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The Truth Of The Matter is Episode 184: The Theme for the New Year 2025 “Remain Emotionally And Mentally Available.”
19 Plays5 days ago
The genesis of this podcast began in June 2021 and we are glad to have made it to 2025. We are thankful and can’t wait to see how God plans to use us this New year. With a look back at previous themes for the year we are excited to bring you another theme for the New year. In 2022 we shared with you the importance of Filling up your Jar. In 2023 we talked about why you should Preference your Approach and communication. In 2024 we said that you should be prepared and ready for God to use you as his instrument for righteousness. And for 2025 it’s about being Emotionally And Mentally Available.” Tune in to understand the thought behind why this is the theme for the truth of the matter is podcast and how these themes all work together to help the body of Christ amen.
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Transcript
Introduction to 2025
00:00:17
Speaker
This is the Truth of the Matterist podcast. I'm your host, Jonathan. This is episode 184. Before we begin, let's give you a round of applause for pressing play and obviously joining us in 2025.
00:00:39
Speaker
We thank you all in advance, obviously, for continuing to press play at your own convenience. Welcome, and I'm sure many of you are glad to be entering a new year.
New Year's Resolutions: Yay or Nay?
00:00:51
Speaker
Here on the Truth in the Matters podcast, we actually don't believe in New Year's resolutions. Instead, we are proponents and advertisers of things.
00:01:02
Speaker
The text that supports this verse 25, and it states this. It is a trap to dedicate something rashly only later to consider one's vow. Again, it is a trap to dedicate something rashly only later to consider one's vow.
00:01:29
Speaker
So for someone to be rashly is for them to be hasty or thoughtless. And this normally pertains to the present and future decisions, okay?
Strength and Promises
00:01:40
Speaker
I say that one more time. For someone to be rashly is for them to be too hasty or thoughtless. And that normally comes from
00:01:59
Speaker
The objective is to make a promise to yourself. And that promise, you are trying to fulfill it with your own strength. And the sake of trying to do that falls That shouldn't be a justified reason.
00:02:29
Speaker
This is why I have said that if you plan to make changes because of the new year, it's going to be looked at as rashly and foolhardy.
Gradual Personal Change
00:02:39
Speaker
Because you're much more And I know you might be saying, what about those who do think it out well?
00:02:59
Speaker
I guess my suggestion is anytime we make attempts to change something that has probably held us for quite some time. It's a process. It takes a while. You don't just break habits. You know, that's one of the things that I've learned when I read atomic habits is that when you aspire to make changes, it's a process.
00:03:26
Speaker
Right? Almost the same way in a lot of things. When you grow a plant, it's a process. It goes through stages and in those stages, it develops into ultimately producing fruit, right? Producing something, not the plant, ultimately it's going to provide, right? I use fruit in the sense of planting because when we plant vegetables or we plant a tree, ultimately the goal is for you to experience productivity,
Themes Over Resolutions
00:04:04
Speaker
right? For the plant to produce something so that it can be productive and in that production you reap the benefits of it. And I think more or less
00:04:16
Speaker
When it comes to a desire for change and success, New Year's resolutions aren't the way. This is just my suggestion. I don't believe that they stick.
00:04:29
Speaker
What I believe does stick, however, are themes. Themes are much more broad, right? Themes allow you to tackle multiple things in the same category. So if I said I want to live a healthy life, you have multiple things to address. Maybe it's getting more sleep. Maybe it's eating right. Maybe it's exercising, right? So forth and so forth. So this podcast has been in existence for the last four years. And the things of the year were as followed. In 2022, episode 31, it was Philip H.R. In approach and communication. And of course, in 2024, episode 136, it was be a willing instrument for righteousness.
00:05:14
Speaker
In the last three years, each of these themes that were put together were designed to help you treat others as image barriers of
Respectful Interactions
00:05:24
Speaker
God. Yes, even those that are not believers, the goal was to ultimately treat others as imagers and barriers of the Lord, right? We're all image barriers of the Lord, right? These themes should have also helped you respond much more appropriately when you interact with people of the world that are believers and aren't believers. Okay, today, it will be no different. If you've been a listener since the genesis of this podcast, I thank you. If you had come to some part
00:05:59
Speaker
of the podcast in later years. I appreciate you all well.
Wisdom and Insight for Living
00:06:04
Speaker
Thank you. Thank you so much for tuning in. And I hope that what I shared with you moving forward and what I have shared with you will be a blessing. Of course, you are welcome to listen to past episodes because this is a podcast full of wisdom and insight that I believe that I received and that I've had fellowship with the Lord and other like-minded individuals to put something together to help ultimately help you think more critically and and much more intentionally when it comes to being a follower of Christ. And with that being said,
00:06:42
Speaker
I'm looking forward to sharing with you what the theme is for 2025 here on the Truth and the Matters podcast.
Reflection on Growth
00:06:48
Speaker
Now, as I reflected over the year in 2024, it has become a year full of surprises and yet so many new opportunities, challenges and moments that required me to overcome. It has been a year of me having to trust in the Lord and pivotal moments of my life, not knowing how things would turn out.
00:07:11
Speaker
I call that just keeping a faith. In 2024, I've had new relationships and new situations, right? The Lord has ultimately, in my opinion, has been good to me all the time, right? And all the time he's always been good. He's been right on time. He's been my friend, my parent, my protector, my lawyer, my counselor, my guide, my savior.
00:07:41
Speaker
He's been all things to all people all the time and I'm always reminded of that because he's not just a god for me, he's a god for the whole universe. Okay? God, you know, in so many ways,
00:07:57
Speaker
is a God full of surprises, a God that loves and that cares for you, a God that wants to see you be successful, right? And I can't wait in 2025 to see what else God does for me. And the most important is to hear about how else God has impacted other people's lives.
00:08:18
Speaker
One of the things I talk about here on the truth of the marriage podcast, especially when I have guests on is I can't wait to hear the testimony of other people to see what God is doing in their lives. Because it encourages me and motivates me, inspires me to see how God is making a difference across this nation for those who have decided to place their faith in him.
00:08:37
Speaker
And for that, I can always say amen. So of course, let's begin with prayer before I share with you the theme of the year, at least for the Truth of the Matters podcast, respective is one more thing I want to mention is that most churches have themes for the year.
Church Yearly Themes
00:08:52
Speaker
something to focus on, something that is going to be a vocal point for their ministry, right? They're going to be talking about within within the year, right? Whether it's texts, whether it's topics that they want to address. So be mindful of the fact that If you are attending a church, there's a thing for that church. And I hope that you hold dear to it. And of course here, the Truth and the Matters podcast has a thing. And these things are only designed to help you grow and fellowship with other believers. It's also a supportive thing to whatever church that you're attending to and what their focal point will be for their ministry.
00:09:33
Speaker
Okay. Amen. So with that being said, let's pray and let's begin. Oh God, in the name of Jesus, I thank you for being God. The one who loves, the one who cares, the one who provides, the one who saves, the one who is Alpha and Omega, beginning in the end, the creator of all things, the first and the last, and the one who's still to come. Nothing, I mean nothing ever a occurs to you. Oh God, I know that you see all that you hear all that you know all.
00:10:01
Speaker
I know that you're a God that's full of first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and plus chances. And therefore Lord, I thank you for giving me the air that I breathe. Thank you for allowing me to see 2025. I pray for those across this nation, those who have not. And I pray for those who have to appreciate the gift of life that you've given us.
00:10:28
Speaker
Lord, I ask that we continue to trust in you and believe in you dearly. That we recognize that you are an anchor for our lives. That Jesus Christ is the only way, truth, and life. That the only one that can come to the father is through him. And so Lord, I ask you these things, honesty and maturity. Knowing that you hear these things and when you hear these things, you appreciate these things from us.
Insights from Gospel of Luke
00:10:57
Speaker
appreciative of you Lord therefore I say this in Jesus name we pray amen so where to begin oh yes I know where so over the last month I have been in the gospel of Luke a few months ago I actually completed a whole breakdown of the gospel loop where we are currently now is the gospel of Matthew series. So if you've been listening to the podcast since the beginning, the first book that I ever broke down was first John. Then I moved from first John into the gospels and I broke down the gospel of Luke. Currently right now we are in the gospel of Matthew, but I'll, but the interesting thing is I haven't been back into the gospel of Matthew.
00:11:45
Speaker
I've been running Bible studies with seniors, with friends of mine, and we've been in the gospel loop for quite some time. And what I've realized is that when I fellowship with other believers and like-minded believers with a desire to learn and grow spiritually, there have been some new pieces of revelation that I've learned that God opened my eyes to see. And in the last month, it's because of these Bible studies,
00:12:14
Speaker
I was able to provide much more in depth analysis of the scriptures. In fact, the last two episodes that I did were influenced by these Bible studies, which just goes to show you when you have think you did a decent job and introduce a one of the gospels, there's still much more revelation waiting to be revealed and discussed. Amen.
00:12:42
Speaker
And that is what I enjoy most about the word of God. The Lord just keeps on open his word to me. And I'm sure it to many others, and it's mind blowing. It's shocking. And it's amazing. And I'm appreciative of it. So what has the Lord shown me in the last month? Well, in 2025, what's obvious that's going to take place is that changes are going to happen. Change in life is the only constant. Okay. That's a given.
00:13:11
Speaker
Now who needs to remain consistent throughout this process has to be the believer. That's the first thing that I recognized. And I'm going to explain that to you as I point out certain texts that highlight that. So let me explain.
Consistency in Faith
00:13:25
Speaker
Why does the scriptures say that the believer has to be consistent?
00:13:31
Speaker
Well, for one, we know that in the gospels, Jesus was portrayed not just as man, but as God, as servant, as King. And one of the things that I think is highlighted about Jesus is that he's a man that never sinned. He's a fulfiller of the law.
00:13:58
Speaker
And he's the embodiment, the exact representation of God's being. And in the book of Hebrews chapter 13, verse eight, it says Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Now, why am I mentioning this? Well, what does Paul say the believer is in second Corinthians chapter of five, verse 20, he says, we are ambassadors and or representatives for Christ, as if God were making his appeal through us.
00:14:27
Speaker
We implore you to, we implore you on the behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God. So if we are representatives and our ambassadors for Christ, that means we are honestly an extension of Christ. Let's dig deeper here.
00:14:48
Speaker
And the gospel of Luke chapter 10 verse 16, it says, whoever listens to you, listens to me. Whoever rejects you, rejects me. But whoever rejects me, rejects him who sent me.
Ambassadors for Christ
00:15:01
Speaker
Verse 16 speaks to the disciples of Jesus, right? These disciples of Jesus carry the message of the gospel, which is the good news. And therefore, they have something valuable to share, right? I believe that to be true.
00:15:16
Speaker
What did I just share? 2 Corinthians 5, verse 20, where Paul calls the believer in the book of Corinthians an ambassador and or representative of the kingdom of a God. So because you rep God, there needs to be a common understanding that everyone is going to either reject you or receive you. There will be those who do so, and those who don't. You have to be mindful that you have to remember that that when you go into ministry, they're going to be people that accept what you're sharing, and they're going to be people that reject what you're sharing, has everything to do with the word itself being powerful, sharpening any double-edged sword, penetrating the heart, right, bone and marrow.
00:15:57
Speaker
And verse 16 articulates, whoever listens to you, listens to me because you share what is true. And if what is true is recognizable, then it would be those who listen to you and believe what you're saying. The important thing is that the messenger might change, but the message won't. And therefore, whether it is you or I,
00:16:23
Speaker
If the message is true and we know it comes from a Christ, guess what? People are going to recognize it and they're going to listen to you because they recognize, appreciate, admire, and most importantly, believe that it's true. Because the message is true, whoever rejects you rejects me, right? The me in the past is Jesus.
00:16:46
Speaker
Now, whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me. To him in this passage is God. So why are we representatives and bastards of the Lord? Jesus said something very interesting in this prayer in the Gospel of John chapter 17. For context, we'll start at verse 15, but the most important thing is I want to go all the way through to verse 19. Now, I might be talking a little bit fast, so I want to kind of backtrack a little bit.
Rejection and Acceptance
00:17:14
Speaker
The reason why I spoke to you about Luke 10 16 is because I want you to recognize and appreciate what God sees of us, extensions of him, little Jesus is walking around, right? The light, the Holy Spirit that he placed inside us, which we will get to in a second.
00:17:37
Speaker
shows our affiliation with the Lord. And because we are affiliated with him, there's an understanding that rejection from him is also rejection from us or vice versa. If they reject us, be mindful that they rejected him. Almost as if, if you remember the conversation between Samuel and God and the people wanted a human leader, specifically a man, God told Samuel,
00:18:08
Speaker
that they did not reject you, but they rejected me, right? Because we understand what the prophets were as he was one puts it, right? They are the voice of God. And in many times in various ways, God spoke to his people through the prophets verse before Jesus Christ came along, but we know that Jesus Christ always existed. I guess we're just following the tread of the communication. Now,
00:18:38
Speaker
When we go to John 17 verses 15 to 19, it reads, I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. Very powerful. We'll get to that in a second. Verse 16. They do not belong to this world any more than I do.
00:18:57
Speaker
Make them holy by your truth. Teach them your word which is true. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world and I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so that they can be made holy by your truth.
00:19:15
Speaker
Verse 15, Jesus wants the believer to remain in the world. The reason why he wants the believer to remain in the world, we will address soon enough, but it's important and it's pivotal that we understand that us remaining in the world speaks more or less to the impact that God hopes that we should have as representatives and ambassadors of him.
Holy Spirit's Role
00:19:40
Speaker
Verse 16, they do not belong to this world any more than I do, right? It speaks to the fact that this world, right? When we go to the first John, right? The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, the pride of life. These things do not come from God, but from the world, right? This pinpoints exactly why the world needs Christ.
00:20:08
Speaker
When we get to verse 17, Jesus says, to make the believer holy by your truth, right? To be holy really is to be set apart. The only person who who actually has the ability to transform you is Jesus Christ. And what does he send to the believer to help him in that process? The Holy Spirit.
00:20:28
Speaker
Right. So again, just to revisit verse 17 says, make them holy by your truth. Teach them your word who is truth. Right. Jesus ultimately wants us to be transformed. And then being transformed, he understands that we can't do it no alone. We need assistance. We need your help. We need the power of the Holy Spirit.
00:20:55
Speaker
Verse 18, right? Verse 18, you know, Jesus speaks to his very own mission, which he then says we ought to do as well. Of course, again, as extensions of himself, right? Verse 18 says, just as you have sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. Right?
00:21:18
Speaker
Verse 19, and I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so that they can be made holy by your truth.
00:21:29
Speaker
verse 19 speaks to something that was said in the gospel of john chapter 16 verse 7 and i want to look at this in the amplified version specifically because i love the way it is translated here it says before i tell you the truth it is to your advantage that i go away for if i do not go away to help her comfort her advocate ancestor, counselor, strengthener, standby will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him the Holy Spirit to you to be in close fellowship with you. Amen. So what does the Holy Spirit does? He's our comforter.
00:22:14
Speaker
our advocate, our intercessor, our counselor, our strengthener, right? So when Jesus entered the world, it was clear that he was going to be a difference maker. He was going to be the perfect example that we can place our faith in.
00:22:32
Speaker
John 812 says, Jesus spoke to them saying, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. So that sets me up to answer the
Being the World's Light
00:22:46
Speaker
question. The reason Jesus wants to believe it to remain in the world is because we are extensions of Jesus Christ.
00:22:52
Speaker
The world has a chance at being redeemed because the believer has a relationship with Jesus Christ. This is why Jesus says in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 5 verses 13 through 16, you are the salt of the earth. But if the salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?
00:23:11
Speaker
It is no longer good for anything it's except to be thrown out, trampled under people's feet. You're the light of the world. The world right there is light of the world. A city set on the hill cannot be hidden, nor do people light a lamp and put it on their basket. But they stand and it gives light to all in the house. Verse 16, in the same way, let your light shine before others.
00:23:38
Speaker
so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. right Beautiful passage. What does that remind us of? What Jesus said he was in John 8, 12. I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
00:23:55
Speaker
What is that same light that was put inside us? The Holy Spirit that is in close proximity in relation to the Father and the Son? That is what we have. And that is what Jesus says we ought to do. That when we step into context, into places, we have to let our light shine so that others may glorify our Father in heaven. So who are we pointing them back to? Who are we extension of Jesus? We're pointing them right back to Jesus. This brings me to the verse that set everything off.
00:24:24
Speaker
You know, John said something that caught my eye that I found to be fascinating and yet a stage that was set to kind of group all these things together.
Understanding Jesus' Teachings
00:24:35
Speaker
It was found again in the Gospel of Luke. And when I say John, I don't mean John the writer, I mean John the Baptist. John the Baptist said something powerful. John the writer wrote it down.
00:24:47
Speaker
but it was John the Baptist that introduced it to me. And I can say he introduced it to me or I can say the Holy Spirit introduced it to him because then when Jesus comes on the scene, he elaborates on this idea. So John the Baptist was a prophet, an extension or a person that represents Elijah.
00:25:12
Speaker
He is ready to separate the shaft from the wheat with his renowned fork. Then he would clean up the thrusting areas, gathering the wheat into his barn, but burning the shaft would never ending fire. Johnny used many such warnings as he announced the good news to the people. Why do I like this passage?
00:25:39
Speaker
If you have time, I encourage you to look at the difference between wheat grains and chaff. What's so interesting is John begins with this illustration and then we find out that the first parable that Jesus shares in office and explanation in his ministry is the sower and the reaper. Why? Because I believe if there's one parable you need to understand and you need to get, you need to remember, you need to keep in mind, has to be this one.
00:26:06
Speaker
So now I don't plan to go through the whole parable. I just want to focus on a portion that actually reminds us of what John the Baptist is illustrating and of course, Luke chapter three verses 17 through 18. But for the sake of context, let me explain verses 27 through 29 in Matthew 13. The servants of the master's house were concerned. Why? Because they saw the master sow good seed in the field.
00:26:36
Speaker
What becomes noticeable is the issue of how there were weeds in the field. So how could the master sow good seed and there still be weeds in the field? This is a question that the servants had asked. So what do they say? Should we go gather the weeds? Right, the master says no. Because if you're going to uproot the weeds, you're gonna uproot the weed along with it.
00:27:04
Speaker
That brings us to Matthew 13.30. Let both grow together until the harvest. And at the harvest time, I will tell the reaper, gather the weeds first and bind them in the bundle to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.
00:27:26
Speaker
So why is Luke 3 17 through 18 and Matthew 13, 24 through 30 important to me? Because the field represents the world. The believer in the field is the wheat. The unbeliever in the field are the weeds and yet we grow together. This is the reason why I believe the theme of the year needs to be
00:27:58
Speaker
to remain emotional and mentally available.
Theme for 2025
00:28:03
Speaker
The theme of the year for 2025 is to remain emotionally and mentally available. Why do I say that? Because as wheat and as wheat in the field were growing together, which means there's a separation of us based upon our desire to place our faith in Jesus Christ.
00:28:27
Speaker
But that doesn't mean, that doesn't mean that it's over. No, there's time for change. There's time for influence. And I believe that Jesus wanted us to remain in the world is because over time through experience, through understanding, through growth, through development, people can change their mind.
00:28:56
Speaker
The reason why I spoke at the top about the importance of remaining consistent is because the only person that gets harmed or hurt in this equation is the believer that decides.
00:29:09
Speaker
to backslide the believer that decides to leave right in the gospel and the gospel first john speaks to they went out from us because they did not belong to us for if they belong to us they would remain with us but they're going to show they did not belong to us this speaks to the fact that believers have opportunity to switch sides so the longer
00:29:40
Speaker
The farmer leaves the wheat and the weeds in the field. The longest thing, the the longer things can change.
00:29:53
Speaker
God wants the impact of the believer to impact the unbeliever. He wants to give them opportunity. He wants to give them chances, right?
00:30:07
Speaker
That's what he ultimately wants to do for us. And I think by giving us that opportunity, I think we shouldn't take it for granted. And what I mean is as a believer, use every opportunity to evangelize, use every opportunity to let people pay attention to how you live your life. You know, there's a beautiful passage that I want to point to here.
00:30:33
Speaker
then I think we shouldn't overlook, but that we should appreciate. And in this passage, it takes us right here, 2 Peter chapter three, verses nine through 11. It says, the Lord is not slow in fulfilling His promise as some counsel is, but is patient towards you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar.
00:31:01
Speaker
and the heavenly bodies will be turned up and dissolved and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Now I want to stop at verse 10 because I want to address this passage a little later through verse 11 in the Ampervite version. Okay, but there's a reason why we're growing together. There's a reason why
00:31:31
Speaker
in the analogy of the story that's shared, right? That the master tells the servants not to pull them up together yet. There's also an extension of this story and another parable that you just tell tells that I'm actually going to share with you towards the end as well to hang in tight. So
00:32:02
Speaker
Why?
Political Climate and Believers
00:32:05
Speaker
Why is it important to remain emotionally and mentally available? Well, we have a familiar voice.
00:32:14
Speaker
in 2025 that's re-entering the White House. Some love him, some hate him. But as a believer, we need to remain calm and know that God is in control. You can't be a believer and lose sight of that. Which is why I want us to check out these three passages in scripture back to back to back that explains the importance of loving and not hating.
00:32:38
Speaker
So let's go to First John, chapter three, verses 12 through 14 ESV. And it says, do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death, right? So being born again should have changed you as a person, especially the way that you think. And as we among weeds, let's keep that in mind.
00:33:08
Speaker
We must act like we are born again. Right? Jesus wants us to act with a mindset that advertises and is the kingdom of God mindset. You know, interesting when you look at this version and verse 14, it says, we know that we have passed out of death into life, which is an interesting statement here because we know that Those who fear death are those who don't believe in Jesus Christ. We don't fear death because we know that outside of this life there's something better waiting for us that we will enter into.
00:33:52
Speaker
right? So we know that we have passed out of death into life. And I even means having life here on earth is having it abundantly in. And that even means having the freedom and the ability to live a life understanding the gift that was given to you. Also what the Holy Spirit provides. And we know that what the Holy Spirit provides is that he provides us a Something that was shared in Corinthians that I think is a powerful verse that speaks is that the Holy Spirit is a deposit of what's to come.
00:34:28
Speaker
Right. Let us not lose sight of that next portion of scripture, the gospel of John chapter 15 verses 18 through 20. And it says, if the world hates you know that it has hated me before I hated you. If you were, if you were of the world, the world will love you as its own, but because you are not of the world.
00:34:52
Speaker
but I have chosen you out of the world. Therefore, the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you. A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they also persecute you. If they kept my word, they would also keep yours.
00:35:15
Speaker
We are to act in the same, we are not to act in the same ways of the world. We don't fight fire with fire and so with and so as James puts it in his book. Instead, we show them something different. Patience, love, peace, right? We show them Jesus. What I love about this passage in verse 19, it says, if you were of the world, the world will love you as its own.
00:35:49
Speaker
But because you are not of the world, but I've chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." This speaks exactly to what I was mentioning in 1 John, about the pride of life, right? About the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh. These are things that the world has given.
00:36:12
Speaker
not from God. If you thrive in those things, if you live in those things, if you make those things a priority, of course the world loves you. It loves you because the opportunities are never endless.
00:36:25
Speaker
for you to thrive in your flesh. thelo The world appreciates you because you're advertising what is dishing out. You're embracing and celebrating and appreciating that type of behavior. And that's why the world loves you. It loves someone that is willing to advertise and share and mimic those types of behaviors.
00:36:51
Speaker
Why? Because the more it does, the more it convinces people and the less likely that people know the truth. People are persuaded by those types of actions and therefore they'll never realize the importance of the truth. That's why the world loves you. That's why the prince of this world appreciates you.
00:37:15
Speaker
The more we can get people to live in their flesh, to live in sin, the more they disobey God and the more they represent us themselves as anti-Christ of what Christ is sharing.
00:37:32
Speaker
That's why we ought to act not in the same ways of the world because we are transformed not just by the renewing of our mind, but our desires.
Desires Reflect Transformation
00:37:44
Speaker
that the Lord completely takes over and fastens it and directs it in the right ways. First John 2 verses 9 to 11, if anyone claims I am living in light but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in a light and does not cause others to stumble.
00:38:13
Speaker
But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.
00:38:26
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It is important that we hold on to our previous themes of the year. Whether in 2022, fill up your jar with scriptures so that you may know how to answer others. That your speech will always be seasoned with salt. Remember that the word of God is sharpening any double-edged sword. Remember that the word of God is something that will save you.
00:38:50
Speaker
right Luke 11, 28, blessing the highly favored of those who hear my words and continue to absorb it. Or in 2023, preference your approach in communication. I believe how a message is shared is very important. So therefore you need to know your audience. You need to know the right timing to share it, but most importantly, you need to know the way of approach is important.
00:39:13
Speaker
You can turn someone off by your aggression. You can turn someone one off by your righteousness, your self-righteousness. But what does Jesus say? Rather, what does Peter say? Always be prepared for to give a reason for the hope that you have, but do it gently.
00:39:31
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and respectfully not aggressively right this is the reason why in Luke 9 verses 52 to 54 55 Jesus rebukes the two disciples that want to call down fire from heaven as a result of those who reject the message that was being shared that was surrounded the kingdom of God right he said that the He said, if I'm not mistaken, Jesus said that the son of man did not come to take lives, but to save them. And therefore aggression, when people are given an option to choose to believe in God or not, is not the right approach to persuade people into the kingdom. Not by aggression, not by force, but by love.
00:40:24
Speaker
and by people recognizing the endpoints. This is the reason why Jesus talks about this also in the Gospel of Mark when he has his conversation with the rich young ruler. It said that he loved him, which means he allowed him to go away. He told him to give all his things that he had, all his riches away, and come and follow him, and yet he loved him and let the rich young man go. We don't know what the rich young man ended up doing, but what we do know is God gave him an option, an opportunity to see the value and the importance of what he was gaining by giving those things up and following Jesus. Right? And I can go on and on and on and on. But the most important thing that we get out of this, at least for that theme of the year, is that we appreciate how your approach and communication can change people. It really can.
00:41:21
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is another passage of scripture that I think that is worth mentioning in that context, because it speaks to the fact that the disciples were concerned that if we give everything up, what is there to gain, right? What can I gain?
Sacrifice for Faith
00:41:40
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So let me find this passage for you.
00:41:55
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So it was in the gospel of Matthew chapter 19. And look at what Jesus says in response to him.
00:42:08
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Starting at verse 27, then Peter said in reply, See, we had left everything and followed you. What then will we have? Jesus said to them, truly I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you have followed Me. Also, sit on the twelve thorns, judging the twelve tribes of Israel, and every everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or fathers or mothers or children or lands for my namesake will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life but many who are first will be last and the last will be first. So that sacrifice that was made
00:42:57
Speaker
It's the difference between what you choose and appreciate the value of it based on that value judgment or what you choose and undervalue and therefore miss out. And of course, in 2024, it was about your willingness to be used by God as his instrument for righteousness. Why is being, you know, why is our desire, why is God's desire for us to be willing, willing for instruments for righteousness? Because when it comes to us as believers, but we should not be viewed as hostages, but willing participants. And as a willing participants,
00:43:46
Speaker
our commitment, our sacrifice, the time that we set aside, right, the donations that we might put in, right, should be valued with a message that penetrates the heart of the individual that's willing to make the sacrifice. More importantly, I think When we volunteer, the volunteer mindset should be to benefit others at the expense of yourself. And therefore, you have to know within your own heart that what you're doing, you're doing it for the right reasons, not by persuasion, but by belief. And anything that you do should be done with strong beliefs. Why is being emotional and mentally available so important? Why is it the thing for the year? Well, people are looking for answers.
00:44:40
Speaker
they are looking for comfort. And as scripture puts it, the way you can win the respect of outsiders is by, for one, being consistent in what your anchor is, and that's Jesus Christ. Being empathetic and not sympathetic of people's issues, concerns, fears, and uncertainties, right?
00:45:05
Speaker
Remembering what the word tells us in 2nd Timothy chapter 1 verse 7, for God did not give us the spirit of fear, but of love and power and the sound mind of the translation say self-control. We need to be patient, right?
00:45:24
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I want to pick up the other verse that I left out when I read 2 Peter chapter 3 and I and I verse I left out verse 11 because it deserves a second look at it. But let me read verse 11 in the ESV and then I want to read it in the Epivite version. The ESV says, Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought to be in lives of holiness and godliness?
00:45:54
Speaker
Okay, verse 11 in the amplified version of the same text when we look at again, second Peter chapter three says, since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be in the meantime, in holy behavior that is in a pattern of daily life that sets you apart as believers, and in godliness, displaying profound reverence towards our awesome,
00:46:24
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God. This speaks to how us as believers wheat in the field should impact and help weeds to ultimately become wheat.
Parable of the Fig Tree
00:46:42
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So that when we all are plucked up together we don't have the wheat being bundled up and thrown into an everlasting fire. But instead we have wheat being bundled up for harvest. Now let's end with this parable that I found to be amazing. It sums up how good God is and why appreciating and remembering that part of being
00:47:18
Speaker
mentally and emotionally available speaks to the heart that we all to have. Like our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, when it comes to first and second and third and fourth chances, again, not wanting anyone to perish, but all to be saved. When we go to Luke chapter 13 verses six through nine, it reads, and he told this parable, a man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard.
00:47:45
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a vineyard and a vineyard and he came seeking fruit on it and found none and he said to the divine dresser look for three years now I've come seeking fruit on this fig tree and I find none cut it down why should it be used why should he use up the ground and he answered him sir
00:48:11
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let it leave it alone this year also until I dig around it and put on manure then if it should bear fruit next year well and good but if not cut it down if you understand that is he's looking at
00:48:39
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the plant, the tree, and recognizing that it's not producing fruit. And the idea, the idea here is to dig it up and get rid of it. Instead, this hope is still there. That if we pour manure onto it, if we add value and importance into it, it would then produce.
00:49:08
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And therefore the life of that particular tree is extended. God is all about giving us chances. And so as believers, we need to remain emotionally and mentally available for the person who wants to be saved.
00:49:26
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Because if in fact that person wants to be saved, they need to be pointed in the right direction. As a matter of fact, there's another passage of Scripture that just came to me in the book of Romans that talks about that. Let me find it for you. And we will end, of course, on devotional time, but this particular passage is I want to find because it's so important.
Salvation and Evangelism
00:50:08
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Okay, check this out, Romans 10.
00:50:14
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And this is amazing because Romans 10, 10 is usually the passage that most people love. So I wanna start there. I wanna start there and work our way to 14, 15. So Romans 10, 10 tells us, for the heart,
00:50:33
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For with the heart, one believes and is justified. And with the mouth, one confesses and is saved. So if you believe in your heart and you confess out of your mouth that Jesus is Lord, you are saved. Now pick this up. Catch this verse 11. Everyone who believes in him.
00:50:54
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For the scripture says, every everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek. For the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowed his riches on all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
00:51:13
Speaker
Verse 14 to 15, how then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him who have they not heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent as it is written? How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news.
00:51:37
Speaker
Amen. Amen. So with that being said, understand in this new year, be mentally ah available and emotionally available for those who have questions, for those who don't know, for those who are seeking answers and make sure that you're always prepared to give a reason for the hope that you have again, but do it gently and respectfully. That means make sure that you study yourself approved.
00:52:07
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And if you've been studying the scriptures since 2022, when I said, Phillip, your jar, God can use you as his instrument for righteousness, right? God can use you to bring the good news to someone else. Okay. And with that being said.
00:52:28
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I want to add this in here too.
Conclusion with a Prayer
00:52:31
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Let's finish with devotional time. Romans 1218 says, if possible, so far as it depends on you live peaceably with all this verse, although it may sound simple has its challenges, especially when you're dealing with people who are confrontational. Yes.
00:52:49
Speaker
I've been quoted saying at times confrontation is good, but the idea of it is it's supposed to lead you to a solution, not for the sake of arguing with no end game or goal. So here's a short prayer to close out for our first podcast in 2025. Father God in Jesus name, we thank you for another day for another year. I look forward to see what works.
00:53:13
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that you plan to do within me, but more importantly what you plan to do within others. I'm sure you will continue to surprise me in ways that always leave me sane.
00:53:26
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With that being said, I say this in Jesus name. We pray. Amen. And of course, until next time, the truth of the matter is podcast audience. Be careful, be vigilant and watchful as we depart from one another, but never from the presence of the Lord. Happy new year. And I'm looking forward to talking to you next time. Have a good one.