Faith Matters Podcast

Fight Disappointment

Faith Matters Podcast with Andi and Brian HaleFight DisappointmentGetting Unstuck by Meredith Schafer on YouversionWhen we are stuck, not only do we have to be vigilant to guard against discouragement, but we also have to fight disappointment that can feel like a cold, soggy blanket thrown over our lives.Disappointment can make us ruminate on the decision that cost us, the hurt that came to us through no fault of our own, or the dry bones of our dreams that we can’t bear to look at anymore. Disappointment is a destiny-killer. But it doesn’t have to be.Disappointment is a tool the enemy likes to use to keep us stuck, to make us unable to move forward. But when we believe God’s promise that no weapon formed against us will prosper, as Isaiah 54:17 reminds us, we take ground for our dreams.Put Your Dreams on NoticeTo get unstuck, we have to take part in the fight against disappointment by taking back our destinies. If you have ever felt like your dreams were no longer attainable, if you have ever wanted to do or be something other than you are right now, if you feel so stuck in a rut that you’re starting to pick out paint colors, take heart! Even dry bones that hear the word of the Lord must rise again.Ezekiel 37:4-5 paints a picture that translates to the dry bones of our dreams: Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.”Ezekiel prophesied the word of the Lord to dead things, and they became alive!Putting your dreams on notice is prophesying to them that God’s not finished yet, and you have the faith to keep going until they come to fruition.Create New VisionSometimes we get disappointed because our vision for our destiny has gotten cloudy or dusty in that stuck place, and we can’t see as clearly as we need to to keep going. This is a great place to ask God for a new vision.When he gives you the new vision, the next steps, the way out of that rut, get excited, friend! The dry bones of your dreams can no longer be dusty and lifeless when activated by the word and hand of God.Keep fighting disappointment, knowing that the Lord has your back. Whatever he has put in motion cannot be stopped, even by getting stuck.Action: Speak Ezekiel 37:4-5 over your dreams. You might feel awkward or weird at first but speaking the word of the Lord is the most powerful thing you can do.Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. Ezekiel 37:4‭-‬5"no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 54:17Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8Prayer: God–I need you to help me fight against disappointment. Help me put my dreams on notice that I will no longer be stuck in this place. Please show me what new vision you have for my life, and then give me the courage to implement it. Thank you for making dead things come to life! In Jesus’ precious and mighty name, amen.

Guard Against Discouragement

Guard Against DiscouragementGetting Unstuck by Meredith Schafer on YouversionWhen we fail, when life doesn’t turn out the way we hope, or when someone lets us down, we can feel discouraged–that is a natural human response.We get stuck when we stay in that place of discouragement too long (or can’t figure out how to move out of it).There will be times when discouragement overwhelms us. But we can get unstuck when we begin to think about the things of God: things that are true, noble, lovely, excellent, and of good report, just as Philippians 4:8 reminds us. When we start meditating on those things instead of the ways we are disappointed, that can go a long way toward moving forward.Change Your PerspectiveIf you want to supercharge getting unstuck, try to look at things from a new perspective. Did your best friend hurt your feelings? Zoom out to see if something else is going on. Were they having a bad day, or did their words come from their own place of hurt?Maybe you are discouraged because you didn’t get your dream job despite your best efforts or being qualified for it. If you can begin to look through the lens of gratitude for the ways God has shown up for you before, it can keep you from sitting in discouragement too long.Often, getting unstuck is as simple as changing our minds. Don’t get me wrong: It is ok to feel what you feel. You just can’t stay there.So, what are other ways to change your perspective? Ask a mentor or trusted friend what their thoughts on your situation are. Play worship music–it is hard to feel discouraged for too long when you begin to praise the Lord. Write out your frustrations; sometimes, dumping them out helps relieve the emotion surrounding them.It is so hard to feel stuck, but the good news is that you can take action to change your perspective. Getting unstuck may take some time, and it is usually a process, so don’t forget to give yourself a little grace. That, plus a new perspective, can open your eyes to the way out of the rut you find yourself in.Action: Journal your gratitude, reach out to a friend, pour your heart out to the Lord, or worship. Pick any one of these things to help walk you through the process of getting unstuck.For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Romans 15:4Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23Prayer: God of Heaven and earth, thank you for being with me even in the stuck places. You know the way out, and I put my trust in you. I know you will show me the next step at exactly the right time. Help me guard my heart against discouragement and help me change my perspective. Please show me what I am missing right now. Help me change my mind, in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Unleash Your Creativity

Unleash Your CreativitySometimes we just have to shake things up when we're stuck.After answering the questions honestly on Day 1, hopefully, you know what has gotten you stuck. Now it is time to do something about it.Listen in to this Faith Matters podcast with Andi and Brian Hale.Sometimes we just have to shake things up when we’re stuck.After answering the questions honestly on Day 1, hopefully, you know what has gotten you stuck. Now it is time to do something about it.You may be thinking to yourself I’m not that creative. But the Bible says we are formed in God’s image and that he is the Creator–that means we are creative, whether or not we feel like we are.So how do we unleash our creativity?Spend Time with the CreatorWhen we spend time with God regularly, we develop a relationship with him. We hear his voice more clearly, are encouraged by his word, and get inspired by The Creator himself.Jesus did this a lot. Mark 1:35 (NIV) says Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place where he prayed. Even Jesus had to leave behind the crowds and his disciples so that he could spend time with his Father.Try Something NewDon’t be afraid to try something new. Jump into that creative flow with both feet: paint a picture, write a song, read a poem, rearrange your furniture, make a necklace, play with clay, or join your kids in a game of tag. Doing something different can change your perspective.Don’t Forget Self-CareBurnout, tough times in a relationship, or being under an avalanche of financial worries sometimes makes us forget about ourselves. Remember what you used to do that made you feel like yourself? Do that again!You are worth it. Even if you don’t have all the answers or still feel stuck, you will begin to feel better if you take good care of yourself. When you feel better, you do better.Action: Shake things up today: spend time with the Creator in a new way or time. Do something new. Follow that up by doing something good for yourself.Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 1 Corinthians 6:19So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27Prayer: Creator of Everything–help me to be more like you! Holy Spirit, show me how to step into the flow of creativity with boldness so we can move out of this stuck place together. Remind me that I am creative because you made me that way–you created me to be creative! Thank you, and I love you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Why Are You Stuck?

Faith Matters Podcast with Andi and Brian HaleWhy are you stuck?Getting Unstuck, a five day devotional from Meredith Shafer on YouVersion with Andi and Brian Hale.It happens to the best of us. There comes a time when we don’t know which way to go. We can’t figure out the next step, and after a while, we realize we are stuck.It may seem like you aren’t moving forward because of burnout, an unsatisfying job, a relationship in a tough spot, unmanaged health issues, not knowing your WHY, feeling like you don’t have options or a financial hit. These can leave you feeling stuck in the mud.But there is a way out.Be HonestTo get unstuck, you have to figure out why you are stuck. Asking yourself hard questions and answering them honestly is a good start. To get where we are going, we must know where we are starting.Spending time in prayer, journaling, or meditating on God’s word are great ways to get to the heart of the matter. And usually, being stuck is a matter of the heart.If you don’t drill down to the main issue, you will continue spinning your wheels.Ask for WisdomSometimes we can’t figure out why we’re not moving forward. Asking God for his wisdom is always a good idea. Jeremiah 33:3 says Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.God has everything you need to get unstuck. And he will use this season to make you better, stronger, and more capable for the next. When things get hard, that is usually the training ground he has for us.Action: Answer the following questions:-Am I stuck because of my job, relationship, health, or finances? Is it something else?-What feelings am I getting stuck in because of my situation?-Do I have some areas of my heart that I need to declutter to move forward?Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3‭-‬5Prayer: Father, I can’t seem to get any traction, and I need your help. Please give me your wisdom, so I know what step to take next. Take all these big emotions I am feeling in this stuck place and heal me. I want to walk out the purpose you have for me, but I can’t do it without you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

AVALON LIVE!

Faith Matters; Book of Signs - Ch 23 Two Witnesses

Faith Matterw with Brian and Andi HaleChapter 23 of The Book of Signs, with Dr. David Jeremiah. God will not write off the billions of unbelievers groping in darkness after the Rapture. He will send rescuers - voices to proclaim the gospel - offering a secure lifeline out of the depths of their impending doom. But even amid the horrors of the Tribulation period, some will heed the two witnesses' message of redemption and respond to the loving call of God.