I just want to talk about the Bible

Reading the Bible is not an academic exercise, but an investment in a relationship. Today we talk about how the main objective in the entire Christian life is to know Jesus. If we miss the relational component of our walks with Him, then we miss everything.

Episodes referenced in this one:
Episode 4: Brief overview of the Old Testament
Episode 24: The Gospel

Scriptures used in this episode:
John 17:3
Jeremiah 22:8-9
Ezekiel 33:10-11
2 Peter 3:9
Ezekiel 18:32
Ezekiel 18:23
Romans 6:23
Ezekiel 18:4
Jonah 1:1-3a
Jonah 3:1-10
Jonah 4:1-4, 11
Matthew 23:12
Luke 15:17-24
John 1:14
Philippians 2:12-13
Matthew 11:28
Ezekiel 34:1-6, 15-16
John 10:11
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
John 14:8-9
Hebrews 1:1-3

**CORRECTIONS/CLARIFICATIONS**
When quoting John 10:11, I accidentally omitted the second occurrence of the word "good". Here is the actual Scripture: " I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

If you feel so led, you can support the podcast by clicking HERE or by clicking the "Support the show" button above. I Just Want to Talk about the Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which means that any donations made are tax-deductible. Thank you so much for giving as the Lord leads!

Take care!

Today we continue the conversation that we  began in the previous episode about fighting against a victim mentality. Specifically, today we look at two things: a practical application and a caution.

Episodes referenced:

Episode 24: The Gospel
Episode 55: Prisoners in unlocked cells, part 1

Resources mentioned:

The Jesus Storybook Bible
Experiencing God

Scriptures used/referenced:

Galatians 6:7
James 4:8
Proverbs 12:15
James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5
Proverbs 6:6-11
Proverbs 27:12
Proverbs 19:3
Genesis 3:1-7
Proverbs 18:10
John 14:15
Matthew 4:1-11
Romans 8:9
1 Corinthians 10:13
Romans 5:8
Ephesians 2:4-9
Psalm 103:13-34
Psalm 145:17
Luke 6:35
Revelation 20:11-15
Matthew 5:44-45
Psalm 27:13-14
Matthew 7:7-11

**CORRECTIONS/CLARIFICATIONS**

I said there was a disconnect between what the person in the financial example was sowing and reaping. What I meant was that in their mind there is a disconnect because they couldn’t seem to see (or they refused to see) the connection.

Proverbs 19:3 has an even broader application than just how I used it in this episode. For example, it could also refer to a person who was aware of the consequences of their actions and yet expected God to shield them from those consequences nonetheless.

If you feel so led, you can support the podcast by clicking HERE or by clicking the "Support the show" button above. I Just Want to Talk about the Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which means that any donations made are tax-deductible. Thank you so much for giving as the Lord leads!

Take care!

In this episode we discuss the subtlety and peril of having a victim mentality. It's something that we can all fall into if we're not paying attention, and, if we're not careful, such a mentality has the power to dominate our lives and color the way we see everything that happens around us.

Other episodes mentioned in this one:

Episode 12: His steadfast love endures forever
Episode 54: How to respond to pressure and stress

Scriptures referenced:

Psalm 107:6, 13, 19, 28
Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31
Psalm 138:3
Romans 12:2
Philippians 4:13
2 Peter 1:3-4
Romans 8:11
Joshua 6:26
1 Kings 16:34
1 Corinthians 13:11
Romans 3:4
Psalm 27
Psalm 18:29
Hebrews 13:5
Psalm 107:1
1 Samuel 16:14
Psalm 51:11
John 14:16
Psalm 20:7-8
Matthew 26:63
Hebrews 12:2
Philippians 2:5
1 Corinthians 2:16
2 Chronicles 16:12
Psalm 42:10-11
Romans 8:37
Romans 8:31
Romans 8:28-29
Philippians 4:6-7
Jeremiahs 22:8-9
Jeremiah 32:14-15

**CORRECTIONS/CLARIFICATIONS**

• Regarding the curse laid on anyone who would rebuild Jericho, note what the latter part of 1 Kings 16:34 says, "according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun". Notice that it was a word from the Lord spoken by Joshua. It originated with the Lord. He was the source of the power behind the pronouncement.
• When reading 1 Corinthians 13:11 I added the word "but" to emphasize the contrast, but "but" is not in the actual passage.
• The point I was making by quoting Romans 3:4 is that God and His Word are true, period. They are true regardless of everything else. If the truth of God bumps up against something we think, then it is we who need to adjust and correct to the Word of God and not the other way around.
• I paraphrased Philippians 4:6-7. It wasn't a direct quote.

If you feel so led, you can support the podcast by clicking HERE or by clicking the "Support the show" button above. I Just Want to Talk about the Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which means that any donations made are tax-deductible. Thank you so much for giving as the Lord leads!

Take care!

Today we look at some biblical principles regarding how to respond to pressures and change them from being destructive to being constructive.

Quotes:

• To abide in Jesus is to live in fellowship with Him every moment of every day. (Vance Pitman)
• Fruit is the life of the Vine pressed out through the branches. (Vance Pitman)
• The life of Jesus in me being lived through me (Vance Pitman)

Other episodes mentioned in this one:

• Episode 7: Meditating on the Scriptures, Part 1
• Episode 12: His steadfast love endures forever
• Episode 24: The Gospel

Scriptures used:

• Psalm 107:1
• Psalm 107:43
• Psalm 107:6, 13, 19, 28
• Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31
• Romans 8:38-39
• John 3:16
• Psalm 138:3
• Psalm 143
• James 4:8
• Psalm 105:4
• Hebrews 11:6
• John 15:4-5
• Galatians 2:20
• Colossians 1:27
• James 1:5-6
• Matthew 7:28-29
• Philippians 4:13
• 1 John 4:19
• Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
• Mark 2:1-12
• James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5
• Matthew 23:12
• Galatians 6:2
• Proverbs 17:17
• James 5:16
• Psalm 121:1-2
• Psalm 34:8
• Psalm 1:1-3

If you feel so led, you can support the podcast by clicking HERE or by clicking the "Support the show" button above. I Just Want to Talk about the Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which means that any donations made are tax-deductible. Thank you so much for giving as the Lord leads!

Take care!

Our love for the Lord is a response to His love for us. Like 1 John 4:19 says, "We love because he first loved us." And our obedience to the Lord should flow out of our love for Him.

In this episode we talk about the Lord's love for us as seen through some of the things that the Lord did for us through the Gospel. As we come to know and believe these things more and more, our hearts will swell with reciprocal love for God.

Other episodes referenced in this one:
Episode 7: Meditating on the Scriptures, part 1
Episode 14: Our funeral leads to our freedom
Episode 24: The Gospel

Here is the list that I read and some corresponding Scriptures:

Because of what Jesus has done:

• All of our sins and shortcomings are completely and totally covered and forgiven (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 2:13-14).
• We have been redeemed (our debt was fully paid, the wrath of God has been fully satisfied and no longer rests on us, Jesus was the propitiation—He died in our place) (Romans 3:23-26; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:13-14; Colossians 2:13-14; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
• We have been adopted as sons and daughters of God (Ephesians 1:4c-5; Romans 8:15).
• We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3).
• We are holy and blameless before God (Ephesians 1:4a-b).
• In Christ we have been justified (made righteous, made right, approved of and accepted by God) (Romans 3:23-26; Romans 8:33-34; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
• We don’t have to be perfect. We put no confidence in the flesh. We are freed from looking for a righteousness of our own that would come by trying to keep the law (Philippians 3:8-9; Romans 6:14).
• We have peace with God (Romans 5:1).
• We live in the grace of God (Romans 5:2).
• Who we are is not who we were. We’ve been made new. We died with Christ and were raised with Him (Romans 6:6; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 2:11-12).
• There is no condemnation for us in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
• We have the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-11).
• We are heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16-17).
• All things work together for our good (Romans 8:28-29).
• We are more than conquerors through Him (Romans 8:37).
• Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39).
• We are seated in the heavenly places with Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:4-7).
• We have direct access to God through Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:11-12; Hebrews 4:14-16; 10:19-22).

Additional Scriptures used:
John 14:15
Matthew 5:21-22
1 Samuel 16:7
James 2:17, 26
Galatians 5:22-23
Matthew 22:37-40
John 19:30
Matthew 16:13-17
Hebrews 12:3-13
John 3:16
Romans 6:1-2
John 1:12-13
Romans 10:13
John 17:3

**CORRECTIONS/CLARIFICATIONS**
John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." When quoting it, I said "shall" instead of "should".

If you feel so led, you can support the podcast by clicking HERE or by clicking the "Support the show" button above. I Just Want to Talk about the Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which means that any donations made are tax-deductible. Thank you so much for giving as the Lord leads!

Take care!

In this episode we look at a passage from Jeremiah and ask ourselves a hard question based on what we read.

Other episodes referenced in this one:

Episode 4: Brief overview of the Old Testament
Episode 6: Surrender: a firsthand experience
Episode 50: The Lord knows best

Scriptures referenced:

Jeremiah 1:4-8
Jeremiah 2:4-13
Jeremiah 22:8-9
Jeremiah 42:1-22
Deuteronomy 5:29
Jeremiah 43:1-7
Psalm 40:8
Matthew 26:39
Luke 6:46
Psalm 107:6
Psalm 40:1-3

If you feel so led, you can support the podcast by clicking HERE or by clicking the "Support the show" button above. I Just Want to Talk about the Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which means that any donations made are tax-deductible. Thank you so much for giving as the Lord leads!

Take care!

"Pray as if it all depends on God, and work as if it all depends on you." That's something a man of God I used to know would say, and it captures the focus of this episode. Today we look at how we need to do what we can do and then depend on God to do what only He can do.

Other episodes referenced in this one:
Episode 7: Meditating on the Scriptures, part 1

You can access the commentary I read the quote from about John 2:4 HERE.

Scriptures used:
John 2:1-11
John 19:26-27
John 11:38-44
Matthew 17:20
Matthew 28:18-20
John 6:44
Psalm 1:1-3
Psalm 119:11
2 Timothy 2:7
Psalm 105:4
Psalm 27:8
Psalm 119:10
Jeremiah 29:13
Hebrews 11:6
James 4:8
Matthew 7:7

**CORRECTIONS/CLARIFICATIONS**
I referred to Psalm 27:6. The correct reference is actually Psalm 27:8.

If you feel so led, you can support the podcast by clicking HERE or by clicking the "Support the show" button above. I Just Want to Talk about the Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which means that any donations made are tax-deductible. Thank you so much for giving as the Lord leads!

Take care!

Happy 50th episode!

In this episode we discuss the peril of doing what seems best to us and the importance of trusting the Lord in every circumstance even when it may not make sense to us.

Other episodes referenced in this one:
Episode 6: Surrender: A Firsthand Experience

Scriptures used:
Proverbs 14:12
Proverbs 16:25
John 10:10
Proverbs 3:7-8
Proverbs 12:15
Proverbs 26:12
Judges 17:6
Judges 21:25
Romans 12:19-21
Matthew 5:38-42
Genesis 3:1-6
Revelation 12:9
John 3:16
Romans 5:8
1 John 3:1
1 John 4:9-10
Psalm 16:11
Proverbs 3:5-6
Psalm 103:13-14

If you feel so led, you can support the podcast by clicking HERE or by clicking the "Support the show" button above. I Just Want to Talk about the Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which means that any donations made are tax-deductible. Thank you so much for giving as the Lord leads!

Take care!

In this episode we discuss the importance of trusting the Lord, and we see how our emotions are indicators of our thoughts. It's our responsibility to meditate upon the Word of God, to ask God for wisdom, and to analyze our thoughts and see if they line up with the truth of God's Word. But we must also be dependent upon the Holy Spirit in this process. Apart from His power, we won't be able to do what we discuss in this episode (see 1 Corinthians 2:11-12). Like Jesus said, "...apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

Here is the declaration I shared in this episode: My emotions are not intrinsically trustworthy, and I am not led by them; rather, it is the Lord and His Word that govern my thoughts and actions. (Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”)

Remember, if we don't control our thoughts, they will control us. When we find ourselves sinking like Peter was, we need to pay attention to the thoughts we are thinking that are leading to that. Or, to put it simply: when we find ourselves sinking, ask, "What am I thinking?"

Other episodes referenced in this one:

Episode 24: The Gospel
Episode 44: The renewal of our minds
Episode 48: Five loaves and two fish

Scriptures referenced in this episode:

Matthew 14:22-33
Mark 6:48
James 2:26
Isaiah 26:3
James 1:5-6
Romans 12:2
Ephesians 4:22-24
Matthew 6:25-34
John 1:12-13
Psalm 56:3-4
Psalm 42:11
Philippians 4:8-9
John 8:44
John 14:6
Philippians 4:6-7
John 10:10
John 16:33
Romans 8:37

**CORRECTIONS/CLARIFICATIONS**
When I said that "we" had physical bodies in the garden before the fall, I was referring to Adam and Eve, of course. By "we" I meant humankind.

If you feel so led, you can support the podcast by clicking HERE or by clicking the "Support the show" button above. I Just Want to Talk about the Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which means that any donations made are tax-deductible. Thank you so much for giving as the Lord leads!

Take care!

In this episode we discuss how if we bring to the Lord what we have He can take it and multiply it into something greater than we could have ever imagined for His glory and the good of others. Just remember: you can be used to make an impact in the kingdom go God!

Here is where the feeding of the 5,000 can be found in each Gospel account: Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15

Other episodes referenced in this one:
Episode 15: Abide, part 1
Episode 16: Abide, part 2
Episode 24: The Gospel

Scriptures used/referenced:
Mark 6:30-44
Luke 9:11
John 6:8-9
Matthew 14:21
Ephesians 2:8-10
Exodus 3:1-4:17
Judges 6-8
1 Corinthians 12:12-20
John 15:1-5
Matthew 13:3-9
Matthew 13:18-23
Galatians 6:2

If you feel so led, you can support the podcast by clicking HERE or by clicking the "Support the show" button above. I Just Want to Talk about the Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which means that any donations made are tax-deductible. Thank you so much for giving as the Lord leads!

Take care!