Facing Opposition - Experiencing Jesus

How often has anxiety or fear kept you from accepting a wonderful opportunity? Have you ever looked back on a situation with regret, wishing you'd responded with more courage? As Bible study writer Erica Wiggenhorn assures us in this episode, the good news is that that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can all live courageously unexplainable, and deeply fulfilling, lives.

(Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.)

Resource mentioned: An Unexplainable Life: Recovering the Wonder & Devotion of the Early Church

Connect with Erica Wiggenhorn on:

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Discussion/Reflective Questions:

1. What resonated with you most in this episode?
2. How much had you thought about the Holy Spirit's involvement in your life prior to this episode?
3. When has fear hindered you from accepting an opportunity? 
4. When have you responded to an opportunity with faith, and what was the result?
5. How might focusing on obediently stepping where God asks you to today help increase your peace as you wait for His guidance tomorrow?
6. Who is one person with whom you can build a prayer-accountability relationship?
7. What is one action step God might be asking you to take having listened to this episode?

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever said to yourself, "My life wasn't supposed to turn out like this"? Have you ever felt similar regarding a relationship or a career? What do we do when it feels as if our circumstances have shattered our dreams and we're not sure what lies ahead? How can we hold tight to faith when our fears tell us that our God's abandoned us on a never-ending painful road? In this episode, Carol McCracken talks with Sarah Frazer, author of "I Didn't Sign up for This" about a time when that was precisely how she felt, and how God met her in that painful place.

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Find Sarah Frazer at/on:

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Find Carol McCracken at/on:

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Discussion/reflective questions:

1. What resonated with you most in this episode?
2. Have you ever expected blessings or life to feel easy because of your past obedience?
3. When you go through challenging seasons, what do you most often tend to fear?
4. When has God used a difficult season to deepen your understanding of His heart or character?
5. When has God used a difficult season to deepen your faith?
6. What Scripture(s) do you reflect upon in times of discouragement or fear?
7. What is one action step God might be asking you to take having listened to this episode? 

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Christian musician, worship leader, songwriter, and painter Jon Reddick is the guest on this special episode from LifeAudio's "The Walk". What may seem like a random start to his story about his lawn lands home with a message that is always relevant. Our Father in heaven loves us so much that his light, beauty, and glory can literally cover over any of the “spots” we’ve allowed to develop.

"The Walk: Devotionals for Worshippers" invites listeners to travel along and learn how God uses the practice of worship to develop in all of us a deep faith with an overflow of joy.

Please follow "The Walk: Devotionals for Worshippers" on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for more inspiring conversations and Christian devotionals!

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever wondered, if the Holy Spirit lives within me, why do I feel so defeated or overwhelmed? If so, host Jennifer Slattery can relate. This is something she's spent much time contemplating and researching, and in her journey toward increased peace, God has revealed to her some helpful truths, which she longs to share with you. She's invited Bible teacher and international speaker Becky Harling back to help finish part two of the discussion they began last episode on learning to live more deeply in resurrection power. 

(Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.)

Find Becky Harling at:

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Find Jennifer Slattery:

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Subscribe to her free newsletter

Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group 

Discussion/reflective questions:

1. What resonated with you most in this episode?
2. Why is it important to maintain pure hearts focused on elevating Jesus?
3. Why might God "oppose" the proud?
4. Why might God "give grace" to the humble?
5. When have you witnessed someone attempting to use their God-given gifts for personal gain, and what was the result?
6. How might our increasing awareness of God's love help us to live increasingly filled.
7. What is one action step God might want you to take having listened to this episode?

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When hardship hits or we find ourselves facing challenging circumstances, we might feel as if we're ill-prepared for whatever lies ahead. Those struggling with depression or anxiety might worry they'll never experience increased joy and peace. But God doesn't want us to live as if we're defeated because, through Christ, we've been given resurrection power. 

(Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.)

Resource mentioned: Our Father: A Study of the Lord's Prayer (A 6-Week Bible Study)

Find Becky Harling at:

her website

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Facebook

Find Jennifer Slattery:

On her website

Instagram

Facebook

Amazon

Subscribe to her free newsletter

Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group 

Discussion/reflective questions:

1. What resonated with you most in this episode?
2. How might you describe living in resurrection power?
3. What most hinders you from living more consistently in that power?
4. How might recognizing the power you have in Christ help decrease your anxiety and increase your confidence when facing challenges.
5. What might it look like to "let the devil set the agenda" in a particular situation?
6. How might recognizing and reflecting upon the perfect plans of God, and His power to bring them to pass, increase your peace when you feel under attack? 
7. When has your will overshadowed or confused God's will in your life, and what was the result?
8. What is one action step God might want you to take having listened to this episode?

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The most daunting circumstances feel even darker when we feel as if we've lost hope. Conversely, when we hope through our connection with the God of hope and holding tight to His promises, our faith and strength grows and our faith to endure increases. 

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Find Rachel Wojo:

On her website

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Find Jennifer Slattery:

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Subscribe to her free newsletter

Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group 

Discussion/Reflective Questions:

1. What resonated with you most in this episode?
2. How would you define biblical hope?
3. What are some ways you've intentionally cultivated hope during challenging seasons?
4. How can hope help increase our resiliency and decrease our anxiety and fear?
5. How do you feel regarding "wrestling" with God?
6. What is one truth God has given you over the past year that can help increase your hope during painful circumstances?
7. What is one action step God might be asking you to take having listened to this episode?

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We all have false securities, modern idols, we turn to when life seems uncertain and we feel anxious and afraid. But while these idols might bring comfort in the moment, they only increase our anxiety and fear because because they hinder our ability to rely fully upon the only One, God, with the power to provide, protect, and care for us. (Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.)

Find Stephanie Rousselle:

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Find Jennifer Slattery:

On her website

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Subscribe to her free newsletter

Find Wholly Loved:

On their website

Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group 

Join the Private Wholly Loved Community Facebook Group

Discussion/Reflective Questions:

1. What resonated with you most in this episode?
2. As you were listening, did any false securities (idols) come to mind?
3. Who or what do you tend to turn to during waiting seasons?
4. What truths regarding God's power, character, and promises can provide a more secure foundation than those false securities and false "saviors"?
5. How can reflecting upon His heart for you help you find the courage to relinquish your false securities?
6. What thoughts or concerns came to mind when Stephanie discussed staying in the wilderness where one feel comfortable verses stepping into the Promised Land, where they feared giants lurked?
7. What is one action step God might be asking you to take having listened to this episode?

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If you experience depression, your world might, at times, feel so dark, it seems no amount of light, love, or logic can break through. And if you've ever heard bad advice, or misquoted Scripture from non-understanding friends, you might also be carrying a heavy burden of shame. But depression isn't sin, laziness, nor something one can simply pray away or "positive think" their way out of. That doesn't mean, however, that the depressed individual is without hope. God wants to bring each of us to a place of increased joy, peace, and freedom. In this episode, Wholly Loved's Teresa Baumbach and Kelly Campbell discuss what depression has looked like for them and the steps God led each of them to take in their recovery journey.

Find Wholly Loved (and Teresa and Kelly):

On their website

Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group 

Join the Private Wholly Loved Community Facebook Group

(Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions)

1. What resonated with you most in this episode?
2. Do you or someone you love suffer from depression? If so, how can you get help and/or provide support?
3. What are your lifelines or anchors you can hold tight to when you are struggling?
4. When you are feeling down, what are some verses from scripture that bring you comfort?
5. Do you have people in your life that you trust and with whom you can share your struggles? If not, what are some other alternatives for you (i.e. pastoral counselor, professional counselor, support group?)
6. Depression, anxiety, and suicide are at an all-time high in our society. How might we share our story of what Jesus has done for us in our lives to offer hope to a hurting world?
7. What is one action step God might be asking you to take having listened to this episode?

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

How might you respond if you sensed God asking you to leave a successful and fulfilling career or role to embrace something new, not knowing what that might look like or where He might take you? If you would find yourself wrestling with fear of failure, my conversation with singer/song writer Mack Brock will resonate with you. 

(Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions)

Find Mack Brock:

On his website

Spotify

Apple Music

YouTube

Instagram

Facebook

Find Jennifer Slattery:

On her website

Instagram

Facebook

Amazon

Subscribe to her free newsletter

Find Wholly Loved:

On their website

Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group 

Join the Private Wholly Loved Community Facebook Group

Discussion/Reflective Questions:

1. What resonated with you most in this episode?
2. When have you sensed God calling you to leave something fulfilling or in which you experienced success? What made that challenging?
3. When you feel fear of failure rising up, what other fears are tied up in that? (Ex: fear of financial loss, fear of losing someone's respect, etc.)
4. How can developing a more secure identity in Christ help decrease one's fear of failure?
5. How can deepening our sense of security in Christ, rather than our careers or skills, decrease one's fear of failure?
6. In this episode, Mack talked about how God led him to unexpected blessings through simple steps of obedience. When has God done something similar in your life?
7. What is one action step God might be asking you to take having listened to this episode?

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We all have a God-given need to belong. To experience connection and acceptance. To know that we are fully known–at our worst and best–and fully loved. And while this is true for each of us, past wounds and present inner lies can make it hard to fully believe and grasp Christ's unconditional, perfect, all-encompassing and never-ending love. In this episode, Stephanie Rousselle, host of the Gospel Spice podcast, shares how childhood experiences created a fear of not belonging and a distrust toward God. Combined, this made her feel alone and as if she needed to be her own savior. But God patiently, lovingly and gently pursued her and began a deep healing work. 

(Scroll down for discussion/reflective questions.)

Find Stephanie Rousselle:

On her website

Instagram

Facebook

Find Jennifer Slattery:

On her website

Instagram

Facebook

Amazon

Subscribe to her free newsletter

Find Wholly Loved:

On their website

Join the private Faith Over Fear Facebook Group 

Join the Private Wholly Loved Community Facebook Group

Discussion/Reflective Questions:

1. What resonated with you most in this episode?
2. How often or consistently do you feel as if you belong?
3. When do you most struggle to feel like you belong?
4. How has or might wounds you experienced in the past impact your ability for fully receive God's love and the resultant sense of belonging?
5. How has or does a fear of not belonging impact how you relate to others?
6. In this episode, Stephanie talked about how she asks God to help her trust Him and grow in faith. How often do you or have you done this?
7. How might seeking God's help in growing our faith or trust increase your healing?
8. What is one action step God might be asking you to take having listened to this episode?

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.