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There is something much worse than prison. It is eternal separation from God. But God has provided a rescuer. It’s Jesus Christ.
[0:00] Intro
[3:50] When I was in jail
[12:40] From my playlist
[24:00] Question: How can I have a better relationship with God?
Bible Verses:
Colossians 1:13 - 14
2 Corinthians 5:21
James 4:8 - 10
2 Corinthians 4:7-9
Colossians 3:23-24
James 4:4
1 John 1:5
Psalm 103:12
Psalm 139:14
Luke 19:10
Ephesians 5:25
1 Peter 3:7
Philippians 3
As believers in Jesus Christ, we have been rescued from darkness and transferred into the kingdom of God (Colossians 1:13-14). Before we were saved, we were lost and separated from God. Instead of flirting with worldly things, look to Christ for rescue and deliverance from sin's dominion. 
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” - Colossians 1:13-14 (NIV)
Colossians 1:13 Memory Verse
We have salvation and a new identity in Christ. Salvation rescues us from sin, guilt, and shame, and brings us into a new kingdom of light and love. Recognize your new identity as part of God's kingdom. Live differently, empowered by God's Holy Spirit.
For me, changing the music I listen to has helped me to focus more on the Lord. I believe consuming music that aligns with our beliefs and values is important. I want to periodically share my playlist with you, to encourage you and give you some godly music options.
One of my favorite songs is by the band Rend Collective that resonates with the idea of Christ rescuing us from darkness. The song "Rescuer" has lyrics about forgiveness through Jesus Christ, emphasizing grace and redemption. Jesus Christ is the good news. He is the good news for the captive, the shameful, and the doubting. It is an invitation to all to trust Christ for redemption.
 Rend Collective "Rescuer" 
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
In this podcast episode, I also answer a student question, “How can I have a better relationship with God?” It’s about spending time with Him. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Read the Bible, pray, and seek God's presence in your life. 
“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” - James 4:8

How do I have a better relationship with God?
"Live for God by connecting faith and life."

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Updates for April 2024 for Proclaim Ministries.
[0:00] Intro
[0:55] 2,000 downloads
[1:40] VC Family
[4:00] Leader training
[5:00] Please pray - thank you!
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What Is Your Compelling Story? Preaching at VC Family | Acts 6 - 7
Colossians 1:13 memory verse
"Live for God by connecting faith and life."

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Mister Brown discusses the transformative role of music in our faith journey. Music can shape our minds, so it is important to exercise discernment when it comes to music.
[0:00] Intro
[3:00] A better playlist
[12:30] Joy and freedom in what is good
[19:00] Can music be redeemed?
[28:00] Final thoughts

Bible Verses:
Romans 12: 1-2
2 Corinthians 4
Philippians 3: 7-11
Psalm 2
2 Timothy 2: 13
2 Corinthians 5: 14-15

What goes in often is what comes out. I believe that what we immerse ourselves in, is what will come out in our daily lives. Whatever we listen to, watch, or read becomes the background for how we live. I think this is very apparent with music. For better or worse, music can be transformative and it can shape our thoughts and beliefs.
We primarily listen to Christian music in our home, but that wasn’t always the case with me. I listend to a lot of secular rap music growing up and it had an impact on me. The music I listened to was trying to conform me to worldly values instead of God’s standard. Romans 12:1-2 emphasizes the importance of not conforming to the world's standards but being transformed by the renewing of our minds. So I gave up secular music for the most part. I have a much better playlist than I used to. 
My perspective on music has changed since becoming saved. I find joy in uplifting lyrics that bring me closer to God. There is a difference between positive, uplifting Christian music and secular music. I recognize that some secular music may have a good beat, but a lot of it says things that are against God's will. I don’t want music to transform me into anything other than what is glorifying to God.
I try to help students think critically about what they are listening by asking them questions about it. I’ll ask them to read the words out loud and they won’t want to. That is very telling to me and to them as well. Even if they don’t change their music choices now, I hope that getting them to think about it will help them make changes to what they choose to consume. 
There is joy and freedom in reveling in what is good and good things only come from God. There is beauty in following Christ and living how God wants us to live. In order to do this, we must prioritize time with God, even if it means “sacrificing” the things we consume. To know Christ deeply means having a relationship with Him and the music we listen to can impact that relationship.
“...that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…” Philippians 3:10
I want to encourage you to know Christ more through the music you listen to (of course, read your Bible too). Find transformation through music. Choose to listen to biblical and uplifting music. Listen for theological truth and inspiration. Renew your mind through worship music.
Seek God's goodness and faithfulness throughout your life, using music to worship and encourage others. Share your playlist with friends and family. Inspire and uplift them with redeeming music. Value the things that elevate and reflect God's goodness. Consider your own playlist and whether the songs are drawing you closer to God or further away. 
Forrest Frank - Nothing But The Blood (Official Audio) 
"Live for God by connecting faith and life."

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We need to consider others because Jesus did. He is our ultimate role model. In Philippians 2:1-11, Jesus is the example of considering others more significant than ourselves.
[0:00] Intro
[4:20] Sophia's Vlog
[6:20] You should do this
[9:45] Philippians 2: 1 - 11
[15:35] Romans 5: 6-8
[18:05] Ephesians 5: 25-33
[22:40] Final thoughts

Olive Tree App

Bible Verses:
Philippians 2: 1 - 11
Romans 5: 6-8
Ephesians 5: 25-33
2 Corinthians 5: 21

An old Vlog that Sophia did, reminded me that we should always do this: consider others. She was cute in that old video sharing that we should be kind and polite. Consider others means to consider other people’s needs before your own. When I speak in schools, the Consider Others Campaign is an anti-bullying program that encourages students to consider other people. 
Consider Others merch 
We need to consider others because Jesus did. He is our ultimate role model. In Philippians 2:1-11, Jesus is the example of considering others more significant than ourselves. This encourages believers to have the same mind, love, and interests as Christ, for the unity of the body of Christ. According to this Scripture passage, humility and serving others brings joy and fulfillment. Christ is our perfect example of how we should live our lives with other people.
The importance of humility and serving others can be very apparent in the marriage relationship. You can’t be selfish in marriage and have it work out very well. There must be mutual consideration in any relationship if we expect it to thrive. Ephesians 5:25-33 reminds us that husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church.
Jesus was humble. He was willing to serve and be obedient to the point of death on the cross. We also must humble ourselves, even if it means taking the lowest seat or serving others, as Jesus did. As shown in Philippians 2:1-11, humble yourself and put others' needs before your own. Consider others.
"Live for God by connecting faith and life."

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It is vitally important to trust in God's wisdom and guidance. Trusting God is transformative. We may not always understand our circumstances, but we can rely on God's faithfulness. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” - Proverbs 3:5-6.
[0:00] Intro
[1:30] Nothing will change until this...
[9:25] Get weekly emails from Proclaim Ministries
[11:10] Proverbs 3:5-6
[14:18] “Trust in the Lord with all your heart”
[15:00] “and do not lean on your own understanding”
[16:00] “In all your ways acknowledge him”
[18:05] "and he will make straight your paths"
[18:35] Daniel 3
[26:30] Final thoughts

Bible Verses:
Proverbs 3:5-6
Daniel 1 - 3
Philippians 1:21

It's Not About Me Episode 41
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31 Days of Wisdom playlist
Get Wisdom playlist
God Has Let Me Down 
"Live for God by connecting faith and life."

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Self-care is important, but life is not all about you. Of course, we don’t want to take this to extremes. We do need to take care of ourselves, but not at the expense of our relationship to Jesus and others. Even Jesus took time to be alone with the Father. There is a balance between serving others and taking care of yourself. 
[0:00] Intro
[0:50] J.O.Y.
[3:00] It’s not about you
[6:00] What is most important to you?
[14:00] Final Thoughts
This balance of serving others and taking care of yourself was very apparent to me when I recently preached several times one Sunday at my church. Not only was preaching three services in a row a lot of speaking, it’s mentally taxing because the burden of delivering God’s Word well is upon you. You don’t want to mess up or say something wrong or not be clear and then confuse someone.
I have a new appreciation for what pastors do every weekend and it reminds me even more that the preaching is not about them and it’s not about me either. Rather than focusing on external validation for whether or not the preaching went well, we need to seek validation from God. If we are faithful to God’s Word and sharing it with wisdom, grace, and humility and trust that God will do what He wants with it. God can share however He sees fit and we can be assured in that. 
I think we look for four things: acknowledgement, acceptance, approval, and affirmation. We want to be acknowledged by others and to know that we matter. We want to know if we will fit in and if people will like us. And we want to know if we are doing well.  
These are not inherently bad things to want. The problem is when we seek these things from the wrong places. We must seek validation from God and not from others. We may never face persecution as Stephen did (Acts 6 - 7), but we are called to live for our faith. To live for the One who died for us (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). That will mean recognizing that as believers we have been rescued from sin. That will lead us to want to live for God.
You Don’t Have to Answer the Door! 
God saved me from sin and from myself. I could not stand against temptation and sin without the strength of Christ. As Paul spoke about in Romans 7, “For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”  Understanding our identity in Christ can change our perspective on sin and living for Jesus. We can face persecution or temptation with the strength of Christ. 
Bible Verses:
Philippians 2:3
Numbers 22:22-35
John 12:12-15
Acts 6-7
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Colossians 1:13
2 Thessalonians 1:9
Romans 7
1 John 1:8-9
"Live for God by connecting faith and life."

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