5minutes of courage with Maggi Arndt

Season 2 Episode 80There are certain men (and women) who are going to teach lies and present them as truth. We must keep our eyes open and be ready to arm ourselves with truth. Jude warns us that we may be mocked for our faith, but to stand firm. 

Season 2 Episode 79Certain men (or women) are going to try and lead you astray. Why? The enemy- Satan- is alive and well. He will convince you that it's all about you. Do what you want, Do what feels good. Choose your own truth. Jude warns us against this behavior.

Season 2 Episode 78The other brother of Jesus. And he's here with a powerful message- one that's hard to deliver, and possibly harder still to hear. Beware- there are false teachers who have wormed their way into our churches. 

Season 2 Episode 77We did it! James concludes his letter reminding his readers of the power of prayer. There is power in the name of Jesus and our prayers are a direct line to the Almighty. Pray for yourself, pray for others. Pray to stop the rain , and then start it again (see Elijah). Never stop praying.

Season 2 Episode 76A lesson in patience and endurance or a lesson in farming? Maybe both. James uses the analogy of farming and growing crops to believers waiting for the return of Jesus. There's not a lot we can do to speed things up. We must wait, not complaining. Everyone's got problems. Everyone suffers.  How you deal with it, in the waiting, is up to you.

Season 2 Episode 75What makes you rich? Is it all monetary? And if you are rich, what are your odds of getting into the kingdom of heaven? Does God actually dislike rich people? 

Season 2 Episode 74It's very easy to speak evil over others, while assuming the rules don't apply to you. Only God can be the judge of others. Not you. Nothing is certain in life. It would be a mistake to make plans for your life without first asking God's will. 

Season 2 Episode 73Submit. Submit? Seriously?? But I'VE got this. I can do this. Don't submit to anything of this world. Submit ONLY to God. Only by doing so can you humble yourselves for the Lord. In return He will lavish you with His grace.

Season 2 Episode 72An enemy of God? Whoa! That seems extreme. But I love so much about the world. James is making a distinction between loving things that are temporary, and loving God first and foremost. 

Season 2 Episode 71Have you ever met a "one upper"? They always do things better; they're smarter, funnier, just all around more awesome than you. How do you feel about them? Probably not too good. What about you? Are you jealous of people who have more than you? Do you have bitter feelings in your heart? James would tell you to call upon the peace and wisdom of God. Those negative feelings aren't from God. We can do better.

Season 2 Episode 70No one can tame the tongue. Even if you have the will power to cut off your own leg (to save your life) you may still have trouble filtering the words that come out of your mouth. 

Season 2 Episode 69Have you ever taken a spiritual gift finder? Do you know where best to use your gifts? If you're curious, check out www.hosannalc.org and take the survey linked. I found it I'm exactly where I should be- teaching, preaching and ministry. However, know that God holds teachers of His word to a higher standard. Be careful what you're putting out there.

Season 2 Episode 68Faith without works is dead, but good works DO NOT affect your salvation. We are saved by grace alone. Period. There is literally nothing you can do or not do to to EARN your eternal salvation. Jesus paid it all. ALL. Rest in the grace knowing that your sins are forgiven. Hallelujah!

Season 2 Episode 76A lesson in patience and endurance or a lesson in farming? Maybe both. James uses the analogy of farming and growing crops to believers waiting for the return of Jesus. There's not a lot we can do to speed things up. We must wait, not complaining. Everyone's got problems. Everyone suffers.  How you deal with it, in the waiting, is up to you.

Season 2 Episode 67Follow the Royal Law. It's Royal, because it came from the King- Jesus. Loving the rich man is great, but you don't get to choose not to love the poor man too. The Royal Law states that we are to love everyone. No picking and choosing. God isn't your personal consultant. He is LORD.

Season 2 Episode 66Partiality and discrimination even in the family of God. Ever tried to make yourself look better than you actually are? Do you gravitate toward those who can do something for you? James warns against that. That is NEVER going to be what Jesus calls us to do.* Oops- I misspoke. There's no book of Solomon in the Old Testament. I meant Samuel

Season 2 Episode 65Talk less. Smile more. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and definitely be slow to get angry. The "religious" are judged for their actions and reactions. If you talk the talk but don't walk the walk, you are a hypocrite. 

Season 2 Episode 64When you have trouble, and you WILL- know that your trials weren't given to you by God. But, trials can present an opportunity for faith refinement and joy. Joy? Yep, good can come from the things that try us. And when it's too much for us, we are to reach out to God.

Season 2  Episode 63Today we discuss who James is, and who he isn't.

Season 2 Episode 62I hadn't seen my mom or dad in 15 months. It's been a LONG year for everyone. Here's my dad's story from this past year, and how his faith kept him grounded.

Season 2 Episode 61We are invited to have breakfast on the beach with Jesus- forever. We have been given the gift of salvation. It's a free gift, but it will cost you everything. Are you willing to follow Jesus?Side note: JESUS is perfect- Peter was not. I misspoke....

Season 2 Episode 60Come and have some breakfast! Jesus didn't need the fish that the apostles caught to feed them breakfast. He already had it covered. Jesus needs NOTHING from us. All we need to do is approach Him with open hands. He has already paid it all.

Season 2 Episode 59When you don't know what to do, you go back to what you've done. Peter was a fisherman, so he went back to his boat. 6 other disciples went with him. When all of a sudden,  Jesus is standing on the shore.

Season 2 Episode 58The door is shut and locked. The disciples are afraid and hiding, and Jesus appears! "Peace be with you." Jesus endows them with the gift of the Holy Spirit. But one is missing- Thomas.  8 full days later Thomas finally gets his own encounter with the resurrected Jesus.  But "Blessed aware those who believe without seeing." 

Season 2 Episode 57Mary Magdalene was beside herself. Her Lord was missing. Jesus greets her by name. He chooses Mary Magdalene to be the very first witness to His resurrection. In a time when women couldn't be trusted in a court of law, Jesus chooses her. Now go and tell my brothers.

Season 2 episode 56He is not here! The tomb is empty! Mary Magdalene was the first to make the discovery. John and Peter were next. The linen cloths were still there, but no Jesus. 

Season 2 Episode 55Special Edition Friday. A chat with courageous friend, Libby.

Season 2 Episode 54I thirst. Jesus was given sour wine to clear His throat. He had something to say. "It is finished" isn't Jesus giving up. It's a victory cry! The price has been paid. Jesus was taken down off the cross by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. They were very wealthy, closeted followers of Jesus and wanted to show their loyalty to the slain Son of God.

Season 2 Episode 53Jesus carries his own cross to the place of the Skull. Crucifixion might just be the most gruesome way one can die. It was reserved for the lowest of the low. Our Savior willingly submitted himself to this indignity, for our sins.

Season 2 Episode 52Old Testament prophecy fulfilled. Jesus is scourged, stripped, slapped, spat upon, and humiliated. Pilate wanted to let Jesus go. He knew executing Him was wrong. However, Pilate wasn't strong enough to stand up to the crowd. It was easier to deny what he knew to be true. Jesus actually IS the son of God.

Season 2 Episode 51Meet one of the voices from our podcast intro- Abby. She's not actually my daughter, but she's a favorite bonus kid. Join me for my conversation with Abby on what has brought her courageous this year.

Season 2 Episode 50Jesus stands before Pontius Pilate. Honestly, Pilate isn't quite sure what to do with Him. "Are you the King of the Jews?" Who really IS Jesus? Is He a King? Is He YOUR King?

Season 2 Episode 49Jesus is taken to Annas. Peter denies Jesus more and more aggressively. Then, just as predicted, the rooster crows.

Season 2 Episode 48After stepping over the Kidron Brook, Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane. It is there that Judas brings a contingent of Roman soldiers to arrest Him. No need. Jesus hands Himself over willingly. Peter tries to come to the rescue by cutting off Malchus' ear.

Season 2 Episode47Jesus' parting words to His disciples. Jesus prayers for Himself, His disciples and for the entire world. We must not allow anyone or anything to divide us.

Season 2 Episode 46I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you. Jesus explains the gift of the Holy Spirit a few more ways. There will be a new way to pray. You WILL face troubles, but don't let it destroy your faith. Trust me, you life will be better off with the gift of the Comforter.

Season 2 Episode 45Being a Christ follower is tough. The world hated Jesus. Following Him carries with it the threat of hatred for us. But- the paraklete.

Season 2 Episode 44There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. Even my crabby neighbor? Who exactly does this apply to?

Season 2 Episode 43I am the vine, you are the branches. Some things about our lives are like dead wood. They are decayed and are incapable of producing any good fruit. Our job is to identify what that is, and prune it out.

Season 2 Episode 42Jesus is leaving us with a gift; the comforter, the advocate, the helper, the Holy Spirit.  But as with all gifts, you don't have to accept it. The world will not want nor accept this gift. Will you?

Season 2 Episode 41Anyone who has seen Jesus has seen the Father. Jesus promises His disciples that they will do great things. In fact, they can ask for anything in His name, and He will do it. And because they/we love Him, keep His commandments.

Season 2 Episode 40TRUTH BOMB. Spoiler- Jesus is the way; Jesus is the truth; Jesus is the life. If you believe this and follow Jesus, there is no other option. And Jesus has gone ahead to prepare a place for you.

Season 2 Episode 39Glorified, glorified, glorified, glorify, glorify- that's how Jesus describes the cross. Not humiliation. Not pain. NOT defeat. And He leave the disciples with a new command: love one another. Oh and Peter, you're not as loyal of a friend as you think.

Season 2 Episode 38After eating bread with Jesus, Judas turns against Him. Big betrayal coming. John self identifies as the beloved. Peter misses the whole thing.

Season 2 Episode 37Jesus' time has come. His earthly ministry is over. Yet, He takes the time to share a meal and a beautiful act of servitude and love. He washes His disciples' feet.

Season 2 Episode 36Isaiah 6 foretells that Jesus will be denied by His own people. Jesus didn't come to the world to condemn the world. He came to save. This is His last teaching to the public before He is arrested and tried.

Season 2 Episode 35Hosanna, hosanna! The King is here to save us! Wave your palm branches! 

Season 2 Episode 34Even though Jesus knows He's staring down the roughest week of His life, He puts on His smile and goes to dinner at Simon the leper's house. Martha brings out her finest china. Mary anoints Jesus' feet with the finest oil. Judas has to make it awkward. Have a Judas in your life? I think we all might.

Season 2 Episode 33They saw it with their own eyes, and yet they aren't willing to embrace Jesus as Messiah. There were two camps who saw Lazarus raised from the dead; the ones who saw and believed and the ones who saw and feared. At this point, the pharisees aren't necessarily denying that Jesus is the Son of God, but they fear what Rome may do if they get wind of this enormous news. So, they plot to kill Him. Get rid of the evidence. 

Season 2  Episode 32Jesus is too late. Or is He? Lazarus has been dead for 4 days. Martha said he stinketh. Mary weeps and wails and tells Jesus 'if only He had been here...'  Jesus sees their grief. He shares their pain. And then- He commands Lazarus to come out of that grave!

Season 2 Episode 31One of Jesus' best friends, Lazarus, gets sick and dies. Lazarus' sisters, Mary and Martha send word to the Lord to come quickly, but He tarries for another 2 days. Why? Does He not care, or is there a much more important reason?