How can we apply God’s promises to our daily lives? Are God’s promises conditional? What does it mean to be a child of God? What are some key promises found in the bible? Are God’s promises for me? How can we be sure God will keep His promises? What‘s more important than getting a life-changing handle on what God has promised you specifically? Expect this podcast to help you know who you are...REALLY & to help you live fully believing God‘s promises to you...REALLY.
Episodes
Friday Mar 19, 2021
Friday Mar 19, 2021
Psalm 119 verse 24 in the NLT says this: Your laws please me; they give me wise advice. And that is really the way that I look at God’s Word. Honestly, nothing should please us more than our God, and part of that includes God’s word.
Psalm 128:1-2 (NLT) - How joyful are those who fear the LORD - all who follow His ways. You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!
We have the word all here and the word will and the last sentence ends with an exclamation point. Three small things that we see all the time when we read (even just when we text or scroll the instagram). But those three small things really sort of add up to make this into some big, big promises.
Are you lacking in joy right now?
Well, this psalm is just really frank, completely blunt, nothing hidden here - how joyful are those who fear the LORD. Lacking joy? Maybe it’s a good time to examine your heart for a healthy fear of the Lord.
And then this sentence from verse 1 of Psalm 128 goes on to say that all who follow His ways are really the ones who are fearing the Lord. And that makes complete sense, doesn’t it? I mean, if you aren’t ever in awe of Him, if you don’t ever gasp at His sovereignty combined with His love that took Jesus to the cross, that's some kinda love right there. It’s supernatural - it’s not of this world. His ways are higher than our ways.
Follow His ways - get that joy back, baby!
Verse 2 of Psalm 128 - “You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!”
I mentioned before it ends with an exclamation point. That means this is a declarative sentence.
This is here to make a point. Don’t miss the point that God is making. It’s part of His promise to you, so be sure to make note of it. Hint - pay attention in your daily Bible reading when you see an exclamation point.
Are you enjoying the fruit of your labor?
God intends for you to have joy as a direct result of your living daily following His ways and keeping your healthy fear and awe of the Lord in place and to enjoy the fruit of your labors.
Now fruit does not just mean money
Some things you do will have the biggest payout and also pay you nothing (like time spent in worship - a long walk with your spouse - making your favorite dessert and sharing it with your loved ones - raising your children - biggest payout and no paycheck, right?)
But wait there’s more! It goes on to say that you will be joyful (so hey God is really stressing the importance of our joyfulness - like, He wants us to know that He wants us to be joyful - and I don’t think it’s like now and then. Lots of joy lots of the time!) But the there’s more part is the promise here of prosperity. And that is the condition of being successful or thriving, especially economic well-being.
There is so much promise here for you and for me.
And remember He ends with that exclamation point! How joyful and prosperous you will be exclamation point - that, my friends, is a declarative sentence. He is declaring that if you will follow His ways and live in a state of holy fear and awe and reverence of your Lord God Almighty who sits enthroned in eternity and cannot cannot cannot be unseated - you do that, and guess what He’ll do for you? Fill your life with joyfulness. Allow you to enjoy the fruit of your labor. Bless you with another big ole dollop of joyfulness and just cuz He can He’ll add in prosperity. Success, my friend. You will thrive.
Now you get to do a bit of heart work. Don’t put this off - ideally just get after it right now.
Are you fearing Him? How is your joy factor? Are you enjoying the fruit of your labor? Would you say you are in a state of prosperity? Are you following His ways?
And if you aren’t sure what His ways are, exactly, I want to encourage you to open your Bible to the NT book of John, and start reading. He will begin to show you His ways. The Holy Spirit is so so good at this! Making the Word of God come alive to the people of God! And really dial in to chapters 14, 15, 16 and 17 of John. So many promises, so much hope, so much encouragement there.
Grab a copy of my devotional "The Power of God's Will" here - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QG4Q7XH
And grab your ticket to The Such A Time As This online summit here - https://theycallmeblessed.teachable.com/courses/for-such-a-time-as-this-summit?affcode=73637_pngouulo
See you back here next time for episode #58!
Wednesday Mar 03, 2021
Wednesday Mar 03, 2021
Below is the link for the prayer retreat group - hope to see you there!
~ Jan
The Power of God's Will - 40 Days of God's Promises book available on Amazon
If you would like to join the online prayer group on Facebook, here is the link (request to join and we'll get you added to the group right away!)
Friday Feb 26, 2021
Friday Feb 26, 2021
Been a busy week with an online summit (I spoke a total of 6 times - YIKES!) so the show notes are coming early next week!
~ Jan
The Power of God's Will - 40 Days of God's Promises book available on Amazon
If you would like to join the online prayer group on Facebook, here is the link (request to join and we'll get you added to the group right away!)
Friday Feb 19, 2021
Friday Feb 19, 2021
Today we are looking at a NT verse from the book of Matthew, chapter 19 and verse 26. I will quote the NLT first, and it says “ With God everything is possible.”
Huge promise here. Huge.
Two things to note right off the bat:
#1 - what’s the verb in this sentence? IS - That’s present tense, folks. So right now, RIGHT NOW, with God everything IS possible. IS. This is a present tense promise.
#2 - God is not a liar.
This is really important to remind ourselves of, like, all the time. Every day. And you and I need to say this out loud. God is not a liar. Hey, devil, guess what? Lemme just remind you of this one thing, satan… God is not a liar. Hey, that fear that is creeping in? Speak to that fear and tell it this absolute, immovable, solid like a mountain sized boulder truth: God is not a liar.
Okay, so let’s think about your life right now. Do you have a health issue? Do you have a financial issue? Do you have relationship issues? Do you have problems at work? Is your extended family in a mess or in duress? Does your life look totally unlike you and your spouse or your friends thought it was gonna look like right now?
Let me just read once more the words of Jesus found here in Matthew 19:26 - With God everything is possible.
If it’s your health, it’s possible with Him. Your job your career - possible with Him. Your relationships - possible with God.
But remember, this verse covers over every single thing.
Don’t let your ideas about life get in the way of living the life God has laid out before you. We do it all the time - and if we just keep doing it, what impossibility are we going to miss out on?
He brings dead things to life all the time but we may be missing that in our own lives because we have failed to remind ourselves that the God of the impossible is our God.
This verse is for your present tense life, my friend.
And God? He does not lie to us.
Life Skills Leadership Summit - Feb. 22nd - 28th, 2021
The Power of God's Will - 40 Days of God's Promises book available on Amazon
Friday Feb 12, 2021
Friday Feb 12, 2021
The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” (NLT)
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you (who are willing to learn) with My eye upon you. (Amplified)
NLT starts out with the words “The LORD says”. So that means I need to pay attention and to listen to what He is saying to me, to you, to His people. The LORD says - okay, so whenever I read that I need to make the decision to do more than just casually read, or skim read, but to opt to hear clearly just what it is that the Lord is about to say via His word.
Never forget that God’s Word is life changing. Never ever. And don’t ever stop expecting it to impact you in some way, shape or form every time you read it.
Do you want to know what you ought to be doing with your life? Ask and expect God to answer. If it says He will (will means WILL, does it not?) guide you along the best pathway for your life, then we can be certain that it actually means WILL. He WILL guide you along not just some random pathway, but along the BEST pathway for YOUR life.
He will advise you all along the pathway of your life. Can we pray that, maybe? Like this week, today even? Lord, advise me today. Guide me. Advise me. Watch over me, Lord. Instruct me. Teach me. Counsel me. Keep Your eye upon me, Lord.
He is going to - going to, not might, not consider it, but is going to instruct you in the way that you should go. So talk to Him about the stuff of your life - listen for what He will say to you - and then do exactly as He says.
Do you really want to even consider the thought of doing life without the loving, protective, watchful eye of the Lord upon you? I want Him keeping a very, very close eye on me every single moment, every single step of the way. And if part of getting what I want, ya know, is to be willing to learn from Him, well okay. That’s fine by me. I mean, I never get the short end of the stick with God, And neither do you my friend.
Life Skills Leadership Summit - Feb. 22nd - 28th, 2021
The Power of God's Will - 40 Days of God's Promises book available on Amazon
If you would like to join the online prayer group on Facebook, here is the link (request to join and we'll get you added to the group right away!)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/627249051525444
Monday Feb 08, 2021
Monday Feb 08, 2021
Psalm 42:11 (Amplified) - Why are you in despair, o my soul? Why have you become restless and disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him. The help of my countenance and my God.
Psalm 42:8 (Amplified) - Yet the LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song will be with me.
There is that powerful word WILL. I hope you are always on the lookout for that word. And that you believe it when you see it, whenever you read it in one of God’s promises. It’s so good to remind ourselves that whenever God says that He will do something - oh yes indeed Mrs McCready He will, He will absolutely do it. Our God gets things done.
I don’t know what your tomorrow will be - so I am sharing this with you for your right now and I really really want it to bless you, encourage you, pour out God’s favor upon you in the right now. Today. When you lean in to listen to what He will say to you - believe that He will command His lovingkindness in the daytime (like, depend on that! All day long! God is commanding His lovingkindness over you all day long.)And at night, lying down to go to sleep or read a book before you nod off, before you turn on the book light remind yourself that His song will be with you. You can ask Him to give you a dream that sparks hope. You can pray for restful sleep, and that you would sleep soundly all the way through the night and that you will wake up early enough to spend a good hunk of time with Him in the morning. And know that if God says He is singing over you all night long - well, He is close by. He is keeping an eye on you.
How do you go about talking to yourself throughout the day? Look you don’t spend time with anybody as much as you do with yourself. Who talks to you more than your own thoughts? So who has sway? What weighs most? What weighs most is what wins.
To alter something you need to altar it - put it in Jesus’ hands and then keep your hands open to receive what He wants you to have in place of that stuff you needed to give over to Him.
Ask yourself, why are you in despair? Why have you become restless? Why in the world are you disquieted? Seriously, ask yourself these questions. And you know what will happen? You are going to be like, “Yeah. I know who my God is. I know who my God says I am. I will not be in despair. I’m not gonna stay restless and unsettled and disquieted. No, I choose to quiet myself like a weaned child and rest in my good and loving God.”
Expectant. Looking up - chin up - expecting God to move at any moment now. Any second now!
Don’t let your narrative be negative. Fit the narrative to God’s Word. What the Bible says is true. So live like you believe that it is true. And make your life, your thoughts, fit that narrative. And you know what? That’s how you go in the right direction. That’s how you live an obedient and submitted life before your God and your King.
I'm speaking at the upcoming Life Skills Leadership Summit & the host is giving 5% of all that comes in to Unbound and I am donating 5% of anything I bring in from tickets sold via my link . But the host Kerry Beck is going to meet my 5% as well. So her 5% plus my 10% and hopefully the other speakers will opt to donate too, because it compounds and it will, it will make a difference. Think about that child, that girl, that young woman whose whole life can be changed. Yeah - buy a ticket. Click that link. Please. I ain’t to proud to beg on this one folks.
The link is right below this & I cannot thank you enough for your support of this ministry.
https://kerry-beck-school.teachable.com/p/life-skills-leadership-all-access?affcode=455173_tyliaait
See you at the summit & in the event's group!
~ Jan
Friday Jan 29, 2021
Friday Jan 29, 2021
More Show Notes Coming Soon!
If you would like to join the online prayer group on Facebook, here is the link (request to join and we'll get you added to the group right away!)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/627249051525444
Exciting news! My book "The Power of God's Will" is going to be featured in an upcoming curated faith-box from Avelyn Lane Home. Her goal is to bring love, encouragement and faith into people's homes via a box filled with items that support small businesses. I'm beyond honored to be part of this amazing biz/ministry!
Learn more at https://avelynlane.com/about/ and keep your eyes and ears peeled for info about how to get your own faith-box in the very near future!
The Power of God's Will - 40 Days of God's Promises book available on Amazon
Friday Jan 22, 2021
Friday Jan 22, 2021
Well, if you have listened to the podcast for a while, you have likely heard me mention Psalm 37. It’s just tremendous.
Keep your Bible open on a counter or tabletop to Psalm 37 and read a few verses each time you walk by
Psalm 37:3 & 4 New Living Translation -
Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.
Verses 7 & 8 -
Be still in the presence of the LORD and wait patiently for Him to act.
Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper - it only leads to harm.
The Holy Spirit desires to guide us, to direct us, to enable us to have a healthy manner of thinking. Listen, I want to remind you that where your thoughts go, there your emotions go. And if your thinking and emotions are going the same direction over and over again, that’s the direction your health is gonna go.
Your thinking matters so much. What you think on, what you believe, in many ways will dictate how you live.
Rest in Him. Trust His good promises to you. Be still. Be patient.
You are to live your life, not to work your life. I think you know what I’m trying to say here. Are you living your life or working your life? Are you living or controlling and doing constant damage control? God does not need you to run interference for Him. He’s got it. What is it that you need to apply that to today? Whatever it might be, God’s got it.
Exciting news! My book "The Power of God's Will" is going to be featured in an upcoming curated faith-box from Avelyn Lane Home. Her goal is to bring love, encouragement and faith into people's homes via a box filled with items that support small businesses. I'm beyond honored to be part of this amazing biz/ministry!
Learn more at https://avelynlane.com/about/ and keep your eyes and ears peeled for info about how to get your own faith-box in the very near future!
The Power of God's Will - 40 Days of God's Promises book available on Amazon
If you would like to join the online prayer group on Facebook, here is the link (request to join and we'll get you added to the group right away!)
Friday Jan 15, 2021
Friday Jan 15, 2021
Part 2 of our look at Psalm 111.
And, no idea why, but the audio is just flat weird for this episode... as I was recording, it was super duper loud & when I spliced the intro with this episode, it was super duper quiet. I'll do some research and see what I can find out! But you may need to adjust your volume after the intro :)
Last time, on episode #48, we were looking at some verses from Psalm 111.
It was a reminder that God is a covenant making and a covenant keeping God. A covenant is very binding - God has used that term in His Word to reveal to us that He is serious about keeping His promises to His people.
We, the children of the Most High God, should be serious about believing the promises of God. As in, right now. Be careful not to nod your head and think,’Yeah! Yeah, that’s right!’ but then go on with your day and not take a minute to make sure you actually are believing God’s promises right now, today.
Psalm 111:7-10 (Amplified)
The works of His hands are truth and (absolute) justice; all His precepts are sure (established, reliable, trustworthy).
They are upheld forever and ever; they are done in (absolute) truth and uprightness.
He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; Holy and awesome is His name - (inspiring reverence and godly fear).
The (reverent) fear of the LORD is the beginning (the prerequisite, the absolute essential, the alphabet) of wisdom; a good understanding and a teachable heart are possessed by all those who do the will of the LORD; His praise endures forever.
The hope that comes when we live knowing for certain that every single thing God does is only and totally done in truth and righteousness has the ability to change the landscape of our lives. Let these verses change your life today. After all, if the Word of God isn’t life-changing, then….well, what is it? If it does not change our lives, why do we read it, study it, pray God’s Word and memorize it?
How can we know when we’re seeing God working in this world? Verse 7 says that the works of His hands are truth and absolute justice. Where you see truth prevailing, God’s at work. Harder right now to find the truth than it’s maybe ever been since say 1776. It’s hard! But God is just, and that’s key to remember. Do you see justice coming about? That’s the hand of God. We can expect to keep on seeing things coming to light that have been hidden.
All of His precepts are sure, established, reliable, trustworthy. The definition of precept is this: a guiding principle or rule / a direction or order issued by an authority.
So every guiding principle, every rule, every bit of direction God gives us is sure, is established, is reliable and is trustworthy. Can you sense that this is for your good? He is not lying down on the job, folks, but is dialed in, completely attuned to your situation and to mine and He will never lead you astray. Never.
A teachable heart are possessed by all who do the will of the Lord.
Does that describe the state, the condition, of your heart today?
If not, will you take a few moments and talk to God about that state of your heart? Ask Him to keep your heart tender toward Him, and to bless you with a teachable attitude for all the remainder of the days of your life. It’s so important to avoid a hard heart. It’s so important to remain teachable.
f you really want to know God’s will, then you also really need to desire to do God’s will. And to do the will of the Lord, Psalm 111 tells us that we need to possess a teachable heart.
God’s got things He wants to do in your life and things He wants to do through your life. Get on board with those things by softening your heart, believe that His every guiding rule and direction is trustworthy, that nothing slips past Him and His concern for you cannot be matched by anyone else’s concern, ever - keep your eyes open to see His justice at work in this world, pray for truth to prevail and hidden things to come to light - why pray for that? Because it honors God, that’s why.
And starting right now, today, expect that God’s Word will be life-changing
And never, ever forget His promises to you will all be kept, every single one.
The Power of God's Will - 40 Days of God's Promises book available on Amazon
If you would like to join the online prayer group on Facebook, here is the link (request to join and we'll get you added to the group right away!)
Friday Jan 08, 2021
Friday Jan 08, 2021
Check out this devotional about God's promises (available on Amazon)
The Power of God's Will - 40 Days of God's Promises book available on Amazon
Psalm 111:2-6
Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all those who delight in Him.
He has made His wonderful acts to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful and full of loving compassion.
He has given food to those who fear Him (with awe-inspired reverence); He will remember His covenant forever.
He has declared and made know to His people the power of His works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
Splendid and majestic is His work. Okay, so here we are faced with the hard truth about everything God does - His works are splendid (think on that for a second - splendid - what does that word bring to mind?)
He wants us to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that His works are splendid - and majestic - and He has works to do in our lives, promises to keep to us, that will be splendid and majestic. Part of not missing out on those amazing moments includes believing Him for those moments before they actually happen and also reminding ourselves (and remind other people of this too) that God’s work in our life is splendid and majestic.
The definition of righteousness is: the quality of being morally right - free from guilt - excellent - virtuous - it really does mean to be right. God is always, always right. Period. Not comma, but period. He is always morally right. He never feels guilt over what He does or how He goes about fulfilling His perfect will because He is always morally right, and so cannot do the wrong thin.
His works are always excellent and virtuous. That is how He is working in your life. That is your promise from Psalm 111. Count on it!
God is ever mindful of His covenant.
He has made promises to you, and the way God makes a promise is to make a covenant. Like a legal agreement, in modern terms. It’s solemn and it’s binding. Kind of like a compact (anybody remember learning about the Mayflower Compact? They weren’t getting off of that itty bitty 25 foot wide, 106 foot long boat until they had all agreed to keep the compact. That’s what God is saying. You should know that’s how He views His words to you, His promises to you. They mean so much to Him, and He really wants you to know that the reason His promises mean so much to Him is because YOU mean so much to Him.
The Power of God's Will - 40 Days of God's Promises book available on Amazon
If you would like to join the online prayer group on Facebook, here is the link (request to join and we'll get you added to the group right away!)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/627249051525444