The Bible Speaks to You: Embracing the Mindset of Christ James Early

236 – If the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to your church, what would he say?

First, imagine if you had lived back in the days of the early Christian Church. Paul may have come to your church to preach.

And you may have received a letter from him later with some helpful ideas, prayers, and reminders of what he told you when he was there.

Of course, he might also rebuke you for a couple of things your church was doing that wasn't faithful to Christ.

Now, think of your church today.

What would Paul say to your church?

In this week's episode, I create an imaginary church in Franklin, Tennessee in the United States. I talk about some of it's strengths and some of its challenges, in particular, a couple of members who are real sticklers for the letter of the  law. Legalism is keeping this church from growing.

I write a letter to this church, in the style of Paul, just to give an idea  of what he might have said.

All this is to get you to think about what Paul would have said to your church.

Do you want your church to grow?

Here's a prayer project for you and your whole church. Please choose one of Paul's letters to a church and read it as if he had written it to your church. What can you learn about how to follow Jesus collectively as a church from this?

Please contact me to let me know what you discover in this process.

Show notes:
For a full transcript of this episode and all Bible quotes referred to, go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/236.

Previous episode mentioned:
235: How to Be Filled with the Fullness of God
Support the show
_________________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life.


Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

235 – What does it even mean to be filled with God's fullness?

In his letter to the Ephesians, at the end of Chapter 3, Paul prays that the church members would know the love of Christ and be filled with all the fullness of God.

But is that even possible?

Most Christians I talk to think that's the sort of thing that happens after they die and go to heaven.  But Paul is praying for the Ephesians to experience here on earth.

In this week's episode, I talk about Paul's prayer (there's a lot more in there that applies to you and me as well).  Fortunately Paul gives some really helpful guidance in chapters 4, 5, and 6, which helps prepare us to be able to receive the fullness of God.
You know this passage, (Ephesians 4:22-24) but think about it as a roadmap to experiencing the love of Christ and the fullness of God.
Put off your old sinful nature, which is corrupt and deceitfulBe renewed by the Spirit in your mindPut on your new self, created to be like God, truly righteous and holyHow do we put off our sinful nature? 
Paul makes it sound so simple. In this episode I share two key points that will help you let go of the sin mindset and embrace the mindset of holiness and righteousness.

Your sin does not define you

A previous episode mentioned this week has some great insights on how to get rid of your sinful nature, change your mindset, and accept your true identity as a child of God. Check out Episode 144: Finding Your Identity in the Bible with Keith Ferrin.

Show notes
For a full transcript and all Bible verses mentioned in this episode, go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/235
Support the show
_________________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life.


Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

234 – Do you have a hard time forgiving yourself?

Right. Join the club. It's not easy to forgive yourself. But it's something we need to do. And we can.

This week I look at several Bible characters who, in one way or another, had to come to terms with the mistakes they made and their sins.

The Bible doesn't tell us what these folks were thinking and if they ever forgave themselves or if it was enough just to feel God's forgiveness.

Here are the people I talk about this week. Do you think they ever forgave themselves? If you had done what they did, would you be able to forgive yourself?
Samson: Did he forgive himself for being deceived by Delilah?King David: Did he ever regret the choices he made with Bathsheba and Uriah?Peter: Did he ever forgive himself for denying Jesus three times?Paul: Did he forgive himself for persecuting Christians before he converted?When you have a hard time forgiving yourself, what may be going on is that you haven’t felt worthy of, accepted, or experienced God’s forgiveness of your sin, perhaps because there’s someone you need to forgive. 

When you forgive, you’ll be able to accept and experience God’s forgiveness. When God has washed away your sins, even the tiniest mistake, there is nothing left to forgive, no longer a need to forgive yourself.
Wherever you are on the path of forgiveness, whether of someone else or yourself, take a moment right now to take a humble look at any situation where you need to forgive someone else or yourself.

And then…forgive.

Previous episodes on forgiveness
Episode 18: Forgiving 70 x 7: How I Forgave My 8th Grade Gym Teacher
Episode 97: Mark Sowersby - Forgiveness Brings Freedom 

Show notes:
For full transcript and Bible references: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/234
Support the show
_________________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life.


Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

233 – Where are you looking for Jesus?

A lot of people are looking for Jesus these days, the real Jesus.

Unfortunately, a lot of people have become disillusioned by the difference between what they’re discovering about Jesus in the Bible and the way their churches have followed, or rather not followed, Jesus.

This week's episode is about where to look for Jesus and where not look for him. The Bible gives some pretty good insights on this.

Where NOT to look for Jesus:
Your preconceptions and opinionsSomeone else's opinionsTheological debates and man-made doctrinesAsleep at the back of a boatOn the crossIn the tomb Where TO look for Jesus:
The BibleJesus's teachingsYour obedience to Jesus's teachingsThe way you help and heal people in needIn heaven at the right hand of GodBut your motives in looking for Jesus are just as important as where you look for him.
Take a moment and ask yourself: 
Where are you trying to find Christ? And just as important: Why are you looking for Christ in the first place? Is it for the loaves and fish? Is it to be healed? Is it because you are hungry and thirsty for righteousness?The only real place to look for and find Jesus, the real Jesus, is in his pure spiritual dwelling place in heaven, the realm of God, the realm of Spirit.

The best way to find Jesus is to close your material eyes and open your spiritual eyes.

You will find Jesus when you look through the honest and sincere lens of your own heart: every time you follow and obey his teachings, every time you search for him in Scripture, every time you help others and heal in his name.

When you do these things, you can say with Stephen, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56  NIV)

Show notes:
Full transcript of the episode and all Bible quotes: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/233
Support the show
_________________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life.


Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

232 – Is anything keeping you from doing what God has called you to do?

Do you have a strong sense of purpose in your life but it seems things keep getting in the way of you doing what God has called you to do?

Or maybe you're still waiting to see what God wants you to do with your life.

Sometimes, even when we know what God's will is for our lives, we haven't really pursued it because somehow we're waiting to get permission and approval from someone else.

This week's episode is all about not waiting for someone to give you permission to do what God has called you to do.

There are lots of people in the Bible who didn't wait for someone else to give them the green light before they jumped in and did what God wanted them to. Here are the folks I talk about this week:
David: didn't ask permission to fight Goliath. He just did itJesus: didn't ask permission to preach, teach, heal, and forgive peopleJesus: didn't ask permission to say everything he wanted in the Sermon on the MountThe Disciples: didn't get permission to speak in tongues on the day of PentecostPeter: didn't get permission to preach to the crowd on the day of PentecostPaul: did ask permission to speak to an angry crowd, but didn't ask permission  for what to sayThere are a few exceptions - listen to this episode to find out what they areThe bottom line is: when God calls you to do or say something, you don't need anyone's permission or approval.

Previous episode mentioned:
Episode 19: How to Discover Your Spiritual Purpose in Life 
Show notes:
For a full transcript and Bible quotes: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/232
Support the show
_________________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life.


Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here

231 – Do you notice when God is trying to get your attention?

God talks to us in lots of ways. But how often do we notice?

Take a minute to think of all the ways God tries to get your attention. 

Sometimes it might be because you're doing something you shouldn't. Sometimes it's because you're not doing something you should.

And sometimes it's because your doing exactly what God wants you to do and He's confirming that you're right where you need to be.

In this week's episode, I talk about how God got the attention of several Bible characters. And it wasn't always rainbows and butterflies. And how God used others to get their attention
Moses and the burning bush, but more importantly it's how God talked to himJonah: God had to get his attention lots of times (does that ever happen to you?)The Israelites often didn't pay attention to how God tried to get their attention  through the prophets. Guess what happened to them!John the Baptist got people's attention and pointed to JesusJesus really got people's attention and pointed them back to God, not just because of all the people he healed, but especially because of the crucifixion and resurrectionHow does all this apply to you and me?

God is always trying to get your attention. Why? Because He loves you and He wants the very best for you.

Please take some time to look back on your life and ponder all the ways God has spoken to you, protected you, directed you, rebuked you, provided for you, healed you.
Every time these things happen, even if you don’t realize God is there doing it, God is calling out to you, saying, “I see you. Do you see Me? Look for Me everywhere in your life. Trust Me. Love Me. Lean on Me. Ask Me for what you need. I am here for you. Pay attention to Me and all the love I have for you."
How is God getting your attention today? Then... what will you do next?

Show notes:
Full transcript of Episode 231 and Bible verses 
Support the show
_________________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life.


Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person) Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus) Make a donation to support the show Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you Contact James here