Faith Matters Podcast

#402 - Church Words; Day 1 of 7 Habits of Holiness

Church Words Day 1 of 5 Habits of Holiness from youversion read by Andi and Brian Hale

#401 - Faith Matters; True Colors Authentic Self

Pastor Bob McCartney gave a sermon series on current social issues this fall highlighting the truth found in the Bible. Here are my notes from this second sermon in his series, True Colors.The deepest truth about you what is God says about you. We all live with absolute truth except in the area of morality where we want it to be negotiable.1. We were created on purpose for a purpose2. We are deeply flawed by sin3. We are lavishly loved beyond measure

#395 - Seeking Wisdom Day 5 of 5 : Wise Fear

Wise FearThere are good fears. The fear of God is one of them. It is foundational. It feeds all other good fears. Wise is the man or woman who first fears God. Fear of God is fervent at the beginning of your faith walk. It is the honeymoon stage of your marriage with Christ. You don’t know any better than to do what is expected. But if the fear of God is neglected, you drift into disobedience (Psalm 36:1). Like any other belief or discipline, the fear of God needs to be fostered by faith and obedience. Fear of God keeps you honest with Him and with yourself. It is the beginning of accountability. The grace of God—without the fear of God—is an illusion. There can be no grace without fear, just as there is no fear without grace. Foolish is the one who does not fear God. The fruits of not fearing God are foolish choices and undisciplined living. Furthermore, success is an enemy to fearing the Lord. The more you experience success, the more you are prone to not fear. However, the opposite needs to be true. The more successes you enjoy, the more you need the fear of God and the fear of sin’s consequences. Success, many times, grants you autonomy. It is here that you are wise to increase your level of accountability. Be brutally honest with yourself. You can’t handle autonomy without accountability. David couldn’t, and he was a man after God’s heart (Acts 13:22). Autonomy without accountability leads to a series of bad decisions, and left unchecked, to immoral behavior. No one is above the law, and no one is above accountability. Wise is the leader who builds accountability into his faith, finances, family, work, and leisure. Those who don’t think they need it need it the most. Maybe you start by hiring a personal assistant of the same gender who is with you at work and on business trips. This is your opportunity to mentor a young, up-and-coming leader, and it is his or her opportunity to hold you accountable. We all do better when others are watching. Fear of the Lord keeps you from sinning (Exodus 20:20). Invite accountability from your spouse, board, boss, and accountability group. Be transparent with your professional and personal finances. Tell your spouse when you become emotionally attached to someone else. Be very discreet about your alone time. Idleness leads to indiscretion. You are wise to reserve solitude for your Savior, your spouse, and special friends. Fear of God is your friend. Fear of the consequences of sin is smart. Fear of being unaccountable is wise. Fear of God is freeing. Therefore, fear God, hate sin, and trust Him.

#394 - Seeking Wisdom Day 4 of 5 : Wisdom’s Wealth

Day 4 of 5 from Seeking Daily The Heart of GodWisdom’s Wealth Wisdom is like money. Its value compounds over time. If you regularly add wisdom to your life, you become wealthy in the ways of God. This is why it is imperative that you get wisdom above most everything else in your life. Wisdom is the ability to discern right from wrong and to understand what is true and lasting. It is your ally that will assist you in defeating the enemy. Satan is toothless in the presence of the wisdom of God. Do not attempt to defeat the devil with your own limited understanding. Rather, crush him with the weapon of wisdom. A life built on the foundation of wisdom can withstand the winds of change and the waves of adversity (Proverbs 28:26). Wisdom keeps you engaged with God’s perspective. It is a life preserver for the drowning, a compass for the lost explorer, and a light on a dark and perplexing situation. Wisdom is like gold, and gold is not always easy to find. There is a price to pay. There is a price to pay in the process of its discovery and in its acquisition (Proverbs 16:16). Gray hair does not guarantee wisdom, but examined experience does position you to obtain wisdom. It is possible to be an old fool or to be wise beyond your years. Young or aged, smart, or of average IQ, with either, you can gain wisdom. Wisdom begins and ends with the fear of God. The fear of God means you engage His teaching with your heart and mind (Proverbs 15:33). Wisdom precludes a passive relationship with God. Wisdom means you meditate on His ways and truths. You prayerfully and respectfully ask Him why, what, and how as it relates to His way of doing things. As followers of God, we have the mind of Christ. Through contemplation on His Word and understanding of His truth, wisdom will begin to reign in our everyday life. By God’s grace, wisdom will allow you to synthesize multiple options into the best course of action.Wisdom can take a complex situation and offer simple solutions. Wisdom has the uncanny ability to cut through the layers of agendas and motives, and get to the real issues. Wisdom is a no-nonsense defender of common sense and truth. It is very practical. Wisdom originates from God and resides with Him. He has the trademark and the patent. Anyone who attempts to take credit for its effectiveness may risk losing the rights to use it. Humility tempered with wisdom leads to wise decision-making. Take time to listen and learn from wise people. This could save you heartache from a relational train wreck or the loss of money from a bad financial decision. Be wise; listen to both God and His wise mentors. You get wisdom to give wisdom, sharing wisdom’s wealth with those who steward it well.But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? No mortal comprehends its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living.Job 28:12‭-‬13 NIVhttps://bible.com/bible/111/job.28.12-13.NIVAnd he said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”Job 28:28 NIVhttps://job.bible/job-28-28Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.Proverbs 28:26 NIVhttps://proverbs.bible/proverbs-28-26How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!Proverbs 16:16 NIVhttps://proverbs.bible/proverbs-16-16Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.Proverbs 15:33 NIVhttps://proverbs.bible/proverbs-15-33

Purpose Driven Life - (Ch. 40 of 40) Living with Purpose

Living on purpose is the only way to really live. Everything else is just existing. When God's at the center of your life, you worship. When He's not, you worry. You can start living on purpose today!

#393 - Seeking Wisdom Day 3 of 5 : Wisdom from Humility

Seeking God's Heart daily on the topic of Wisdom from YouVersion by Boyd Bailey as read by Andi and Brian Hale. This is Day 3 of 5.