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563. Interview with Greta Heisey

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562. Interview with Dee Miller

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561. Embracing God's Love

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560. An Eternal Perspective

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559. Interview with Tina Rains

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558. Come on Down! with Dr. Jia Conway

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557. The Easy Way or the Better Way?

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556. Overcoming the Lens of Rejection

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555. Interview with Jaime Cowhick

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554. Question With Boldness

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553. Open the Door

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552. In Christ, I Can!

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551. A Warning from the Ancients

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550. Interview with Renee Scheidt

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549. I'm God's Choice

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548. The Comparison Trap

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547. Interview with Tewannah Aman

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546. Vote for Your Spirit

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545. Light a Candle

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544. Interview with Sarah Frazer

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543. Interview with Wendy Arelis

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542. Absolute Honesty

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541. Skip Into Joyful Service

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540. Miss Overcomer Interview with Kimberly Hobbs

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539. Laying Down and Giving Up

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538. Interview with Caitlin Benedik

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537. How to Overcome Being Offended

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And Executive Director of Miss Overcomer Global

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And I\\u2019m VERY excited you joined today\\u2026

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 As we explore what the Father wants us to know about himself and who we are as Powerful Ambassadors\\u2026

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 So let\\u2019s get started\\u2026

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1.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 This is the time of year when many of us set goals or resolve to make improvements in our lives.

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2.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 \\xa0\\xa0Today I want to share a few thoughts about a resolution you may not have considered\\u2026 and that is \\u2026

How to Overcome being offended.

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3.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 As we see tensions and conflict mounting on a High-Definition Global scale\\u2026 each of us will be presented with an increased opportunity to be offended.

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4.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 In fact, Jesus instructed in Matthew 24:10 that opportunities to be offended would be on the rise in the last days.

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a.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That because of the increase of wickedness\\u2026 many people\\u2019s hearts would grow cold.

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b.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But\\u2026. as his ambassadors\\u2026 we are called to rise above it and live with a pure heart.

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Let me share a story from my own experience\\u2026

1.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Several years ago, I walked continually offended by the Pornography industry\\u2026

2.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And\\u2026 yes\\u2026 what this industry produces is evil\\u2026

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Nevertheless\\u2026 my response to it was NOT the love of God.

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3.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Finally, I just asked God why I allowed anything Porn related to produce such a visceral response.

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4.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 He told me the issue was my own unbelief.

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I somehow believed the pornography industry was more powerful than the all-sufficient Love of God to save and deliver.

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Also, I had a teenage son at the time\\u2026 and I was fearful of the effects it could have on him if he encountered it.

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Again\\u2026. I was putting all my faith in the power of sin rather than the power of God to save.

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5.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And so\\u2026 my first step was to pray about the unbelief and ask God\\u2019s forgiveness about the offense.

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6.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Several weeks later\\u2026. I was praying about how to become more available to my community with prayer and counseling.

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Share your personal story.

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Conclusion

7.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 We need to see the Provocations as an Invitation\\u2026

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 For Transformation and Restoration\\u2026.

8.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Had I not prayed about my offense towards those enslaved by pornography\\u2026 I would have missed a great miracle.

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Lessons Learned\\u2026

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 When I\\u2019m offended, I am walking in disobedience because I am walking after the flesh.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 When I\\u2019m focused on the offense, I am allowing the enemy to distract my focus Away from the cross.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 When I turn my back on those who offend me, I am turning my back on the opportunity for transformation and restoration (for the other person and myself).

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 1 Corinthians 13 \\u2013 LOVE is not easily Offended\\u2026

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 We are Chosen to be offended for the sake of the Cross!

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 We have the privilege of allowing the offense to drive us to the Cross so the resurrection power of Jesus might be made manifest.

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During this new year, let\\u2019s be intentional to go on Offense about being Offended rather than being defensive distant.

Let\\u2019s purpose in our hearts to see the Provocations as an Invitation for Restoration, Transformation and\\xa0 Resurrection!

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CLOSING REMARKS\\u2026.

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Well\\u2026 It\\u2019s been a pleasure spending time with you today.

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Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast!

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Join us each week as we explore together God\\u2019s extravagant love and your courageous purpose.

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry.

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders.

\\xa0

All content is copyrighted by Tawana Lowery and Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.

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536. Grace for A New Beginning

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535. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Brenda James

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534. Celebrating God's Grace, Experiencing Heart Healing

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533. Walking in the Word - Ready, Set...

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532. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Alyson Croy

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531. Celebrating God's Grace, How to Overcome Disappointment

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2.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But it can also present the greatest opportunity to experience the pain of Disappointment\\u2026

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Though we might not want to readily admit it\\u2026

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Disappointment is big part of life\\u2026 \\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Disappointment hurts and stings\\u2026

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Especially when it involves relationships.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But most of all\\u2026 disappointment steals our joy.

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3.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 During this Podcast, I want to review 3 Strategies that will help us Overcome Disappointment (regardless of the circumstances) AND \\u2026 Keep our Joy!!

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4.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And as the new year approaches, I believe these strategies will arm you with a game plan to Transcend the Disappointment Traps that might arise.

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5.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Like you\\u2026 I\\u2019ve had numerous disappointing experiences.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But one that stands out happened when I was only 8 years old.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And it happened during the holiday season.

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6.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 In those days we still called it a Christmas Party.

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7.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Second only to the last day of school, it was the most anticipated day of the entire year.

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8.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Each hallway and classroom was covered with beautiful decorations.

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9.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And the tantalizing aroma of Christmas Cookies hung like a thick fog, consuming every corner of every room.

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10. Weeks of anticipation followed by hours of celebration concluded with the most exciting part of the day.

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 The Student Gift Exchange!

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11. The ritual consisted of the teacher passing out each gift (in a very orderly fashion of course).

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12. After what seemed a lifetime, she found the present with my name on it.

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13. As she approached my desk, my exuberance quickly devolved into disappointment!

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14. \\xa0Because my sweet teacher wasn\\u2019t holding a beautifully wrapped gift with a shiny bow\\u2026. It was nothing of the sort!

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Instead, she was carrying what appeared to be a ball of aluminum foil\\u2026.

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15. With an awkward wince of embarrassment, she placed the horrifying blob on my desk. \\xa0

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16. Well\\u2026. my initial reaction was total confusion. Surely my name was not on THAT.

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17. \\xa0It wasn\\u2019t even a present\\u2026. Seriously\\u2026 who in their right mind would give a ball of crumpled aluminum foil as a Christmas gift?

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18. Fighting back the crocodile tears, I quickly snatched it off my desk and placed it in my lap\\u2026 trying to remain expressionless.

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19. As I clutched it tightly, in an effort to hide the evidence, I could feel that something was wrapped inside.

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20. I thought\\u2026 \\u201cShould I open it now or wait until I get home?\\u201d

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21. The thoughts were racing back and forth.

22. But soon my 8 year old curiosity took control.

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23. With eyes straight ahead and emotions at bay, I slowly pushed back the foil with my fingertips.

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That\\u2019s when embarrassment gave way to complete bewilderment.

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24. Inside the crumpled ball of foil was a small Plastic Donkey.

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 It was the kind of humble little grey burrow you might see in a Nativity Scene.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 It had very sad eyes and a bowed head.

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25. A donkey! A plastic donkey! What on earth can you do with a plastic donkey?

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Just to add insult to injury, it wasn\\u2019t even new.

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26. As I gazed at this unimaginable nightmare\\u2026 My mind quickly recalled my shopping trip from the previous week.

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27. I thought about the time I invested selecting the perfect gift for my classmate.

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 It was wrapped with tender care, by yours truly.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Then finished to perfection with a lovely bow!

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Yet despite my tireless efforts, this is what I get in return?

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28. You know\\u2026 that event happened more than 40 years ago, and yet the disappointment I experienced is branded in my memory.

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So\\u2026 here\\u2019s the point of the story?

29. Sometimes we give our very best to people and circumstances only to receive a Plastic Donkey in return.

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30. Sometimes situations over which we have no control cause embarrassment and heartache, leaving us with a stomach full of disappointment and let-down.

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31. But\\u2026 What if we could overcome those deflated emotions and bounce back with a fervent determination to Keep our Joy?

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That\\u2019s what these 3 Principles will help you achieve.

The first Principle is\\u2026. \\u201cKeep it in Perspective.\\u201d

1.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 A few days after the Christmas party, my mother learned the details behind the gift I had received.

\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 My classmate, Teresa and her family were struggling. \\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Her father had lost his job, and her mom was fighting a serious illness.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Teresa\\u2019s family had no money and no insurance for medical expenses.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 In fact, the community was providing money for food and other basic needs.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 No doubt, they were facing a very bleak holiday season.

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2.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 My mom also explained how that little plastic donkey was part of their family Nativity Scene.

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And it just so happened, the little sad burrow was Teresa\\u2019s favorite character piece.

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 In actuality, Teresa gave me something very near and dear to her heart.

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 She gave the best she had to offer. You might even say her gift was sacrificial\\u2026 sort of like the offering of the Widows Mite in the Bible.

3.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Although my hurt from the disappointment was real, learning more about Teresa\\u2019s situation shed new light on the entire event.

\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 It helped me view it from a higher perspective.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 As a result, my disappointed heart was transformed into a heart of compassion.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Keeping it in perspective gave me the emotional strength to keep my joy.

\\xa0

\\xa0

The second Principle for Keeping our Joy is\\u2026

\\u201cKeep Giving Your Best.\\u201d

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1.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 When we returned to school after the holidays\\u2026 \\xa0I decided to give Teresa what she had given me.

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 She gave me her best. How could I do any less?

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2.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 For the remainder of the school year, I poured into her life as much as possible.

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I helped her with homework so she could make better grades.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 We sat together at lunch so she wouldn\\u2019t be alone.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Because we were the same size, I gave her some of my clothes and shoes.

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3.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Teresa and Tawana became best buds, and we both excelled because of it.

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4.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 She discovered there was a great student on the inside with the ability to learn and grow.

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5.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I discovered leadership abilities that allowed me to inspire others to excel.\\xa0 \\xa0

6.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Staying true to your core values in the midst of the pain, is vital for overcoming disappointment.

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That includes being intentional to give your best regardless of what other don\\u2019t give you.

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7.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Think about it like this\\u2026

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 If you want to keep your joy, then be sure to engage in activities that set you up to achieve it.

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8.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 After all, it\\u2019s very difficult to give your best while experiencing sadness at the same time.

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Let\\u2019s wrap this up with the third Principle for Keeping our Joy which is to\\u2026 \\u201cKeep Looking for the Good.\\u201d

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1.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 On one of the coldest days of the year, I got caught in a huge traffic jam on the way to have my car heater repaired.

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2.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 The temperature was 35 degrees outside and only slightly warmer inside.

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Not exactly the best day to be stuck in traffic with no heat.

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3.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But while I was sitting in my very frigid car, staring at a endless line of traffic, it brought to light another important truth about overcoming disappointment\\u2026

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 There\\u2019s a big difference between being cold and being left out in the cold. \\xa0

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 The first is simply an unpleasant circumstance of life. The second is a distressing place in life.

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4.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 \\xa0In the same way, there\\u2019s a big difference in being disappointed with a temporary situation of life and being disappointed with life in general.

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Most disappointments we encounter are nothing more than temporary unpleasant interludes between other normal events.

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But problems arise when we allow the occasional let downs of life to create a fatalistic attitude towards life.\\xa0\\xa0

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5.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I\\u2019ve discovered the most effective way to avoid this pitfall is to maintain a posture of gratitude while you\\u2019re in a disappointment.

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6.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Shivering in the car that morning, my choices were very simple. Either complain and grumble or be thankful and humble.

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I chose to wrap my mind in a warm blanket of gratitude.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I decided to focus on the long list of things I was thankful for.

\\xa0

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7.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 \\xa0Of course, I didn\\u2019t relish sitting in a cold car during a two hour traffic jam.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But, I couldn\\u2019t change it.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And, honestly, the situation could have been much worse.

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8.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 So I began to recite (out loud) all I was grateful for.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Things like warm clothes, warm socks and boots,

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 a full tank of gas,

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 a semi-hot cup of coffee,

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 good health,

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 money in the bank,

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 friends and family who loved me,

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 and so on and so on.\\xa0

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9.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 As I focused more and more on the good, my stress began to dissipate.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I became less focused on what was trying to steal my joy and more centered on what would revive it.

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10. I believe when we form the habit of looking for the good in the \\u201cnot so good\\u201d we actually Teach our Minds to be Joyful. \\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0

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Closing

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1.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I\\u2019m not suggesting we should never admit or feel Disappointment.

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2.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 It\\u2019s part of life because \\u2026.

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a.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 We live in a fallen world full of fallen people doing fallen things.

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3.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But I am suggesting that we use the Plastic Donkey\\u2019s of life as a reminder\\u2026 \\xa0

To Keep it in Perspective,

To Keep Giving our Best and

To Keep Looking for the Good.

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4.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 When we do so\\u2026 we Keep our hearts and minds positioned to KEEP our JOY (during the holidays and throughout the year).

\\xa0

\\xa0

\\xa0

All content is copyrighted by Tawana Lowery and Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent

Listed in: religion

530. Walking in the Word, Peace and Joy In His Midst

Listed in: religion

529. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Elaine Septon

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528. Celebrating God's Grace, Grace for the Impossible

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527. Walking in the Word, Jesus' Birth

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526. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Amber McDaniel

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525. Celebrating God's Grace - Hanukkah, the Feast of Rededication

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523. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Peggy Sperling

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522. Celebrating God's Grace, Sitting at the Feet of Jesus

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521. Walking in the Word, Practicing Persistence and Humility

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520. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Erin Jeffreys

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519. Celebrating God's Grace, A Christmas Allegory

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518. Walking in the Word, Jesus Is Waiting

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517. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Daniele Hage

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516. Celebrating God's Grace, Thanksgiving Eternal!

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515. Walking in the Word, Thank You, Jesus!

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514. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Sandy Yozipovic

Listed in: religion

513. Celebrating God's Grace, Get Out of the No Way

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And Executive Director of Miss Overcomer Global

\\xa0

And I\\u2019m so excited you joined today\\u2026

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 As we explore what the Father wants us to know about himself

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 and who we are as Powerful Ambassadors\\u2026

Let\\u2019s get started. \\U0001f60a

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1.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 A few days ago, I was praying about a difficult situation and the complicated dynamics at play.

2.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Although my conscious mind was asking God for wisdom and guidance\\u2026

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 My subconscious mind was thinking, \\u201cthere\\u2019s no way this is ever going to change!\\u201d

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I believe that\\u2019s called Double mindedness\\u2026\\xa0 \\U0001f60a

3.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But\\u2026 thankfully\\u2026 God chose to reply to my subconscious mind (where my true feelings were hiding).\\xa0

4.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And\\u2026 because he loves me too much to let me remain stuck in double mindedness\\u2026\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 He spoke to the secret place where doubt and unbelief were wrestling for control.\\xa0\\xa0

5.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 From his Throne of Mercy\\u2026 he basically checked me!

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 He called me out (so to speak) by reminding me of the words from Psalm 14:1 that reads,\\xa0

\\u201cThe fool has said in (her) heart, there is no God.\\u201d\\xa0

6.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But that is not what I heard God say\\u2026.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Rather he replied,

\\u201cThe fool has said in (her) heart\\u2026 there is No Way!\\u201d\\xa0

7.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I thought\\u2026 WHAT- On- Earth! Did God just bop me in the nose

8.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Well obviously, he got my attention with that nose bob!!

9.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 \\xa0And as he continued speaking to my heart, I realized the BIG truth behind His Big message.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 You see\\u2026. each time I said in my heart \\u201cthere is no way,\\u201d

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I was declaring, \\u201cthere is no God.\\u201d

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I was saying, \\u201cThere is No God big enough to change it or heal it or retore.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I was saying, \\u201cThere is No God big enough to provide for me.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 There is No God that\\u2019s gone ahead of me. No God that has my back.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 There\\u2019s No God intervening on my behalf!\\xa0

10. The truth be told\\u2026 I was factoring the power and love of God completely out of the equation.\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 My thoughts and expectations were misaligned with his Kingdom.

11. Needless to say, repentance came quickly after that revelation.\\xa0\\xa0

12. I asked God to forgive my \\u201cNo Way\\u201d foolish thoughts and replace them with his \\u201cYes Way.\\u201d\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Or the YEShua way!\\xa0

13. I asked for a greater ability to see the situation securely in his hands with the solution already complete\\u2026 with an outcome greater than anything I could dream or imagine!

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Hello Ephesians, 3:20

14. You know\\u2026 I think we can observe this same \\u201cNo Way\\u201d mindset throughout the Scriptures. \\xa0

15. One example that comes to mind is found in Mark 16\\u2026

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 It\\u2019s the story of Mary of Magdala and the mother of Yeshua on their way to the tomb of Jesus.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 The Bibles says they were walking towards the tomb of Jesus to anoint his body.\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Verse 3 gives insight about their thinking with regards to the \\u201cpresumed impossible\\u201d that awaited them.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Verse 3 shares that, \\u201cthey said among themselves, Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 In other words, their subconscious mind was the same as mine\\u2026\\xa0

\\u201cthere is NO WAY we can move this obstacle. It\\u2019s just too much for us to handle. \\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Thankfully, Verse 4 provides a great lesson for us\\u2026\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 It reads, \\u201cBut when they Looked Up, they saw the stone had been rolled away.\\u201d

16. I believe this passage is so insightful and provides a template we can follow.\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 When we\\u2019re trapped in a \\u201cNo Way\\u201d mindset\\u2026we are looking down.\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 We\\u2019re focused on the Bigness of the obstacle rather than the Greatness of God.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That\\u2019s exactly what these 2 women were doing.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 When they Looked Up\\u2026 they saw the Yes Way!\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 They saw the obstacle had already been taken care of.\\xa0

o\\xa0\\xa0 The Stone was already Rolled Away while they were On the Way\\u2026 living in their No Way!

17. \\xa0Okay.. Let\\u2019s look at another example ins found in Matthew 14.

You know it well! \\U0001f60a

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 It\\u2019s the story of Jesus feeding the multitude.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 When he instructed the disciples to feed the crowd, they responded from the natural realm and said\\u2026\\xa0

o\\xa0\\xa0 There\\u2019s NO WAY we can make this happen.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But when they look unto Jesus and he Looked Up to heaven\\u2026 The Problem was already solved.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 They put their \\u201cNo Way\\u201d into the Hands of the \\u201cYes Way,\\u201d\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Into the hands of the \\u201cYESHUA Way!

18. \\xa0Okay\\u2026 Let\\u2019s look at one final example found in 2 Kings, chapter 6.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 We\\u2019ll begin in Verse 11.

\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 In summary\\u2026 the King of Aram was upset that he continued to be out witted by the King of Israel because of Elisha\\u2019s guidance.

\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Out of his enraged wounded ego, he dispatched a mighty army to surround the city where Elisha and his servant were staying.

\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 When the servant awoke the next morning, he had a full-blown panic attack after seeing the mighty chariots that surrounded them.

\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 In his heart he was thinking\\u2026 There\\u2019s NO WAY we can get out of this crisis!

\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But Elisha responded, \\u201cDon\\u2019t be afraid.\\u201d Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.\\u201d

\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Elisha already saw the \\u201cYes Way\\u201d because he had a \\u201cYes Way\\u201d mind.

\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And prayed for the Lord to open the eyes of his servant so he could see it as well!

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Then the\\xa0Lord\\xa0opened the servant\\u2019s eyes, and he looked again and saw the hills full of horses and chariots\\xa0of fire all around.

\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 In other words, the divine solution was firmly in place before the problem arose.\\xa0\\xa0

19. There\\u2019s an important lesson in this story also\\u2026

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 We need to have \\u201cYes Way\\u201d people in our circle.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I\\u2019m not referring to a robotic \\u201cName it and Claim it\\u201d crowd. Much of that is born from fear and unbelief.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I\\u2019m talking about people who have a firm history with the miracle working power of God and enjoy helping others stand strong in it!

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That\\u2019s who Elisha was to his servant.\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And that is the reason the servant was able to release his \\u201cNo Way\\u201d thinking!

20. \\xa0So\\u2026 I have a couple of questions for you:

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What \\u201cNo Way\\u201d statements are you making concerning a particular challenge?

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Where have you subconsciously eliminated God\\u2019s power and love from the equation?

21. \\xa0There\\u2019s no judgment here at all! This is a common trick of the enemy.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 However\\u2026. It\\u2019s imperative that we confess our unbelief in God\\u2019s love and grace so that we can receive truth and revelation\\u2026\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 AND\\u2026 \\xa0so that we have the courage to move forward in faith. \\xa0\\xa0

22. Maybe your \\u201cNo Way\\u201d statements are related to\\u2026\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Your Career or Education pursuits

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Maybe it\\u2019s regarding your Marriage

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Or a close relationship.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Possibly you\\u2019re No Way thoughts are related to your finances

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Or a personal challenge.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Maybe\\u2026 God is calling you into a new opportunity that is outside your comfort zone or financial means!

23. \\xa0Whatever it\\u2019s called\\u2026 we must see it from heavens perspective.\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 We must cease from agreeing with the \\u201cNo Way\\u201d subconscious thinking\\u2026 Because we are saying what Psalm 14:1 says.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And we Do Not want to engage in Foolish Thinking!

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Instead\\u2026 we want to exchange it for the Mind of Christ\\u2026

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 We want the Yes Way mind\\u2026 The Yeshua Way mind.\\xa0

24. \\xa0\\xa0I believe there\\u2019s no better time than this present moment!\\xa0

So let\\u2019s jump in with a few simple steps!

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 First \\u2013 Let\\u2019s confess our No Way thinking to God.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And\\u2026 BTW\\u2026 there\\u2019s No Way it\\u2019s going to surprise him.\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Next\\u2026 if you\\u2019re comfortable with it\\u2026 Just repeat after me.\\xa0

Heavenly Father,

\\xa0Forgive me for all the places where I am operating with a No Way attitude in my heart. Forgive me for my \\u201cNo Way\\u201d subconscious thinking. \\xa0

I now realize that I am basically proclaiming there is \\u201cNo God.\\u201d

Lord, forgive me. I didn\\u2019t know what I was doing.

Thank you that you Never Condemn me. In fact\\u2026 your love is always available to redeem and restore my heart and mind and thoughts!Lord, I cast this No Way thinking on the cross of Jesus to be crucified and made completely dead. And I bring to the cross any unbelief that was created by earthly experiences.

Resurrect me Lord, with a new heart and mind in this area\\u2026

Empower me by your Spirit to walk in the Yes Way\\u2026. In the Yeshua Way.

Show me what the Yes Way looks like to you.

Thank you for the assurance of your love and mercy to guide me each step of the way. \\xa0

In the name above all names\\u2026 Yeshua the King!

\\xa0Amen.

\\xa0

All content is copyrighted by Tawana Lowery and Women World Leaders

and cannot be used without express written consent.

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512. Walking in the Word, Jesus is the Best Foundation

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511. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Michelle Hiatt

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510. Celebrating God's Grace, Grace for Expectations

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509. Walking in the Word, Jesus Teaches on Discernment

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508. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Sara Sahm

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507. Celebrating, God's Grace, God's Grace in Setting us Free from the Kingdom of the World

Therefore, the parable of bringing a light into the room, is a metaphor for the Light of Truth piercing the darkness, which is the Life of Jesus in John 1:4-5. In Him was life and that life is the light of men, and the light pierces the darkness, and the darkness cannot overtake it, put it out, and is unreceptive to the light.

Therefore, JESUS the Light, is greater than the darkness of the world. When we come to Christ Jesus, we work out our salvation in fear and in trembling as in Philippians 2:12, being pruned of the influence of the kingdom of the world. This leads us back to the beginning of this podcast, to the scriptures from Matthew 6.

Jesus is addressing the issue of the body, whether it is consecrated, by exposing that whatever it is you treasure in this life, is where your heart is, either making the conscience pure to reveal the Kingdom of God or darkening it with the kingdom of the world.

This is where grace comes in. All the verses in Matthew 6:1-18, address Jesus\\u2019 instruction of how we can ensure that we\\u2019re free of this world. He starts out by telling us to give, where our left hand doesn\\u2019t know what our right hand is doing. In other words, it is the work of God in us, willing us to give to ministries and others.

Next, Jesus instructs us on praying, and that we\\u2019re not to pray to get attention, but instead we\\u2019re to be humble and pray simply, the Lord\\u2019s prayer. Finally, Jesus instructs us to fast, whereby it frees us from the fleshly appetites of the world.

I can tell you for certain with all my health and wellness clients that I coach, I can always tell who is fasting. Those that fast, have less problems, a deeper prayer life, understanding of the Word, and walk with the Lord.

I also pick up quickly, with the Lord\\u2019s prompting, as I listen to people and the problems they might be dealing with, as well as the areas in which their body needs to be pruned at the receptor level of the kingdom of the world, that the person is missing out on one of the three instructions set forth by Jesus. They might say I\\u2019m fasting and praying, and I then ask, \\u201care you giving? Do you give tithes? Do you give offerings?\\u201d When asked, the reply is generally no. At this time, I then go back to Matthew 6, and remind them of what Jesus, the Son of God, instructed us to do, to be free of the world.

Understand, that before even getting to this point, I\\u2019ve addressed the issue of hormonal imbalance and physical health, to rule out any issue within their own body that might be hindering their ability to follow through. Even more, I know whether they\\u2019re doing the Bittersweet taste test as laid out in scripture that Jesus Christ and John the Baptist did, as well as God calling His people Israel to do, which I teach extensively in Chapters 6 and 9 of Mindfulness the Mind of Christ. It is that taste test that aids the body in being consecrated from the things of this world. God isn\\u2019t just a spiritual God, because He knows how fearful and wonderfully made, we are; He created us. In creating us, He also planned out a natural supplementation through His creation, to aid the body in the process of Romans 12:1-2, being consecrated so the mind can be transformed.

Many people try to get deliverance from the head down to the body, when scripture clearly reveals that the conscience is inside of the heart. The Bittersweet taste test that God reveals in scripture happens to hit the GPCR taste bud in the body. JUST WOW! Moreover, He shows that we have eyes in our heart through the opsin GPCR, which is what Ephesians 1:18 is referring to, that the eyes of our heart be flooded with Light! This is freedom, this is deliverance!

Where is it you need freedom? Are you struggling with the issue of judging others, addictions, or behaviors of the world, causing your conscience to be darkened? If so, read Matthew 6, and Jesus\\u2019 instructions on obtaining freedom, by giving, praying, and fasting.

Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God\\u2019s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders. All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written c

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506. Walking in the Word, The Principles for Judgment

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505. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Stacy Jo Coffee-Thorne

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504. Celebrating God's Grace, The Ability to Stand

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503. Walking in the Word, Our True Treasure

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502. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Kirstin Leigh

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501. Celebrating God's Grace, Grace for Every Season

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500. Walking in the Word, The Practice of Righteousness

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499. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Amanda Jackman

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498. Celebrating God's Grace, God's Grace for the Race

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497. Walking in the Word, Called to Reflect God's Perfection

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496. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Jessica Prukner

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495. Celebrating God's Grace, How to Overcome Anxiety

\\xb7 \\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And Global Ministry Leader

\\xa0

1.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And I\\u2019m VERY excited you joined today\\u2026

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Because we\\u2019re going to explore what the Father wants us to know about himself and who we are as Powerful Ambassadors of his Powerful Kingdom\\u2026\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 So let\\u2019s get started\\u2026\\xa0

2.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 If you\\u2019ve been a follower of Jesus for more than 10 minutes\\u2026

then you\\u2019ve already discovered that the enemy does not want you to be an effective ambassador of the Fathers Kingdom!!

3.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That\\u2019s why he works triple overtime to stop us!!\\xa0

4.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And his method of choice is FEAR\\u2026\\xa0

a.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Fear is his stomping ground.

b.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And he\\u2019s always inviting us to join in the drama!!!

5.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But what really fuels his fire (no pun intended) is when we are Clueless \\xa0about it!\\xa0

6.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 He loves to hide it in the form of something we might not recognize as Fear.\\xa0

a.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That is especially true with regards to Anxiety.\\xa0

b.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Many times, we don\\u2019t recognize the fear issues associated with our Anxiety because we\\u2019re so distracted by the Anxiety itself.\\xa0

7.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Interestingly enough\\u2026 the dictionary actually describes Anxiety as an abnormal or overwhelming sense of fear.\\xa0

That can be triggered by a host of issues such as financial worry, relationship concerns, or just the perpetual uncertainty of life.\\xa0

8.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But Rabbi Paul admonishes us in Philippians 4:6-7 to\\u2026\\xa0

\\u201cNOT be anxious about anything! But instead, surrender the anxiety to the Father in prayer so we can receive his Shalom\\u2026 His perfect peace!

\\xa0

9.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 So\\u2026 if you\\u2019ve been struggling lately with Anxiety in a particular area (or in a lot of areas) then get ready for breakthrough!

Because in this Podcast I\\u2019m going to Expose 2 Common Anxieties that many of us deal with. \\xa0\\xa0

Plus, I\\u2019ll also share the practical steps we can take to Overcome it and walk strong in Freedom.\\xa0

So, the first is called \\u201cAbandonment Anxiety.\\u201d

\\xa0

1.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 For those of us who\\u2019ve experienced the pain of being abandoned (whether by a spouse, a parent, or others), the mere thought of a repeat episode can trigger Severe Anxiety or even panic attacks.

\\xa0

2.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I can totally empathize with this\\u2026\\xa0

a.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I battled with overwhelming Abandonment Anxiety for several years because of my experiences from childhood into my 40s. \\xa0

3.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But I am happy to report, I discovered the way of escape that set me totally free\\u2026\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I accomplished it by casting the imprint of my experiences onto the cross of Yeshua my Savior.\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Although what others did was hurtful and wrong, I had to own how those experiences were impacting me and the lies they tempted me to believe.\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I had to Confess how my abandonment encounters had prejudiced my heart towards the living God.\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 In other words\\u2026. I was fearful that my heavenly Father would treat me in the same manner.\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Jesus died to destroy the manifest works of the Devil\\u2026 And my past experiences with people were manifesting as debilitating fear\\u2026 even towards God.

\\xa0

4.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 After I crucified the fear and the experiences on the cross, it opened my heart to receive the free gift of Faith from the one who promised to Never Ever leave me or Abandon me.

5.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Maybe you\\u2019ve had a similar experience that\\u2019s created Abandonment Anxiety in your life.\\xa0

6.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 If so, you can experience the same freedom I did with these practical steps\\u2026\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 First. ask God to expose the source of your Abandonment Anxiety. We serve the God who speaks and he will speak to you right now.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Then ask him to reveal how those experiences may have prejudiced your heart towards his promises and blocked you from the ability to rest in his unfailing love.\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Next, forgive those who abandoned you.\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Crucify the experiences and the fear on the cross of Jesus.\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And ask the Father to resurrect you as with a new heart and mind to receive Faith and assurance in his unfailing Love. \\xa0

Okay\\u2026

Let\\u2019s wrap up with another Common Anxiety. And this one is probably the least detected\\u2026 but can have the greatest adverse impact on our faith walk and spiritual maturity\\u2026

It\\u2019s called\\u2026 \\u201cAssimilation Anxiety\\u201d

1.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 As we know\\u2026 God is continually calling us into new things that feel very unfamiliar\\u2026 just as he did the saints before us.

\\xa0

2.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 In order to keep in step with what God is calling us into\\u2026

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 We are frequently called to walk into the unknown and away from the familiar.\\xa0

3.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 As expected, it can produce a great deal of fear\\u2026

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Many of us are afraid of the unknown.\\xa0

4.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But maybe it\\u2019s not Fear of the unknown that hinders our walk.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Maybe it\\u2019s simply an idol for the familiar, for the comfortable and for the path of least resistance that creates the fear.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Maybe we\\u2019re simply afraid to release the idol because we\\u2019ve believed it has the power of life and death.\\xa0

\\xa0

5.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 The dangerous component is that our idol for the familiar creates a a stronghold that makes us resistance to Assimilate into the new things Gods has in store.\\xa0

6.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 This is the reason we are admonished throughout the scriptures to forget what lies behind, and to be aware of the new things that are springing up.

7.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 \\xa0Although God never changes\\u2026 he strongly desires to change us from glory to glory, from faith to faith\\u2026 from abounding to more abounding.\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 His desire is that we keep in step with the spirit\\u2026

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That we follow the Grace\\u2026

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And that we do what we see the Father do.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 This is the example Jesus gave us.

\\xa0

8.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And that means breaking free from Assimilation Anxiety.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That means confessing our fear of not having control.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 That means allowing God to have control of our thoughts and imagination about the future.

\\xa0

9.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Often times when considering something new\\u2026 our minds begin to rehearse all the things that could go wrong.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 We start imagining failure.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Not realizing we\\u2019re aligning our imagination with the lies of the enemy!!

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Then our emotions and decisions simply follow suit.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Next thing you know\\u2026 we\\u2019re stuck\\u2026 and can\\u2019t understand why.

\\xa0

10.\\xa0 Sometimes it\\u2019s hard for us to imagine that God has something better than what we can produce for ourselves.

\\xa0

11.\\xa0 But the truth is\\u2026 God always has something better than what we are afraid to release.

\\xa0

12.\\xa0 I was out walking one evening during a season of massive uncertainty. And while I was praying I heard the Lord say\\u2026\\xa0

\\u201cTawana\\u2026 you\\u2019re Never going to have the life you dreamed of. But can you believe that I love you enough to give you something better?

\\xa0

13.\\xa0 Wow\\u2026 not exactly what you want to hear from God when you\\u2019re asking for assurance.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 But\\u2026 he was assuring me of something\\u2026

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I just wasn\\u2019t something I had considered before.

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14.\\xa0 Although his statement was extremely unexpected\\u2026

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 He was trying to help me understand the importance of letting go of my idol for the Small Familiar so I could receive the Big New Future he had planned from the foundation of the world.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Truthfully\\u2026. I was unaware how the fear had developed into an idol until the spirit of truth spoke truth to my heart.

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15.\\xa0 Once the Fear was outta the bag\\u2026 I had to repent of the idol for the familiar so I could receive the NEW THING that was about to spring up!

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 I had to release the Assimilation Anxiety that was stopping me.

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16.\\xa0 When you think about it\\u2026 the Scriptures are overflowing with promise about the goodness of God that is always waiting for us.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Psalm 23

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Jeremiah 29:11

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 And many, many more.

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17.\\xa0 However\\u2026. We can\\u2019t receive his restful assurance until we release the fear\\u2026 and the idol for the familiar.

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18.\\xa0 Only then can our hearts and minds Assimilate into the good things\\u2026 the new things\\u2026 and the better things that await.

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19.\\xa0 Maybe you\\u2019re facing a call into the unknow and away from the familiar. Maybe your struggling with Assimilation Anxiety.

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20.\\xa0 If so\\u2026 then we can use the same practical steps we reviewed with the other anxieties to break free and move forward.

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\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 \\xa0Step one\\u2026 Confess or truth tell about the Idol and the fear.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Admit that you have it.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 It\\u2019s not going to surprise God.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 In fact\\u2026 he rejoices when we walk in truth. He LOVES it.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Next, let\\u2019s ask the Lord to reveal how the idol was formed\\u2026

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 AND the lies it has tempted you to believe\\u2026. about him, about yourself, and about your future.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 \\xa0Now\\u2026 we\\u2019ll ask forgiveness for believing the lies and for putting our trust in an idol for the familiar instead of faith in Jesus.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Next, take the lies and the idol to the cross to be crucified.

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Lastly\\u2026 we will ask to be resurrected in Christ Jesus so we can receive a new heart, a new mind and a brand-new life.\\xa0

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AMEN!!!

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Well\\u2026 It\\u2019s been an absolute pleasure spending time with you today.

And I hope this simple message has helped shed light on common fear and anxieties that try to stop us\\u2026AND\\u2026 how to overcome them by the Blood of the Lamb and the Power of the Cross.

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Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast!

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God\\u2019s extravagant love and your courageous purpose.\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry.\\xa0

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders.\\xa0

All content is copyrighted by Tawana Lowery and Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.

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494. Walking in the Word, Jesus Teaches the Heart of the Matter

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493. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Kelley Rene

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492. Celebrating God's Grace, Grace for my Failures

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491. Walking in the Word, Jesus Teaches About the Law

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490. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Alicia Renee Roberts

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489. Celebrating God's Grace, Inspection Time

The English letters that spell the Hebrew word for pass are A.B.A.R. When I look at the English spelling of this Hebrew word, I cannot help but see the two words A BAR! You\\u2019ve heard the saying \\u201craise the bar.\\u201d The term \\u201craise the bar\\u201d originated from athletic games referring to the pole vault and high jump. This can be likened to 2 Corinthians 3:18.

\\u201cAnd all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.\\u201d 2 Corinthians 3:18 AMPC

Our bar each year, as we approach the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement, is to go from glory to glory, being transformed into the image of Christ. Glory comes from the Greek word doxa pronounced dox\'-ah meaning, \\u201cglory, dignity, honor, worship, and praise.\\u201d [ii] This comes from the Greek word dok\\xe9\\u014d pronounced dok-eh\'-o meaning, \\u201cto think, seem good, pleasure, etc.\\u201d What I can relate to with this primary Greek word for glory is that it means \\u201cTO THINK!\\u201d Immediately my mind goes to Jeremiah 29:11, where God\\u2019s thoughts towards us are to give us a hope and a future. Thus, as we go from glory to glory in the Word of Truth being transformed into the image of Christ\\u2019s character, WE THINK GOD\\u2019S THOUGHTS!

This is what the bar looks like in the individual Christian\\u2019s life. We think more in align with God\\u2019s heart, seeing through the eyes of Love, having mercy on others, without judgment, to believe and pray as the Father leads us. This is the power of love. This is what my husband and I did when we cleaned our son\\u2019s room. We didn\\u2019t point out all the grossness of the things we found, that made me want to put on a hazmat suit. We didn\\u2019t think he was awful or horrible. Why? Because we love him! We see him through love\\u2019s eyes. We saw his room already as being clean before we finished, because that\\u2019s how we see him.

What is absolutely wild, is that I waited for the inspection on Monday, and it never happened. So as the day went on, I decided to look at the email again. I know for certain I saw the word \\u201cMonday,\\u201d for the inspection, and thought they would come late. Low and behold, as I reread the email, it said the inspection would be THURSDAY! We cleaned up several days ahead, prepared and waited for the inspection. All I could do was give a sigh of relief, thanking God that I read it wrong. Otherwise, I would have done all the cleaning myself, not asking for help from my husband. With this relief, I just pondered on the Hebrews 4 rest of the Lord, the Seventh Day rest, represented in the seven-day celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles. Think of this, how we\\u2019ll be blessed that we did what the Lord prescribed for us on earth, preparing for heaven.

The sheep passing under the bar as in Ezekiel, for eternity are those who will tabernacle with God. And for us on earth are those who can cross over into the New Year, becoming more like Christ.

I couldn\\u2019t help but think how it would be if we treated everyday as though we were preparing for an inspection with God. We\\u2019d be a little kinder, more long suffering, forgiving others quickly, being slow to anger, and serving others with the love of Christ.

As we continue in the Fall Feasts, let\\u2019s celebrate the fact that we will be caught up one day with the Lord and tabernacle with Him eternally. In this celebration let\\u2019s rejoice that we\\u2019re all going to be together, treating each other with respect and honor, to enter the place of God\\u2019s approval, being a faithful servant of the Lord, to hear \\u201cwell done, my good and faithful servant, enter the joy of the Lord!\\u201d

Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast! Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God\\u2019s extravagant love and your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders. All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without express written consent.

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Listed in: religion

488. Walking in the Word, Jesus Teaches to be Salt and Light

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487. Empowering Lives with Purpose, In Honor of Mary Kay Inglis

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486. Celebrating God's Grace, God Is Faithful

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485. Walking in the Word, The Beatitudes, Part 2 of 2

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484. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Kim and Christian Mayberry, pt. 2

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483. Celebrating God's Grace, How to Plant a Mustard Seed

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482. Walking in the Word, The Beatitudes, Part 1 of 2

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481. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Kim and Christian Mayberry, pt. 1 of 2

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480. Celebrating God's Grace, A Problem of Pride

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479. Walking in the Word, Trusting God's Control

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478. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Kimberly Ewell

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477. Celebrating God's Grace, Beat the Heat

Having been a football cheerleader in junior high and high school, I cannot help but be God\\u2019s cheerleader for His people, encouraging them in the midst of their fiery trial. For many years while preaching, when using 1 Peter 1:6-7 I\\u2019ve used a visual like that of a hall. I would tell people to imagine if at the end of a sermon, instead of an altar call, people lined up to give cheers of joy for those who were experiencing fiery trials.

Can you imagine if you were at church and people were lined up on two sides to welcome those who were going through fiery trials in their life, saying, \\u201cWoo Hoo! Glory to God! You are blessed!\\u201d It would be a totally different perspective for God\\u2019s people, with everyone being excited at the working of the saint\\u2019s faith.

Our faith is tested by pure fire. The Greek word for fire is p\\u0177r pronounced poor meaning, \\u201cfire and fiery.\\u201d [iii] The pronunciation of the Greek word for fire, sounds like poor, and gives an entire new meaning to Joel 3:10 \\u201clet the poor say I am rich!\\u201d

The last few weeks it\\u2019s been so hot here in Birmingham, Alabama that my husband, Rich, and I have been making protein shakes and salads mostly, for dinner. The temperature index is in the 100s and with all the humidity, it feels like a brick oven when walking outside. In addition to the hot temperatures, I just recently experienced some symptoms of perimenopause, and for the first time in my female life, understand what a hot flash is. I told my husband, who works at a cemetery and has to go outside at times, to imagine how he feels going out to the cemetery in this heat and sweating, telling him that\\u2019s how I feel internally, all throughout the day, with 50 are more hot flashes a day, and 20 or so night sweats each night. Man oh man, I have more sympathy than before, for women going through perimenopause, because the only way I can describe my experience, is that it feels like I\\u2019m in hell banging on the door to get out.

Fortunately, not all women experience the severity of the symptoms that I have. But with these symptoms, it compelled me pray for lost souls, thinking if this is anything close to how people will experience hell, I don\\u2019t want them to go there.

Without a doubt at the present time, while I wait for my doctor to put me on hormone treatment in order to get relief, I can surely appreciate 1 Peter 1:6-7, and the refining of our faith.

One thing I noticed with the increase of the heat this summer, that people are driving more crazy than usual. Just the other day while driving to the store and back, 3 different drivers were driving recklessly and nearly ran into me. I asked God, what in the world was going on. It was then that He brought to my mind \\u201cRobin, you have to Beat the Heat!\\u201d

I rejoiced in the fact that although I\\u2019m in the most uncomfortable time physically in my entire life, I\\u2019ve had such a gracious mood by the Holy Spirit. It has been God\\u2019s grace that has kept me joyful, not taking my own personal physical struggle out on others, with the many stories you hear from women, who\\u2019ve dealt with hormonal imbalance. Going through this change in life personally, and getting the necessary education to equip me in navigating through this time of my life with grace, has made me all the more passionate to give women the important information to beat the heat of menopause and perimenopause issues in their life, with joy and grace.

Now think of these different examples. One is an internal fire going on physically, and with the reckless drivers, people acting crazy in their own fire around you. This is what it\\u2019s like when you\\u2019re in a fiery trial, there are fears within and fighting without that you are overcoming as in 2 Corinthians 7:5.

You must be at rest, knowing the peace of God, so that Jesus in you, is revealed. What does this mean. Your character is more like Christ.

My favorite barbecue sauce on ribs or a pulled pork sandwich is SWEET HEAT BARBECUE SAUCE. Think about the combination of those words. I can just imagine smacking on some good ole ribs right now with some of that sweet heat barbecue sauce. I don\\u2019t mind even if I make a mess and get it all over my hands because it tastes so good. That\\u2019s how we need to be in our trials, the Word of God tastes so good, that spiritually its like that sweet heat barbecue sauce.

Women of God, are you in the heat of a fiery trial? Beat the Heat and be Sweet and watch how good God\\u2019s Word tastes to your soul, as Christ is revealed.

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God Bless!

Robin Kirby-Gatto

Listed in: religion

476. Walking in the Word, Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead

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475. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Robia Scott

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474. Celebrating God's Grace, I Will Restore the Years the Locusts Have Eaten

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473. Walking in the Word, Jesus Cares for Martha and Mary

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471. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Tawana Lowery

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471. Celebrating God's Grace, The Power of Prayer

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470. Walking in the Word, Lazarus' Death

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469. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Kelly Williams Hale

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468. Celebrating God's Grace, Crazy Prayer

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467. Walking in the Word - Lead Well, with Forgiveness & Faith

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466. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Dana Cryer, Pt. 2

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465. Celebrating God's Grace, The Concession of Grace

As you seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, God adds all things unto you. (Matthew 6:33) The evidence of seeking the Kingdom of God, knowing that the Kingdom of Heaven is near, is that you have JOY! Joy in Isaiah 61:7 is the Hebrew word simch\\xe2h pronounced sim-khaw\' meaning, \\u201cblithesomeness or glee, exceeding, exceedingly, gladness, joy, joyfulness, mirth, pleasure, rejoice, and rejoicing.\\u201d [ii] The Hebrew letters that compose the word joy are Sheen, Mem, Chet, and Hey. The Hebrew symbol for Sheen is like a jagged \\u201cW\\u201d and the picture for teeth, meaning \\u201cto consume\\u201d in the positive and \\u201cdevour\\u201d in the negative. The Hebrew letter Mem mentioned earlier is the symbol of water and in the positive indicates massive, as well as depict flooding. Chet is the ancient symbol of a fence or chamber and means separated and secret place. Finally, we saw Hey earlier meaning, \\u201cto reveal.\\u201d Therefore, the word picture for joy is BEING CONSUMED IN THE SECRET PLACE AS YOU ARE MASSIVELY FLOODED WITH WORSHIP THAT IS REVEALED.

God began to speak to me about the word \\u201cconcession,\\u201d since the apartment management is giving us a concession on our rent. Concession means in our circumstance, \\u201ca preferential allowance or rate given by an organization.\\u201d [iii] It can also mean a commercial operation that brings refreshments. satan was cast down from heaven, as his heart was lifted in pride, bringing merchandise into heaven. (Ezekiel 28:16) The Hebrew word for merchandise comes from the root word meaning \\u201cmerchant.\\u201d Merchandise is composed of the Hebrew letters Resh, Kaph, Lamed, and Hey. Resh is the ancient symbol of a man\\u2019s face and means, head, highest, and person. We saw the symbols for Kaph meaning, \\u201ccover or allow,\\u201d Lamed meaning \\u201ctongue, control, and authority,\\u201d and finally Hey meaning \\u201creveal.\\u201d Therefore, the word picture for merchandise is THE TONGUE THAT IS ALLOWED TO CONTROL THE PERSON, IS REVEALED. This is the stranger\\u2019s voice that Jesus refers to in John 10:5. His sheep will not listen to the stranger\\u2019s voice, but only the voice of their Good Shepherd.

A concession stand at a ballgame is normally filled with fast foods, and generally has a selection of candy. I couldn\\u2019t help but see the concession stand of the enemy during people\\u2019s trials, as they allow his lie to continue to speak to their heart and mind, and they look at all things, through the lens of the kingdom of the world, which is \\u201cgood or bad,\\u201d from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Moreover, I couldn\\u2019t help but think of candy at a concession stand, and how sugar makes you feel good initially with a sugar rush, and in time, causes you to crash. Furthermore, it\\u2019s the sugar in alcohol, which is ethanol, that gets a person drunk.

The concession stand of the enemy is in the kingdom of the world, for those whose eyes are not fixed on God, which causes people to be drunk with pride during the trial. Pride is revealed as complaining creeps in, making a person feel good, getting the sugar-coated message of the world. I saw clearly that those who stay focused on the world, gripe and complain in their trials, and are forever at the concession stand of the world.

Understand, this doesn\\u2019t mean you won\\u2019t experience hard times in life. Rather, in the hard times of life, you keep your eyes on God, and He brings heaven down! He lifts you into Joy, giving you a double portion of honor as your reward!

God began to show me, how the joy of the Lord on my husband and me, amid this renovation, caused us to have favor with God and man, as in Proverbs 3:3-4, as we were honored by management with a deduction from our next month\\u2019s rent. Moreover, the crazy thing is, we\\u2019re the first apartment they\\u2019re finishing, although we were the last one, they started on. What came to mind was the last shall be first.

When this all started, the tenant, who lived three flights beneath us, had been bothered and complained so much that she ended up leaving. I couldn\\u2019t help but see the power of not complaining and keeping your eyes on the things that are above. (Colossians 3:1-3)

When we\\u2019re in trials, we should be exceedingly glad, as in 1 Peter 1:6-7. It is the testing of our faith, which is being brought forth more precious than gold, to reveal Christ Jesus in us the Hope of Glory. Our faith results from keeping our eyes on God, where we\\u2019re in the overflow of God\\u2019s joy, which is our strength, seeing Heaven\\u2019s reward in our life.

Where is it in your life that you\\u2019re complaining? Keep your eyes on God and watch Him reward you with joy and give you honor!

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464. Walking in the Word, Will the Angels Carry You Away?

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463. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Dana Cryer, Part I

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462. Celebrating God's Grace, You Are Not What You Are Going Through

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461. Walking in the Word, Imitate God's Love

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460. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Stacy Thomas

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458. Walking in the Word, Strength Through Grace

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457. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Lisa Hathaway

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456. Celebrating God's Grace, Meeting God in Prayer

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455. Walking in the Word, Jesus Heals Two Women

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454. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Tina Kadolph

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453. Celebrating God's Grace, The Gift of Miracles

God\\u2019s grace is continually working through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The working of miracles is distinguished from the gift of faith and that of healing. As I mentioned in the prior podcast I did on the Gift of Faith, # 441, the Gift of Faith, is God\\u2019s faith, added to our faith. Although I haven\\u2019t gotten into the gift of healing, you will come to find out that it\\u2019s specifically for the healing of dis-ease and the brokenhearted.

In relation to the gift of miracles, this can happen in many circumstances, both with things in the natural, such as God parting the Red Sea, and times, when God\\u2019s authority is being manifested in supernatural signs of removing congenital disease, someone paralyzed who walks, creating new organs in a person\\u2019s body, or delivering a person from the point of death. When it comes to a miracle it\\u2019s a sign, SHOWING GOD\\u2019S AUTHORITY. Whereas the gift of healing is the Great Physician\\u2019s work on keeping people well mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Let\\u2019s go to miracles in the Word of God, beginning with Israel coming out of Egypt. In Exodus 3, God spoke to Moses at a burning bush, where he called him to Go to Egypt and to tell Pharoah the Lord\\u2019s message \\u201clet My people go.\\u201d Moses then asked God, when he went to the children of Israel in Egypt to prepare them, Who should I say sent me, God responded \\u201cI Am that I Am\\u201d has sent you.

\\u201cI Am\\u201d in Hebrew is h\\xe2y\\xe2h pronounced haw-yaw meaning, \\u201cto exist, be or become, come to pass, accomplished, committed, happen, etc.,\\u201d [ii] Therefore, the gift of miracles shows God exists and all that He is committed to, will be accomplished and come to pass. His promises are yes and amen!

\\u201cWhen Pharaoh says to you, Prove [your authority] by a miracle, then tell Aaron, Throw your rod down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.\\u201d Exodus 7:9 AMPC

God instructed Moses to use the rod for miraculous purposes, which would prove the authority in which Moses came, the Great I Am, demonstrating that God exists, there is none like Him.

In Exodus 7, miracle in Hebrew is m\\xf4wph\\xeath pronounced mo-faith meaning, \\u201cconspicuousness, a miracle, a token, sign, and wonder.\\u201d [iii] Isn\\u2019t it amazing that the Hebrew word for miracle sounds like MO-FAITH or should I say MORE FAITH? Let\\u2019s look at the Hebrew letters that compose it, which are Mem, Vav, Pey, and Tav. The ancient symbols from the Old Hebrew of these letters, combine to form a word picture, revealing the nature of what a miracle is on a deeper level.

The first letter Mem is the ancient symbol of water, and looks like a three humped \\u201cM,\\u201d meaning, \\u201cmassive and flooding,\\u201d in the positive. Vav is the ancient symbol of a tent peg or nail and means, \\u201cto add and secure.\\u201d Pey is the ancient symbol of a mouth that is opened, and means, \\u201copen, word, and speak.\\u201d Finally, Tav is the ancient symbol of an \\u201cX\\u201d or a cross, and means, \\u201csign, seal, mark, and covenant.\\u201d Therefore, the word picture for miracle is THE MASSIVE FLOODING OF THE WORD THAT IS A SIGN OF COVENANT.

Thus, the Gift of Miracles through the Holy Spirit, demonstrates the authority of God\\u2019s Word and that He exists, there is none like Him.

In John 4:47-54, Jesus was coming from Judea into Galilee, at which time a royal official came from Capernaum, where his son lay dying, to ask Jesus to heal his son. Jesus spoke to the man to go in peace, for his son would live. The royal official headed home, when then a servant came running to give him the good news that his son was better, and that the fever broke. The royal official asked the servant when it happened. It was at the exact time Jesus spoke to him that his son would live. This was the second miracle of Jesus.

All throughout the Bible, miracles occur to demonstrate the authority of God Almighty. The enemy of our soul wants to hinder us from seeing the ability for God to do a miracle, by causing us to be double-minded and putting it in our heart that God won\\u2019t perform it. If we give into this tactic, fear will rob our faith, and cause us to speak negatively. We need MORE FAITH, MIRACLE WORKING FAITH!

I remember when my oldest son had been in a drug house for two years, God grabbed a hold of my heart and instructed me to brag about my oldest son like I did my youngest. When other people would ask me how he was, I would boast about how awesome he is. I agreed to do as the Lord instructed, and immediately followed suit.

I\\u2019ll never forget during this time, when I went to the movies, a woman asked me how my oldest son was. I just boasted about how proud my husband and I were of him, and she looked at me like I was an alien with four heads. I found out later that she had seen my oldest son the day prior, and their exchange made it evident to her that he wasn\\u2019t doing well, and that our relationship was on the outs.

Shortly after obeying God, on Mother\\u2019s Day of 2011 (May 8^th), my son was set free and came out of the drug house, knowing the power of Holy Spirit, as God had shown him the demons that were involved with his addiction. I knew that God did a miracle in delivering my son and bringing him back to the Lord. He demonstrated His authority over the powers of hell.

When someone operates in the gift of miracles, it\\u2019s the grace of God on them showing a sign of His authority. Greater is Jesus in us, than he who is in the world.

On another occasion in 2012, when ministering in South Carolina at a minister\\u2019s retreat, I ministered to individuals after having preached. A woman came up to receive ministry, when then I saw a huge rope knotted up and stuck in her ear. My spiritual eyes were open, and upon seeing this, the Lord said \\u201cRobin, pull that rope out of the woman\\u2019s ear.\\u201d

I obeyed and told her \\u201cGod showed me there\\u2019s a rope in your ear and I have to pull it out.\\u201d I just did a demonstration of it, and prayed whilst doing it, when then the woman started jumping up and down shouting. I looked at her in amazement, wondering why she was so excited, when she proclaimed, \\u201cI have been deaf in that ear, and NOW I CAN HEAR!\\u201d

Lastly, when I was in the mission field in 2011 for a month in the Philippines, preaching and ministering, we had taken a flight into Tacloban on the Island of Samar and were in route on a van to Catarman, which was four hours north. It was about midnight when the van broke down about half-way. The taxi driver got out to see what the problem was. For the next two hours, he would go back and forth from underneath the engine, where oil had gotten all over him. I began to wonder if there was any oil left in the vehicle.

Shortly after having been broken down, a bunch of Muslims came out and congregated behind the vehicle. The taxi driver\\u2019s wife stood outside by her husband to help him. My friend opened the van door, anxious to go look for help, at which I informed her by no means was she to get out of the van. Our windows were cracked to let air in as well. During this time a Muslim man in his early twenties passed by the van to do recon for the group, caught a glimpse of me, at which time we locked eyes. I\\u2019ve never felt the hate that I did from that man, who was oppressed heavily by a demonic spirit.

In the invisible realm, God showed me the demon jumping on top of our vehicle, and I felt it\\u2019s heaviness all over me. Immediately the taxi driver\\u2019s wife, heard what the Muslim men were going to do to us and shouted, \\u201cSHUT THE DOOR!\\u201d My other two friends were in front of me, while I stayed in the back, looking out of the window, as the Muslim men carried weapons, and were now coming to surround our van.

God instructed me to post on Facebook that we needed prayers immediately. He then said \\u201cRobin, close your eyes, and focus on Me!\\u201d I closed my eyes tightly, to shut out all fear. Then God said, \\u201cRobin worship Me.\\u201d I began to hum, \\u201cI love you Lord, and I lift my voice, to worship you, oh my soul rejoice.\\u201d Suddenly the heaviness lifted. God then said, \\u201cRobin, open your eyes.\\u201d I looked, AND ALL THE MUSLIM MEN, WHO HAD WEAPONS SURROUNDING OUR VEHICLE WERE VANISHED, THEY WERE COMPLETELY GONE!

God showed me that He had sent an angel of the Lord to protect us and that it so frightened them that they ran, HE HAD PERFORMED A MIRACLE!

That is the power of the gift of miracles, when the need arises for God\\u2019s authority to overcome the powers of darkness, proving that HE REIGNS; HE IS THE GREAT I AM!

Is there something in your life that seems utterly impossible? If so, you are in a position for the grace of God to be poured out by the Holy Spirit through the gift of miracles! Only believe!

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452. Walking in the Word, All for the Master

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451. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Vanessa Jackson

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450. Celebrating God's Grace, Competing Voices

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449. Walking in the Word, Jesus is the Bread of Life

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448. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Julie Harwick

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447. Celebrating God's Grace, Honoring our Fathers and our Heavenly Father

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446. Walking in the Word, He Leaves the 99

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445. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Sheila Erwin

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444. Celebrating God's Grace, Heart Healing with Jesus

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443. Walking in the Word, Seeking the Lost

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442. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Dr. Chidi Kalu

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441. Celebrating God's Grace, The Gift of Faith

Years ago, when I taught on faith with the different gates of Jerusalem, from the book of Nehemiah, God showed me that faith equals commitment, as well as friendship. You cannot have faith without friendship, and you cannot have commitment without faith. Whoever or whatever you\\u2019re committed to, reveals who or what you\\u2019ve made your friend. You rely on your closest friends, because of the confidence that has blossomed in the trusting relationship.

For example, a husband and wife show their commitment publicly with their marriage vows. Marriages that survive and thrive are those based on Christ Jesus, as well as love and friendship with one another.

Likewise, as we mature in our relationship with God, we build a deeper friendship. Jesus told the disciples in John 15:15, no longer did He call them servants but friends. Moreover, that He told His secrets to His friends. Sonship and friendship are the two pillars of our faith, which I write about extensively in my book, Rev 22:2. Our individual faith will never deepen, if we don\\u2019t understand that we\\u2019re a child and friend of God. Jesus acknowledges in John 15:14 that those who do what He commands, are His friends.

Our faith and commitment to God is based on a personal relationship we have with Him, not on someone else\\u2019s relationship with God. This is why the primary Greek word from which faith comes, means \\u201cmake friend.\\u201d

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Holy Spirit comes according to the need, as revealed in the last teaching I did, podcast number 429 \\u201cCelebrating God\\u2019s Grace the Gift of Prophecy.\\u201d Jesus taught in the parable after the Lord\\u2019s prayer in Luke 11 on the bread, showing that God supplies the power of Holy Spirit according to the need. \\xa0

If we, as parents, provide for our children\\u2019s needs, how much more will God provide us the grace required through His Holy Spirit for what we need. The gift of faith is given to us in times of difficulty and is different than our individual faith. Our individual faith is our commitment to Christ Jesus, as a Christian. This can be seen in Paul\\u2019s writing to the church of Ephesus.

8 For it is by free grace (God\\u2019s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ\\u2019s salvation) THROUGH [YOUR] FAITH. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; 9 Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law\\u2019s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.] Ephesians 2:8-9 AMPC

When we come into salvation through Jesus Christ, God\\u2019s grace works through OUR FAITH. Our salvation isn\\u2019t based on our own works, but entirely on the grace of God, at work with our faith, the manifestation of what we believe. The difference between our personal faith and the gift of faith, is that the gift of faith IS GOD\\u2019S FAITH on top of our faith.

Imagine obtaining a mortgage on a house and putting down a 20% down payment. You don\\u2019t own the house, but have a commitment to buy the house, and arrange for monthly payments. The down payment can be likened to our individual faith. However, the gift of faith would be that you\\u2019ve paid the down payment and discovered you don\\u2019t have the money to pay the mortgage off. In that circumstance, the Mortgage Company comes in and immediately pays the other 80%. The mortgage company paying the rest is analogous to God\\u2019s faith operating by grace through the gift of faith. It gets us out of a rock and a hard place.

I call these rock-and-hard place times \\u201cthe pit.\\u201d These are times of complete darkness, where you feel the only one near you is Jesus Christ alone. You find yourself in a crisis, uncertain as to how you\\u2019re going to get out or when that might be. Or maybe it is a wayward child for whom you\\u2019re believing the fullness of salvation and God\\u2019s deliverance.

These pit moments are faith opportunities, which will require more than your faith. It will require the gift of faith! I couldn\\u2019t help but see the Greek word for faith spelled P.I.S.T.I.S. As I looked at the word and took the first \\u201cs\\u201d out of it, I saw the two words \\u2018PIT IS.\\u201d The pit is the place of GOD\\u2019S FAITH! Even more, I couldn\\u2019t help but think of car pistons when looking at the Greek word for faith and seeing it as an example of the gift of faith at work inside of us. Taking the first and last \\u201cs\\u201d out of pistons you have \\u201cPIT ON.\\u201d The pit is the switch that flips God\\u2019s faith on in your life.

An internal combustion engine of a car generates its power through compressed air that mixes with fuel, contained in individual cylinders. For example, a four-cylinder engine looks like four individual pits. Within each pit/cylinder is a piston. These pistons look like a platform of sort and are pushed down by the mixture of air and fuel coming into the cylinder. It\\u2019s almost like a suction cup, when the pistons are pushed down. The pistons being pushed down rotate the crankshaft, basically moving the engine parts. Within the cylinder is a spark plug at the top of the pit, where once the air and fuel mixture come in, while the piston is lowering, pulling it in, ignites it with fire! Isn\\u2019t that powerful?

This is a great description of the gift of faith. It is the platform for God to spark our faith with His faith! To get us moving out of our pit, into the place of His promise!

I went through an unexpected divorce in 1997 and found myself a single mother of two boys, ages one and six. I\\u2019d always gone to church, ensuring my sons had the heritage of being brought up in church. I was in the first semester of graduate school for social work and a week before midterm exams when this occurred. Initially, I pressed into God and tried to look for solace and answers. Within about six months of the divorce, the social worker in me kicked in, and I went to two divorce recovery programs. One was Sunday mornings at the Baptist church, and another on Tuesday evenings at the Catholic Church.

Upon attending, I made friends with two women. As I got to know them, we began to fellowship at each other\\u2019s house. One night visiting, they had a bottle of wine and asked me if I wanted some, to which I replied yes. I then began medicating my pain with alcohol, which led to me becoming a somewhat functioning alcoholic by late 1999.

I still attended church, worked, took care of my sons, all the while loathing my addiction to alcohol. Little by little my tolerance built up, to where I was drinking about 12 beers a day, at least 4 days a week. My sheets would get bleached from where the alcohol came out of my body. I finally gave up on anything but white sheets, because inexpensive or designer sheets, no matter how incredible they seemed, would get bleached like a body outline of a crime scene.

I married Rich Gatto, in December 2001. He knew that I had some issues, but wasn\\u2019t around me as much, since he lived in Connecticut and I in Alabama. He commuted the first year of our marriage from Connecticut to Alabama, seeing me one to two times a month.

I was in a deep dark pit that I couldn\\u2019t get myself out of. Around the time of our marriage, God spoke to my heart, and said Robin, you\\u2019re going to be set free. He brought John 8:32 to my heart, \\u201cYou shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.\\u201d

God gave me the gift of faith and had me speak that I wasn\\u2019t an alcoholic. He gave me scriptures to proclaim, Jeremiah 29:11-13, 1 Corinthians 2:16; and 2 Corinthians 5:21. Although, I hadn\\u2019t been set free immediately, it begin to stir me up with great faith, in God\\u2019s Word. Then on Resurrection Sunday 2002, Rich and I went to church, when something unexpectedly happened.

During the offertory song something special happened, the choir sung Nicole C. Mullin\\u2019s \\u201cMy Redeemer Lives.\\u201d I had the album and been to her concert, and above all songs, this was my favorite. My heart began pounding fast. Freaking out, uncertain as to what was occurring, I looked down at my heart, while everyone was sitting. The pastor was going around the pews shaking hands, and I was silently pleading for him to hurry and pass me, because I didn\\u2019t know what was going on, and I felt like my heart would explode.

As soon as the pastor passed, I heard this voice say \\u201cRobin, stand up!\\u201d Immediately I stood up, and it seemed as though this amber colored light came from the ceiling on me, I lifted my hands, and my entire body began to shake! I was perplexed and in rapture, clueless as to what was happening. Rich, watching this occurrence, stood beside me with his hand on my back. My legs were weak, but it felt as though I was being pulled up. Then suddenly, the power of God hit me, and chains fell off, where the powers of darkness were completely broken! I was set free! I was no longer an alcoholic!

Do you see this, women? The gift of faith in my pit of bondage was the spark needed to lift me up out of the darkness, to know the truth and be set free!

Where is it that you need the gift of faith? What pit have you been in?

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440. Walking in the Word, Becoming Jesus' Disciple

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439. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Kristy Furlow-Green

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438. Celebrating God's Grace, Meditate on God's Word

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437. Walking in the Word, All Are Invited

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436. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Cindy Rosenthal

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435. Celebrating God's Grace, The Gift of Grace

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434. Walking in the Word, Blessed Motherhood

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433. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Katharine Ward

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432. Celebrating God's Grace, Music and Health

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431. Walking in the Word, The Power to Serve

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430. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Shawna V. Sun

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429. Celebrating God's Grace, The Gift of Prophecy

28 \\u201cAnd afterward I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. 29 Even upon the menservants and upon the maidservants in those days will I pour out My Spirit.\\u201d Joel 2:28-29 AMPC

The Holy Spirit, Who is at the Throne of God as seven torches of Fire, does not speak His own message, but only what the Father says. (See Revelation 4:5; John 16:13) Thus, this gift of prophecy is God\\u2019s grace by the Holy Spirit at operation inside of us, to speak edification according to the need.

Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray in Luke 11, saying \\u201cgive us this day our daily bread.\\u201d (See Luke 11:3) Immediately after the Lord\\u2019s prayer, Jesus depicts what the bread represents. He describes a man who had need of bread, since he had visitors over at his house. He then goes to a friend\\u2019s house to ask for bread at midnight and knocks on his door. The friend tells him to leave because it was late, and his children were sleeping. That didn\\u2019t stop the guy from knocking on the door, and finally the friend got up and gave him as much as he \\u201cneeded.\\u201d Jesus then goes on to explain that we are to keep asking, seeking, and knocking, and the Father will open the door to give us the gift of the Holy Spirit. (See Luke 11:5-13)

There are times in your life when you need a personal cheerleader, you need to be edified. Moreover, there are times that you will come across others who need to be edified. In such times, the Lord God supplies us with grace to ask, seek, and knock on the door and the gift of the Holy Spirit will be poured out to bring forth the edification needed in prophecy.

Prophecy in Greek is proph\\u0113te\\xeda pronounced prof-ay-ti\'-ah meaning, \\u201cprophecy, prediction, and prophesying.\\u201d [ii] Prediction comes from the Latin word praedicere meaning \\u201cmake known beforehand.\\u201d The Latin word for prediction is spelled P.R.A.E.D.I.C.E.R.E. As I saw the Latin word for prediction, I couldn\\u2019t help but see PRAED as PRAYED, and icere as I C (see). In John 16:13 Jesus states that the Holy Spirit will show us things to come. He will show us what to pray. Through prayer, we will feel a lifting in our heart, being filled with joy and excitement that God is up to something. By faith as we open our mouth and pray forth, we shall prophesy! This is the power of God\\u2019s grace in His beautiful gift of prophecy.

The gift of prophecy edifies. The word edify in Greek is oikodom\\u1e17 pronounced oy-kod-om-ay\' meaning, \\u201carchitecture, confirmation, building, edify, and edification.\\u201d [iii] Thus, edification builds people up, confirming what God has placed within them, defeating the powers of darkness that would assail them with lies.

A great analogy of this beautiful gift and what takes place in the invisible realm is in Song of Solomon 6.

12 \\u201cBefore I was aware [of what was happening], my desire [to roam about] had brought me into the area of the princes of my people [the king\\u2019s retinue]. 13 [I began to flee, but they called to me] Return, return, O Shulammite; return, return, that we may look upon you! [I replied] What is there for you to see in the [poor little] Shulammite? [And they answered] As upon a dance before two armies or a dance of Mahanaim.\\u201d Song of Solomon 6:12-13 AMPC

The Shulammite is hungry to know the King, who is the Good Shepherd. She\\u2019s so caught up in knowing Him that she doesn\\u2019t realize the power that has come through her, in their love. As the daughters of Jerusalem go after her to behold her beauty, the Shulammite asks them \\u201cwhat is there to look at.\\u201d Their response is that when we see you, we see the dance of Mahanaim, which means THE DANCE OF TWO ARMIES.

In other words, the love relationship you have with the King, has given you the authority of two armies. That is the power of prayer and the gift of prophecy. One can send a thousand to flight, but two can send ten thousand to flight. This gift of prophecy encourages you and others, bringing a fresh anointing of the Lord\\u2019s hope and future. (See Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Where is it that you or someone you know needs hope? Seek God and desire to prophesy!

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428. Walking in the Word, Jesus' Compassionate Perseverance

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427. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Rusanne Carole

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426. Celebrating God's Grace, Thankfulness

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425. Walking in the Word, Your Invitation to the Kingdom Awaits

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424. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Shelly Paino

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423. Celebrating God's Grace, Accept Your Assignment

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422. Walking in the Word, Wings to Fly

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421. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Lynn Strickland

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420. Celebrating God's Grace, Healthy Guardrails

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419. Walking in the Word, The Parable of the Soils

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418. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Keli Hillier

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417. Celebrating God's Grace, The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand

The three Hebrew letters that compose standard, are Dalet, Gimel, and Lamed. Dalet is the ancient symbol of a door and means to enter and pathway. Gimel is the ancient symbol of a camel and in the positive means to lift up. Finally, Lamed is the ancient symbol of a cattle goad, which looks like a shepherd\\u2019s staff with a prick in the curvature, and means tongue, control, and authority. Therefore, the word picture in the Old Hebrew for standard, is THE DOOR IS LIFTED UP INTO WHICH YOU ENTER AND BRINGS AUTHORITY.

Just wow! Listen to that word picture again. The Door is lifted up, into which you enter, and brings authority. Is this not a beautiful picture of Christ on the Cross! In John 12:32 Jesus said that if He is lifted up, He will draw all men to Himself. Jesus also says in John 10:9 that He is the Door, and if anyone should enter, they would be saved and go in and out and find pasture.

John the Baptist knew that Jesus was the Son of God, baptizing Him in the Jordan River to fulfill all righteousness, and saw the Holy Spirit come upon Christ like a dove. John\\u2019s whole life was set aside to look for Jesus and prepare others for His coming with the message of repentance. Repent means to turn from your ways, having a change in heart and mind.

John saw something others couldn\\u2019t see.

Because I\\u2019m a visual person, I learn best when I can see and picture something. As I read Numbers 1:52 about the tribes pitching a tent by their tribal standard, I couldn\\u2019t help but think of John as \\u201cthe standard.\\u201d Jesus said about John that the greatest born among women is John, but even the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than John.

The Lord showed me that John was the STANDARD, as Jesus proclaimed the greatest born among women. John proclaimed in a conspicuous manner about Christ Jesus being the Son of God! He was merely a conspicuous flag sounding the message of Christ\\u2019s coming.

What blessed me even more is that I saw Jesus Christ as the Tent pitched by the standard, THE DOOR TO HEAVEN, where all could enter the Kingdom of Heaven, and find pasture. The pasture represents a place for the soul to rest. This is grace.

One of the things I love about Matthew 11:12, and the Kingdom of Heaven suffering violence, is the gift of grace we\\u2019ve been given to perceive heaven. You don\\u2019t need special glasses to recognize the Kingdom of Heaven. God has fearfully and wonderfully made you, that on a special receptor in your body, the G Protein-Coupled Receptor, He placed the ability within your body to see, hear, taste and smell. What\\u2019s even more phenomenal is that these senses inside of the body, from the neck down, regulate your organs. You apprehend this as \\u201cfeelings,\\u201d where you feel God\\u2019s presence.

As we receive salvation in Christ Jesus, we have a special rest for our soul, which is known in Hebrews 4 as the Seventh Day Rest. God\\u2019s rest produces confidence and assurance in your soul to boldly run to the throne of grace to obtain mercy for your need. This is the Kingdom of Heaven. God\\u2019s grace giving us mercy, for us to know He is near.

The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and it is the violent that take it by force. This visual of the Greek word for violence will cause you to see this verse in a new light. The Greek word for violence is bi\\xe1z\\u014d pronounced\\xa0bee-ad\'-zo and means, \\u201cto force, TO CROWD ONESELF, to be seized, press, and suffer violence.\\u201d [ii] What I love about this particular Greek word is the root word from which it comes, which is b\\xedos pronounced\\xa0bee\'-os meaning, \\u201clife, present state of existence, livelihood, good and living.\\u201d [iii] This is the Greek word from which we get the English word bio. When someone gives their bio, they\\u2019re saying all the things about themselves that prove THEY EXIST! They identify who their family is, and what accomplishments they\\u2019ve made in life.

Therefore, as we look at Matthew 11:12, where the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent seize it by force, what we see is that THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN CROWDS US! IT BRINGS US LIFE! Whose life? The Life of Christ, that He lived in His body! The very life we celebrate today that has given us grace, to walk in God\\u2019s peace, no matter the circumstance!

Close your eyes and imagine with me. You\\u2019re walking barefoot on a gravel trail leading you through an orchard of trees with all kinds of fruit. The aroma and freshness of the sweet ripeness of the fruit draws you into the middle of the orchard. You\\u2019re now still, feeling green grass under your feet, with a hint of dew. You inhale, taking in the moment. Suddenly, you feel a brush on your face, then on your arms and hands. You open your eyes and find every fruit tree in the orchard now surrounding you, crowding your space. This is what the Greek word for violence means, HEAVEN IS CROWDING YOU!

This is the thing. When we\\u2019re not in the rest of God, leaning entirely on Him, we get distracted to heaven\\u2019s presence. Luke 17:20-21 tells us that heaven is planted in our hearts. The Word of Truth, Who is Jesus, brings the reality of the Kingdom of Heaven as we live on this earth. And as great as John was, because of Grace, he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is GREATER THAN JOHN. This is the power given to you and I. We can enter through the Door into a Kingdom that Lifts us up into an authority we\\u2019ve never known, no matter what!

Bad days, crises, and catastrophic events don\\u2019t affect the Kingdom you and I are from. It exists and is real. This kingdom allows us to find peace in each moment of our day.

Over the past two weeks, I\\u2019ve gone through two major crises in my family. At times I thought I would lose it and was overwhelmed. But this is the beauty, I put my eyes on Christ Jesus and the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and I found peace and rest for my soul.

Amid these crises, I had my sixth month mammogram from a finding in September, which showed calcifications had returned inside of one of my breasts. I had an operation two and a half years ago for a breast lumpectomy, where a biopsy of calcifications at that time set my doctor on high alert and put me in the high percentile for breast cancer. Thank goodness they did the lumpectomy and after tests, found the cells were benign. Because of this I must go to a special clinic yearly, doing two visits a year, for a mammogram and ultrasound. However, when they find something, they then move you to two mammograms and ultrasounds a year.

I was dealing with the two crises at the time of this mammogram and thought, \\u201cGod, please bring me a God report.\\u201d The prior week\\u2019s notification, reminding me of my appointment, immediately sent dread into my heart. My skin was super thin, so to speak, from the other crises. However, I took a deep breath and put my eyes on Christ and instead heard the Lord speak to my heart, \\u201cRobin, refuse to be afraid,\\u201d and OH MY I was lifted into grace. I had a boldness of faith, and I said to myself, \\u201cNO MATTER WHAT I REFUSE TO BE AFRAID!\\u201d

Then came the day of the mammogram. They took me into the room to get my robe on and do my first round of pics. The radiologist technician then returned me to my room and told me to stay in my robe, in case the doctor wanted more. I sat there waiting about 10 minutes, and she walked back in and said, \\u201cShe wants me to get more pictures.\\u201d My knees got jittery. I was doing the special mammography in the room in which I had a biopsy years before. I responded as she prepped me, \\u201cis this bad news?\\u201d She looked at me and assured me it was common.

I went through the process telling myself to breathe. I sat back in the room, and she told me to keep my robe on, in case they wanted more pictures. I waited for what had to be another 20 minutes. Thoughts went through my mind that they might see something more with the calcifications, and I wanted to burst into tears.

Then suddenly, a thought entered my mind, \\u201cwhat if they cannot find anything.\\u201d Heaven crowded me. I was standing in the orchard feeling the fruit trees press up against me. I then said, \\u201cNO MATTER WHAT I WILL NOT BE AFRAID!\\u201d I was in green pastures. I found rest for my soul.

The nurse came in and told me to change, and that the doctor would meet with me. I got up to change, when she immediately came back and said, \\u201cdon\\u2019t change yet, the doctor wants to do an ultrasound.\\u201d\\xa0 I took a few deep breaths. She brought me into the ultrasound room, where I waited for a while, wondering what she would say. Then after 20 or so minutes the doctor walked in and patted me on the arm and said, \\u201cWhen you come here it is always something.\\u201d I looked at her puzzled. She then said, \\u201cWe cannot find the spots anymore, their gone. I don\\u2019t know what happened.\\u201d

OH, MY GOODNESS LADIES! I WANTED TO CRY FOR JOY! HEAVEN INVADED MY SPACE, I RECEIVED GRACE, BEING PAINTED IN THE GOODNESS OF GOD\\u2019S MERCY!

The release date of this podcast is falling on the Jewish calendar of the 16^th of Nisan, which is the day we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. Passover begins the evening of the 14^th of Nisan on the Jewish Calendar, which was this past Wednesday. What an amazing time to consider the grace of our God, which has been given through Christ Jesus.

Where is it you need the power of the Kingdom of Heaven? Just breathe, stand still, and smell the fruits of a Kingdom that is near you, crowding you!

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416. Walking in the Word, Jesus is the Good Shepherd

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415. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Angela Ball

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414. Celebrating God's Grace, Our Promised Land

I recently moved and I went through lots of photos and old journals \\u2013 some from 20 years ago! It\\u2019s amazing what we forget! It was an amazing exercise to read my conversations on paper with God. How many times I didn\\u2019t know how I\\u2019d get through something. But as always, God is faithful and in His strength I got through. I\\u2019m still standing! It\\u2019s a good reminder too when we are going thru something to look back and reflect how He promises to be there with us every step \\u2013 and He is!

\\xa0Remember and remind ourselves that God promised us a place of blessing! God\\u2019s willingness & unwavering desire to bless His people is told over and over in His Word. He is the giver of good gifts and He exults His children when they cooperate enough to receive some. We often think of \\u201cblessing\\u201d as worldly possessions and success. Beth Moore, a sister in Christ and best-selling author, puts it like this \\u2013 \\u201cBlessing is bowing down to receive the expressions of divine favour that in the inner recesses of the human heart and mind make life worth the bother\\u201d.\\xa0

Would those that know us see us living for God, that our faith is REAL and that it works? That it makes room for and the possibility of a different life, a better life \\u2013 a \\xa0more LOVING, PEACEFUL, JOYFUL, PATIENT, KIND, GENTLE, SELF-CONTROLED LIFE? That is really our calling \\u2013 that no matter what is going on around us \\u2013 the mountains may crumble into the sea, the fig tree may have no leaves, but we know who we are in Christ and we trust Him to get us through the wilderness to begin living under the promises of GOD. It\\u2019s about believing.\\xa0

3.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 God promised a place to LIVE, not vacation in! \\xa0In John 15 God\\u2019s Word talks about a place of ABIDING! Resting, (def: Lasting a long time, enduring)

So is this way of life \\u2013 of living- always easy? Lol, no!

Is this way of life automatic the moment we become a follower of Christ? Not likely!

But our soul needs a place to live. What better place than in the promised land God has prepared just for you! And day by day digging deeper where roots can be embedded in our soul, our hearts, \\xa0in the ground that you possess there!

4.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 God promised this is a place of a great harvest. Many of us have heard the land characterized as a land of \\u201cmilk & honey\\u201d. Yet Deuteronomy 8:7-9 brings us even more description and says, \\u201c For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land-a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills: a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scare and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.\\u201d\\xa0

Yes, heaven awaits. Our perfect eternal home, where at times we long to see or even be! But we trust God has a plan and a purpose for each of us \\u2013 our own promised land to enter and conquer living in \\u2013 a place of love, a place of peace, a place where we abide completely and totally in HIM!

Let us pray:

Lord, thank you that you have given us promises of living in a promised land \\u2013 not just for the future but even for here and now! Help us as we navigate through the wilderness and challenges this life on earth brings. Thank you that you always had a plan for our redemption. It\\u2019s when we let go of our own travel plans and decide to let you lead the way does the real beauty of allowing our soul to live begins. Our soul currently has a place to live \\u2013 in the promised land for you come to reside in us when we believe. We are in You. You guide our way into the land where our soul can be at peace. We thank you. We love you. And may all we do be for You and Your glory! Amen

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413. Walking in the Word, Jesus is the Gate

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412. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Maria Termotto Horwitz

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411. Celebrating God's Grace, Spring Cleaning

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410. Walking in the Word, Jesus Forgives

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409. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Siv Ashley, part 2

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408. Celebrating God's Grace, Come As You Are

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407. Walking in the Word, Jesus Walks on Water

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406. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Siv Ashely, part 1

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405. Celebrating God's Grace, God Can Heal the Trauma that Fractures Your Soul

To provide an analogy I want to use the spelling of the Hebrew word for bruised, which is r.a.t.s.a.t.s. Let me say it one more time, R.A.T.S.A.T.S. Now I\\u2019m not a wordsmith by any means, but I cannot help but to see things in the Hebrew words, which my husband, Rich, calls \\u201cRobinisms.\\u201d I couldn\\u2019t help but see RAT-SATS. This might not mean anything now but just wait.

We live in an old apartment, which we love, built in the early 1900s in downtown Birmingham, Alabama in the historic garden district. We have three parks in the area, where many more old buildings stand, occupied by tenants who can appreciate the character of the old architecture. I feel like I\\u2019m living the HGTV House Hunters International life, except nationally.

We\\u2019ve lived here for six years, and it wasn\\u2019t until just a month ago, that we experienced a mouse issue in the place. Thank goodness it was a mouse and not a rat. Well, that mouse had a friend later, so it became mice. Although they were cute, they were unnerving as from time to time, they would come out and run across the kitchen floor, and eventually one was in our bedroom. Me being the wife that I am and knowing my husband, I tried to keep it on the down low as much as possible.

Because of my work, I couldn\\u2019t help but hear the mice in the apartment. I am a proficient writer, having written 70 plus workbooks, and now 14 books. My father jokingly says, years from now that he\\u2019ll ask me what I\\u2019m doing and I\\u2019ll respond, \\u201cI\\u2019m writing a new book.\\u201d Along with being a writer, I minister and do health and wellness coaching, all from our apartment. While writing, I could hear something moving in the kitchen for a few days and would get up and down over and over to see if I could find what it might be. Eventually, I discovered a mouse, and contacted the property management to deal with the issue. One was caught, and I let out a sigh of relief, only to find out two days later there was another one. The second one I saw scurrying across our bedroom floor, which was caught later.

I cleaned our kitchen as though we were moving out, dismantling little boroughs of collected paper bags which might seem inviting for a critter. As well as getting into the nook and crannies, where I moved all the items in the kitchen, and then swept and mopped the floor.

I\\u2019m grateful it was mice and not rats. Rats are bigger and very aggressive, compared to mice. I\\u2019ve heard stories of people that had to deal with rat infested homes, and it\\u2019s not good. So, imagine if you had a rat sitting in your house and refusing to leave. No matter what, you couldn\\u2019t get it out. That\\u2019s what the effects of sin do, by leaving the impression of trauma. You might not have committed an act, but someone else committed an act against you. Regardless of who committed the act of sin, for which you\\u2019ve forgiven, you still have its impression in the form of trauma, which has made you hypervigilant on a matter or even paranoid.

God\\u2019s grace delivers us from this issue. He brings the power of His Word of Truth, where His Spirit of Truth, reveals His love, driving out the fear that was brought on by it. We see this in 1 John 4:18.

^18\\xa0\\u201cThere is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors\\xa0and\\xa0EXPELS EVERY TRACE OF TERROR! For fear\\xa0brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love\\u2019s complete perfection].\\u201d (1 John 4:18 AMPC)

The bruise of the enemy, inflicted by sin, is trauma, the rat in our soul, gnawing at places in which we feel we\\u2019ll never be healed. God\\u2019s love makes us whole driving all terror out! The Greek word for fear is ph\\xf3bos pronounced\\xa0fob\'-os meaning, \\u201cto be put in fear, alarm or fright, be afraid, and terror.\\u201d [ii] This is also where the word phobia comes from. Thus, God deals with the bruises on our soul, where we\\u2019ve acquired phobias.

The dim wick represents a little flicker of a flame on a candle, barely burning. The Hebrew primary root word for dim is k\\xe2h\\xe2h pronounced\\xa0kaw-haw\' meaning, \\u201cto be weak, to despond, to grow dull, darken, be dim, fail, and faint.\\u201d [iii] This gives the picture of someone barely hanging onto life, who\\u2019s hopeless. Jesus brings hope to the hopeless through His love, which is grace, lifting the weary traveler up onto the Highway of Holiness in Isaiah 35:8, where no unclean thing or beast can walk. No terror can tread on Love\\u2019s path. The saint is bathed in the pure love of the Cross of Christ Jesus and what He has done, to know the power of His resurrection. That power is our inheritance. (See Ephesians 1:17-20)

There is a process in working out our salvation as in Philippians 2:12, in fear and in trembling. That process is to know the grace of God that has come through Christ Jesus, so that although we\\u2019ve asked for forgiveness and have forgiven others, we must address our issue in getting past some things. The effects of sin have traumatized us in some fashion, which has left us feeling stuck, and possibly hopeless.

The first step in addressing the area of trauma, is recognizing that you\\u2019re feeling it in some form, whether it be terror, rejection, abandonment or unloved. This is prominent at times, where you might be triggered by what some says or does. You feel like a little girl lifting her hands, who longs to be picked up by her daddy and kept in his long embrace. This fractured part of the soul is where trauma dwells and needs to be healed by grace.

One of my favorite stories, which I\\u2019ve taught in my books, is about the ruby. I teach God\\u2019s scriptures with all the sciences, unfolding understanding of truth. When I taught on precious stones, in the series of God\\u2019s Fire Wall Healing of the Soul, I taught on Job 28 and on the precious stone, the ruby.

In Job 28, the prophet is grappling with his own trauma, which he\\u2019s felt during his trial, where he\\u2019s crying out for wisdom in the dark (dim) place, inside of a mountain. Sitting in darkness, Job\\u2019s led to pull back a piece of the mountain, allowing the light to shine in, and he discovers himself sitting amid sapphires and other precious stones. How beautiful is that? We don\\u2019t realize the precious blessings of God\\u2019s truth that\\u2019s made known to us in the darkest trials in our lives.

When I studied and taught on rubies during the gemology and archeology I employed with scripture, it blew my mind. Did you know that a perfect ruby is rare. That\\u2019s right. Isn\\u2019t that surprising? Most rubies have what gemologist call \\u201cfractures.\\u201d Little fractures make their paths through the stone, which might cause a regular person to discard it.

Fortunately, there\\u2019s a process to make the imperfect fractured ruby, perfect. Oil is poured into the fractured parts of the ruby, that\\u2019s then put into an oven heated at 500 degrees. Once done, the ruby is brought out, where the oil has baked into the fractures, and it is then made perfect. This process is called \\u201chealing,\\u201d where the fractured places in the ruby have now been healed. 500 represents grace for us, and is such a testament to the trials, which expose the areas of trauma in which we need healing. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, doesn\\u2019t discard us or break us, He sweeps us up in the Love of God, bringing the display of the Father\\u2019s love for us.

Where is it you need healing from past trauma? Let the Lord\\u2019s love pour into your heart, overflowing within your mind, as you know the power of healing, grace.

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404. Walking in the Word, No Longer Blind! Pt. 3

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403. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Nita Tin

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402. Celebrating God's Grace - Breathe, Rest, and Reset

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401. Walking in the Word, No Longer Blind! Part 2

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400. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Tammy Hanson

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399. Celebrating God's Grace; Lavish Love - Activating Abundance

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Love language #2: Acts of service. ...

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Love language #3: Gifts. ...

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Love language #4: Quality time. ...

\\xb7\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Love language #5: Physical touch.

\\xa0The book is about everybody\'s different way of receiving love.

\\xa0Because a lot of times we will show love in a way that we tend to want to receive it.

\\xa0When we can identify what love language the special people in our life speak, we can show love in a way that will mean more to them.

\\xa0Now here\\u2019s the big question: how do WE receive love?

How do we feel about receiving in general?

As women we\'re hardwired to be nurturers\\u2026 We tend to be givers. A lot of times it\\u2019s our way of loving others.

\\xa0And so, we love others and find it easy to give.

\\xa0But how do we receive love. particularly as it relates to God.

\\xa0He wants to lavish his love on us. But the question is, are we open to receiving that love for him? \\xa0Do we REALLY believe that he loves us? a lot of times our humanness, our experience here on Earth is sort of tainted by how we\'ve received love in the past, like in our formative years, how other people showed love to us.

\\xa0For me, when I went through my second divorce, my son missed his dad. I know his dad loved him. But when we first split up, he would cancel plans to see Dallas. Obviously, it hurt my son. And so, it was very difficult when I would say \\u201cBut your dad loves you\\u201d.

\\xa0I didn\\u2019t want him to equate \\u201clove\\u201d with someone who wasn\\u2019t around. Or disappointed him.

\\xa0And so we can view what love is through that lens of abandonment or rejection.

\\xa0Where we can question if somebody truly loves us, because our experience around love is that, oh, my dad loved me, but he didn\'t spend time with me.

\\xa0We can view God this way too. \\xa0

\\xa0The enemy of our soul would like nothing more than to deceive us that way. But we have only to look into scripture to read about God\'s love for us.

\\xa0So much so that he forgives us when we sin and mess up. That\\u2019s grace.

\\xa0When we think of God\\u2019s lavish abundant love for us, we will find the compassion, forgiveness and grace for the people in our lives.

\\xa0When we can activate the Holy Spirit and love others lavishly\\u2026 the abundant life is available. I believe that\'s what God wants us to experience while we\'re here on Earth.\\xa0

To love others, like Jesus says, the greatest commandment is to love God first, and then love others.\\xa0

Matthew 22:36-40

^36\\xa0\\u201cTeacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?\\u201d

^37\\xa0Jesus replied:\\xa0\\u201c\\u2018Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.\\u2019^[a]\\xa0^38\\xa0This is the first and greatest commandment.\\xa0^39\\xa0And the second is like it: \\u2018Love your neighbor as yourself.\\u2019

\\xa0And we must love ourselves as well. Now, I don\'t know about you, but I have girlfriends who are not married, and widows who have lost their sweethearts. And so valentine\'s day can be very painful. This whole idea about love and gifts and celebrating can be painful when we don\'t have someone. But what God gave me is that we can love ourselves. It requires us to love ourselves to activate that abundance.

\\xa0I know for me I lived so much of my life in survival mode. I wasn\'t even aware of this because of the programming I received as a child.

\\xa0We can learn how to behave in public and appear like we have it all together. But deep down, we can often feel unlovable. I see this in my son Dallas. Again, because of how people treat us, our experiences, the stories we believe that we\'re not worthy, even what we\'ve been told. It\'s very subconscious.

\\xa0But we can become aware, when we begin to have these voices go through our mind that we are unlovable. We can catch those thoughts and take them captive. The Bible says make them obedient to Christ.

\\xa02 Corinthians 10:5

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,\\xa0and we take captive every thought to make it obedient\\xa0to Christ.

\\xa0When we start noticing those thoughts that don\\u2019t align with the lavish love God says he has for us, we can CHOOSE a new thought. The TRUTH.

\\xa0That can help us activate abundance. And honestly activating abundance is really activating the Holy Spirit that lives inside each and every one of us, as Christians, as followers of Christ.

\\xa0We\'re in a love relationship with Jesus and He wants us to be abundant. He wants us to prosper. Jeremiah 29:11.\\xa0For I know the plans\\xa0I have for you,\\u201d declares the\\xa0Lord, \\u201cplans to prosper\\xa0you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

\\xa0

And so when we can love ourselves the way that God does, unconditionally. Loving ourselves becomes a form of worship to Him.

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398. Walking in the Word; No Longer Blind, Part 1

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397. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Marli Brown

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396. Celebrating God's Grace, Rooted in Jesus

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395. Walking in the Word, The Lavish Love of Jesus

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394. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Tina Wanamaker

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393. Celebrating God's Grace, Forgive

Likewise, when we deal with unforgiveness quickly, it\\u2019s like taking the smelly top off and putting a fresh clean one on. Unless someone had super senses like me, they couldn\\u2019t perceive it. But imagine if I didn\\u2019t use deodorant for days and got around others. Not only would it be constantly on my mind of how bad I smell, and interfere with my ability to fellowship, other people would smell the body odor, as well.

I experienced this last year, when my husband, Rich, and I drove up to Virginia to celebrate his sister-in-law\\u2019s sixtieth birthday. We made it a two-day trip to get there, and I was beyond excited, having found a brand-new dress that was normally over $200 for only $35. Moreover, I had stunning shoes to add that extra-bling, rose gold pumps, with matching rose gold stones. In addition, we had bought Rich a brand-new suit, with shiny black dress shoes. We haven\\u2019t dressed this nice since our wedding day in 2001.

Little did I know, that in all my packing, I did not pack my deodorant. Ok, I could get by with using my husband\\u2019s deodorant, if need be, for this trip, so problem solved. However, I later found out because I had packed so hurriedly that I couldn\\u2019t find my husband\\u2019s deodorant or the toothpaste. This was a double whammy. On top of this, we were exhausted, having woke up 3:30 am on Thursday to get to our half-way destination, and then at 4 am on Friday to make our final trek to attend the surprise party. Well one thing was for sure, if someone were to smell my breath or my underarms, they would be surprised by the awful smell.

Rich and I arrived at the party exhausted, unable to find his deodorant, which is fine for my husband, because as he says, he glistens, and doesn\\u2019t sweat. I on the other hand, am like Niagara Falls when the temperature rises above 75. Not only did we not find the deodorant, but the toothpaste, as well, leaving me with bad breath. Unfortunately, I didn\\u2019t have my regular breath mints in my purse, either.

So, get this, I looked the best I have in years, in the most beautiful black sequin gown, stunning shoes with bling, and matching jewelry. However, the whole time I was at the party, I kept my arms tight by my side, and my hand over my mouth. I wanted to really enjoy the celebration, but I was so distracted by my bad breath and stinky underarms. The whole time there, Rich and I kept asking people if they had a mint or something, and no one did.

We went for 2 days without brushing our teeth and finally bought some toothpaste from the gas station, only to find our toothpaste packed in my makeup bag, later.

While at the party, going through my head was \\u201cI hope no one else has the super senses that I do and can smell me.\\u201d Instead, if I would have brought my deodorant and toothpaste, I would be carefree, laughing and having fun with all the family.

Things that we hold onto from our past towards others can be likened to us not wearing deodorant or brushing our teeth. Imagine on top of not having toiletries for proper hygiene, if we ate rotten food, which then wreaked through our pours, all the while building up in the mouth as super bad breath. We would be unbearable to be around.

That\\u2019s how it is when we have unforgiveness. Our rotten attitude makes it hard for others to be around us. Because we\\u2019ve not the super senses to perceive that our attitude stinks from unforgiveness, it\\u2019s built up, and been like days without brushing our teeth or taking a bath. Now imagine further, if we haven\\u2019t brushed our teeth or taken a bath in years.

The grace of Truth given through Jesus Christ, was to remove the stench of sin from mankind, where we would be in right standing with the Father, without spot or blemish, because of the atoning work of Christ on the cross. He nailed the debt of our sins to His cross. (Colossians 2:14) That experience of the forgiveness of our sins, comes as we forgive others. Forgiveness means to let go. We must let go of the things we\\u2019ve held onto about others, and the way we might dwell on how they\\u2019ve hurt us. It\\u2019s the stinking clothes that distract our hearts and minds, keeping us from enjoying life.

God taught me that anytime I dwell on something negative that someone has done to me, that it is satan accusing them in my head. He then has me say, \\u201cI break agreement with the accuser of the brethren, In Jesus\\u2019 Name.\\u201d

What circumstance do you need to let go of, and who do you need to forgive? Take this opportunity to be free of stinking thinking, and cling to the work of the Cross of Christ Jesus, receiving forgiveness for your sins.

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392. Walking in the Word, Digging Deep

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391. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Deb Hogan

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390. Celebrating God's Grace, Believe

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389. Walking in the Word, Stand Strong for Jesus

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388. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Nancy Sabato

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387. Celebrating God's Grace, The Secret to Successful Resolutions

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386. Walking in the Word, Prepare to Jump

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385. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Jane "Goldie" Winn

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384. Celebrating God's Grace, The Steadfastness of God

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383. Walking in the Word, Love Like Jesus

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382. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Victoria Robinson

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381. Celebrating God's Grace, The Little Things Matter

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380. Walking in the Word - Ready, Set...

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379. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Candace Kirkpatrick

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378. Celebrating God's Grace - New Year, New Things

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377. Walking in the Word - Don't Worry, God's Got This!

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376. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Jean Selig Wenger

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375. Celebrating God's Grace, Refreshed and Renewed

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374. Walking in the Word, Pray in the Spirit at all Times

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373. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Kristen Clark

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372. Celebrating God's Grace, Carrying Greatness

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371. Walking in the Word, Peace and Joy in His Midst

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370. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Amber Impellizzeri and Ashley Giovannucci, Part II

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369. Celebrating God's Grace, Limbo

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368. Walking In the Word, Don't Be a Fool

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367. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Amber Impellizzeri and Ashley Giovannucci, Part I

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366. Celebrating God's Grace, Forever Moms

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365. Walking in the Word, The Heart of the Matter

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364. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Kimberly Hobbs

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363. Celebrating God's Grace, Healing and the Holidays

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362. Walking in the Word, Jesus' Stern Warning

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361. Empowering Lives With Purpose, Interview with Dr. Marina Hoffman

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360. Celebrating God's Grace, Reach for the Garment

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359. Walking in the Word, Lessons in Prayer

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358. Empowering Lives With Purpose, Interview with Sara Bussard

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357. Celebrating God's Grace, The Mountain Shall Become a Plain

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356. Walking in the Word, Leaning Into Luke

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355. Empowering Lives With Purpose, Interview with Ken Hobbs

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354. Celebrating God's Grace, God is our God!

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353. Walking in the Word, Jesus Visits Martha and Mary

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352. Empowering Lives With Purpose, Interview with Brandie Reader, Part II

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351. Celebrating God's Grace, Forgiven and Free

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350. Walking in the Word, The Good Samaritan

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349. Empowering Lives With Purpose, Interview with Brandie Reader - Part I

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348. Celebrating God's Grace, Spiritual Wellness

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347. Walking In the Word, The Beatitudes - Part II

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346. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Kerri Bridges

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345. Celebrating God's Grace, Mountain-Moving Faith

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344. Walking in the Word, The Beatitudes - Part I

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343. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Ellie McGraw

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342. Celebrating God's Grace, God Is With Us Even When We Don't Feel It

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341. Walking in the Word, The Seventy-Two Return

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340. Empowering Lives With Purpose, Interview with Janet Harllee

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339. Celebrating God's Grace, Trading Shame for Significance

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338. Walking in the Word, Jesus Sends the Seventy-Two

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337. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Kayla Follin

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336. Celebrating God's Grace, Emotional & Mental Wellness

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335. Walking in the Word, Spiritual Vision

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334. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Latoya Rattery

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333. Celebrating God's Grace, Miraculous Manna

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332. Walking in the Word, Set Free!

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331. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Mellisa Lambert

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330. Celebrating God's Grace, Trusting God's Plan Through Adversity

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329. Walking in the Word, Jesus is the Light of the World

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328. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Candice Daniel

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327. Celebrating God's Grace, These Broken Bones Will Rejoice

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326. Walking in the Word, Jesus Teaches Us to be Salt & Light

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325. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Cindy Arevalo

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324. Celebrating God's Grace, Physical Wellness

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323. Walking in the Word, Jesus Forgives

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322. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Beth Vazquez

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321. Celebrating God's Grace, Is This It?

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320. Walking in the Word - Divided People, Thirsty Souls

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319. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Christine McDonald

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318. Celebrating God's Grace, Hanging On By A Thread

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317. Walking in the Word, Jesus Teaches in the Temple

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316. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Caitlyn Benedik

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315. Celebrating God's Grace, Gospel Grace

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314. Walking in the Word, What It Takes To Follow Jesus

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313. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Donna Clare

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312. Celebrating God's Grace, Summertime Tips

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311. Walking in the Word, Trusting God's Perfect Timing

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310. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with DeAnn Alaine

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309. Celebrating God's Grace, Tiny Bird

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308. Walking in the Word, Accountability and Forgiveness

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307. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Lisa Hathaway

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306. Celebrating God's Grace, God Is Faithful

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305. Walking in the Word, Jesus Will Seek and Find You

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304. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Hope Tally

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303. Celebrating God's Grace, Lost and Found in Tinseltown

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302. Walking in the Word, Team Jesus!

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301. Interview with Robin Kirby Gatto, Pt. 2

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Bonus Episode - Renew Teaching with Julie T. Jenkins

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300. Celebrating God's Grace, Freedom in Christ

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299. Walking in the Word, The Greatest in the Kingdom

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298. Interview with Robin Kirby Gatto, Pt. 1

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297. Celebrating God's Grace, Muddy Puppy

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296. Walking in the Word, Jesus' Provision Through a Single Fish

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295. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Amanda Jackman

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294. Celebrating God's Grace - Breathe, Rest, & Reset In His Presence

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293. Walking in the Word, God's Power Can Move Mountains

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292. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Jada Daves

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291. Celebrating God's Grace, Self-Care, Pt. 1 of 4

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290. Walking in the Word, Jesus' Transfiguration

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289. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Jill Reynolds

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288. Celebrating God's Grace, The Father's Love

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287. Walking in the Word, Jesus Foretells of the Cross - His and Yours

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286. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Dr. Dana Cameron

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285. Celebrating God's Grace, Is Your Marriage on Autopilot?

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284. Walking in the Word, Jesus Teaches to Beware of Deception

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283. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Christian Hjort

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282. Celebrating God's Grace, No Matter What!

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281. Walking in the Word, Miracles without Borders

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280. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Thapi Tabele

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279. Celebrating God's Grace, Renewed

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278. Walking in the Word, Control Your Own Destiny

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277. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Mary Smit

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276. Celebrating God's Grace, Boundaries in Relationships, Pt. II

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275. Walking in the Word, Choosing Jesus

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274. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Erin Jeffreys

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273. Celebrating God's Grace, Boundaries in Relationships, Pt. I

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272. Walking in the Word, From Defeat to Victory to Exaltation

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271. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Kim Meeder

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270. Celebrating God's Grace, Taking Control of Our Emotions

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269. Walking in the Word, Jesus is the Bread of Life

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268. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Justina Page

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267. Celebrating God's Grace; Is It Criticism, or Am I Spiritually Blind?

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266. Walking in the Word, The Blessing Beyond the Miracle

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265. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Shelia Erwin

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264. Celebrating God's Grace, Heart Healing with Jesus

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263. Walking in the Word, Jesus Walks on Water

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262. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Tina Rains

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261. Celebrating God's Grace; Happy Spouse, Happy House!

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260. Walking in the Word, Jesus Feeds Five Thousand

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259. Empowering Lives With Purpose, Interview with Danielle Gibbons

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258. Celebrating God's Grace, You Are Not What You Are Going Through

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257. Walking in the Word, John the Baptist's Death

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256. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Stacy Thomas

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255. Celebrating God's Grace, The Price of Betrayal

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254. Walking in the Word, Jesus Knows and Cares

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253. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Candace Kirkpatrick

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252. Celebrating God's Grace, Music and Health

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251. Walking in the Word, God Has a Job For You

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250. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Deborah Watshon

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249. Celebrating God's Grace, Seeking Approval of Others

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248. Walking in the Word, Plenty For All!

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247. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Kristy Furlow

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246. Celebrating God's Grace, Sudden Storms

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245. Walking in the Word, The Defense Rests: Jesus Is Lord!

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244. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Jessica Morneault

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243. Celebrating God's Grace, All Are Invited

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242. Walking in the Word, Jesus' Most Important Message

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241. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Ann Marie Brezina, Pt. 2

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240. Celebrating God's Grace, God's Redeeming Love

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239. Walking in the Word, Strength Through Grace

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238. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Ann Marie Brezina, Pt. I

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237. Celebrating God's Grace, Don't Let Contempt Ruin Your Marriage

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236. Walking in the Word, Receiving Jesus' Healing

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235. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Tina Kadolph

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234. Celebrating God's Grace, God of the Mountains and Valleys

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233. Walking in the Word, Jesus Heals Two Women

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232. Empowering Lives with Purpose, A Return Visit with Janet Berrong

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231. Celebrating God's Grace, Listening to the Holy Spirit

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230. Walking in the Word, Jesus Frees a Demon-Possessed Man

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229. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Lynne Hudson

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228. Celebrating God's Grace, Refreshed and Renewed

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227. Walking in the Word, Make the Most of Every Opportunity

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226. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Michelle Redden

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225. Celebrating God's Grace, Better Communication in Marriage

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224. Walking in the Word, Jesus Calms the Storm

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223. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Jessica Prukner

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222. Celebrating God's Grace, Happy New Year 2022

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221. Walking in the Word, The Kingdom of Heaven is Like...

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220. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Rebecca Rogers Nelson

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219. Celebrating God's Grace, Born to Die

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218. Walking in the Word, The Parable of the Weeds

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217. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Hannah Ratnam

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215. Walking in the Word, Jesus' Birth

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214. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Traci Warren

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213. Celebrating God's Grace, Keeping Christ in Christmas

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212. Walking in the Word, The Parable of the Seed

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211. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Michelle Hiatt

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210. Celebrating God's Grace - Mary, the Mother of Jesus

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209. Walking in the Word, The Parable of the Soils

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208. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Kelly Williams Hale

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207. Celebrating God's Grace, Healed People Heal People

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206. Walking in the Word, We Are Family!

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205. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Amber McDaniel

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204. Celebrating God's Grace, Spiritual Wellness

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203. Walking in the Word, Choosing to See God

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202. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Melissa J. Kessler

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201. Celebrating God's Grace, Mini Marriage Retreat

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200. Walking in the Word, The Unforgivable Sin

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199. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Elaine Sephton

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198. Celebrating God's Grace, Sitting at the Feet of Jesus

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197. Walking in the Word, Tis the Season to Celebrate Life!

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196. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Anita Setran

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195. Celebrating God's Grace, A Healthy Thought Life

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194. Walking in the Word, Put on the Armor of God

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193. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Ashley Korth

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192. Celebrating God's Grace, Emotional & Mental Wellness

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191. Walking in the Word, The Power of God Revealed

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190. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Kristen Clark

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189. Celebrating God's Grace, Becoming Your Spouse's Best Friend, Pt. II

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188. Walking in the Word, Jesus Embraces John's Questions

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187. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Peggy Sperling

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186. Celebrating God's Grace, Trusting God's Plan Through Adversity

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185. Walking in the Word, Jesus Raises the Widow's Son

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184. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Tina Gallo

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183. Celebrating God's Grace, The Influences of the Mind

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182. Walking in the Word, Jesus Heals the Centurion's Servant

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181. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Bethany Beal

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180. Celebrating God's Grace, Physical Wellness

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179. Walking in the Word, Jesus is the Best Foundation

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178. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Dr. Jia Conway

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177. Celebrating God's Grace, Becoming Your Spouse's Best Friend, Pt. I

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176. Walking in the Word, Jesus Teaches on Discernment

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175. Empowering Lives with Purpose, Interview with Kimberly Hobbs

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174. Celebrating God's Grace, Women United with Christ