Living With Less Podcast

Scriptures Referenced Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:14-16 The Spirit of God MovingIn the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Romans 8:26But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

As always this space has been full of the truth and grace that God has continued to pour out over Chelsey's life and today she shares that she will be taking a pause from the Living With Less Podcast in this season. This choice wasn't made lightly but with much prayer and the prayer of a few trusted mentors this is exactly where the Lord is leading, and there is undeniable peace in this decision. Chelsey and her husband will be welcoming their second child at the end of this year, through this the Lord has made it very clear that it's time to press pause in this space while focusing on what He has entrusted her within their home.You can always connect with Chelsey on IG - @livingwithlesspodcast and her website - www.chelseydematteis.com! Her devotional: More of Him, Less of Me: Living A Christ Centered Life in a Me Centered World, will be launching October 5th!! **A note from Chelsey**From the bottom of my heart I cannot thank you all enough for being a part of this special gift the Lord has given me. Getting to connect with so many of you and to know the Lord has entrusted your hearts with me means more than words can describe. This pause is out of obedience because that is what is most important, pleasing God FIRST will always bring peace. Today, I pray you leave here knowing you are fully known and loved by God Almighty. May He increase in your heart as you deny the flesh and take up your cross. Hugs, Chelsey

This week Chelsey is re-airing a fan favorite episode after having such great feedback from "Choosing Boldness". We must know how to share the truth in order to be bold for Christ and His Kingdom! Two weeks from today, Chelsey will be sitting down with Alysha Miller to dig deeper into ways we can be bold for Christ where He has us: this means in our homes, community, local government, and globally! Today Chelsey unpacks 2 Timothy 2:1-13 and digs into what we are called to do as we share the truth that sets us free.  2 Timothy 2:1-132 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men,who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself. James 1:5-6 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. Sharing The Truth:Teach others the truth we've been entrusted with.Share in suffering.Do not get caught up in fleshly issues.Ask for understanding.Know the word is not bound but living and active.Endure all things for the sake of others coming to know Him.

This week Chelsey sits down to dive deeper into the pivotal place Christians are finding themselves in today. Will we choose boldness in Christ or submission and silence in a godless society? Looking to Matthew 5 and Acts 4 we see what we are called to and what boldness in Christ looks like in action.  Matthew 5:13-1613 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Acts 4:1-10 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. 5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. There will always be a cost in this world when being bold for Christ. We must look at the ultimate cost, Christ's life in place of our sin and us being made right to God the Father through His bloodshed on the cross. 

This week we wrap up the Month of Mission series with Michelle Myers sharing all about the ministry: She Works His Way. This conversation will leave you feeling encouraged to be a doer of the Word, to make disciples as you go, and to find accountably within the body of Christ!  Connect with Michelle and SWHW:Michelle IG : https://www.instagram.com/michellelmyers/?hl=enSWHW IG: https://www.instagram.com/sheworkshisway/?hl=enSWHW Website: https://sheworkshisway.com Free Resources:https://sheworkshisway.com/resources/

This week I got to sit down with Yohonna Smith who began The Girls Talking Life Podcast and now launched the Gather Project to help you Plan, Prep, and Gather your girlfriends! Connect with Yohonna!:Website: https://girlstalkinglife.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlstalkinglife/Podcast: https://girlstalkinglife.com/podcast/Sign up for the Gathering Project here!:https://girlstalkinglife.com/thegatheringproject/

This week Chelsey sat down with her friend, Tabitha Deller. A seasoned wife, mom of 4 boys, and steadfast follower of Christ. She shares the duty of being a Godly mother and also how we are called to be spiritual moms to those God has entrusted to us!At the end of this week's episode, you'll hear all about the Mother's Day Giveaway and how to enter!! 1) Tell us about you, your family, and your ministry!I loves words — written or spoken. I am passionate about God’s Word and the life changing truths found in it. I love reading it, writing about it, and challenging others to do the same.I have had opportunities to do just that on several occasions through writing Bible Studies of my own and teaching them both in person and online, as well as through speaking engagements at events and retreats . Anytime I can write or talk about God's Word and His great love for us is such a blessing, and I always learn and glean far more than I teach or give.My highest calling is to know Him and make Him known. My heart’s desire is to do that everyday, first in my home, and then wherever He calls me to “go.” I want my words to go where even I can’t, and I want the way I live my life to always point others to His Word and the way He lived and died and rose again to bring everlasting and abundant life to all who believe and receive.I am a southern girl from North Carolina but have lived half my life in Pennsylvania. It was during my college years that my life was radically changed by my discovery of an ongoing, daily walk with Jesus through the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. It was through the ministry of Campus Crusade that I met my husband of nearly 20 years, Steve, during the summer of ’96. We were both on a summer project in Branson, MO that proved to be the impetus for passionately pursuing ministry opportunities throughout our marriage.We have four sons, Joshua (about to be 20 (was born the day after Mother’s Day)), Caleb (18), Nathan (16), and Isaac (14). We are in a mixture of educational stages — 2 in college, one in high school, and one in Jr. High. We’ve homeschooled, public schooled, dually enrolled, etc...I have always had a desire to teach and share God’s love with others. My passion for writing surfaced when I was as a mother of small children and would use writing as a way of praying, processing, and preparing myself for the future. When I'm not writing, teaching, or speaking, I can be found in the stands at one of my boys’ volleyball or baseball games cheering them on. I love cheering people on and am a natural encourager in every sphere of influence God has provided.I loves to travel and experience new things but am also a self professed creature of habit. I love routine but welcomes interruptions as I have learned those interruptions are oftentimes God’s divine interjections that lead to ministry opportunities and kingdom building.If you spend any time with me, you will understand very quickly just how much I love God, His Word, and His people. The deep abiding joy that comes from that love oozes out of me in conversation, and I welcome opportunities to share God’s love with others, in both word and deed. He has truly changed my life, and I seek to spend my life changing others’ lives every chance I get.Mother’s Day Interview Living with Less Podcast2) I’ve been so excited to sit down with you for this Mother’s Day episode to not only talk about being a physical mother of 4 boys but also as a spiritual mother for those entrusted to you. I want to first unpack the Biblical call of being a mother and how we are to called to steward well those God has given us. Can you share some scripture with us and talk through the role of being called Mom.Well, I know the Proverbs 31 Woman sometimes gets a bad rap, but I truly feel like she’s an awesome example to glean wisdom from. Things we are trying to “pass down to” or “teach” our children are more caught than taught. We must model them. A closer look at P31:NIVEpilogue: The Wife of Noble Character10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.NLTA Wife of Noble Character10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.11 Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.13 She finds wool and flax and busily spins it.14 She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar.15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. 16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.17 She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.19 Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.20 She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.21 She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm[c] clothes.22 She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.23 Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders.Mother’s Day Interview Living with Less Podcast24 She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.26 When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.27 She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.28 Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. 31 Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.ESVThe Woman Who Fears the Lord10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.13 She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.14 She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.15 She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. 16 She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.17 She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.20 She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.22 She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.26 She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.27 She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:29 “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.Initial thoughts:We can feel like we have to be WONDERWOMAN OR SOME SUPER MOM after reading this passage...THESE HAVE TO BE FIRST DONE WITHIN THE HOME...YOUR PRIMARY PLATFORM, MISSION FIELD, BEFORE WE CAN BE OF EFFECTIVE SERVICE ELSEWHERE...A P31 Woman is:1. She is TRUSTWORTHY and CONFIDENT (GODFIDENT). (31:11)2. She is DILIGENT. (PRODUCTIVE not just BUSY) (13:13,15)3. She is GENEROUS. (31:20)4. She is SHREWD/PRUDENT. (PRACTICAL CLEVERNESS) (sensible, wise, on top of it) (31:21-22) 5. She is CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT SHE SAYS. (Offers words of wisdom to others...teaches) (31:26)3) You and I are on the same wave length on all levels. I think we have to address what we’re watching take place culturally in society. Culture wants to strip away the true meaning and value of women being mothers. For all those listening today, how would you encourage them with TRUTH to stand firm against this false, godless narrative in society?Be in the WORD, before you step foot in the WORLD. Learn and grow from HIS TRUTH, so you can recognize and reject the world’s lies. Surround yourself with LIKEMINDED women, mentors, teachers, prayer warriors. KNOW THE WORD, and wield your SWORD. It does no good to keep it in the sheath.4) As a mom of 4 boys you’ve seen a lot. I’d love to know what have the most important things the Lord has taught you through your journey as a mom?Be in the moment. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Always take time to listen. Laundry, dishes, and all other mom duties can wait. Prioritize them. They are your primary mission field.Shoveling the walk before it stops snowing is like cleaning the house before they stop growing.5) Being a mom to Cam has changed my world in the most incredible way. God has used it to sanctify me and glorify Himself. Through this though, I’ve been blessed to have several strong Christian women (mentors) come alongside me as motherhood has unfolded. I’d love to hear your heart on Biblical mentorship and how important it is!Titus 2:3-5 ~ Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.These three verses say it all...again, more caught than taught. Model it. Spend time cross generationally. You should always be learning from someone older and pouring in to someone younger. Watch, learn, ask questions, pray together, GROW in your walk with the Lord and in your motherhood.6) What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received through your years of being a mother?Don’t stress over the mess.Shoveling the walk before it stops snowing is like cleaning the house before they stop growing. If you want to see me and my family, stop by anytime, if you want to see my house, make an appointment.Mother’s Day Interview Living with Less PodcastMake time. Take time. Don’t waste time.Involve them in EVERYTHING.Pray. Pray. Pray. (for them, with them, over them...and let them pray for you, too). More caught than taught. Don’t just GIVE advice. LIVE wise.7) To wrap up I’d love to know if someone asked you what they needed to begin Living With Less of in regard to their relationship with the Lord what would it be and why?Social Media. Ugh. Such a time hog. Turn off the devices and tune in to HIM!! Less of the world means more time in the Word.8) How can everyone find you - IG, FB, website!www.tabithadeller.comhttps://www.instagram.com/tabdeller/ https://www.facebook.com/Tabitha-Deller-Author-Speaker-Teacher-101629781970442 Mother's Day Giveaway Details:Head to @livingwithless IG page!Like the Mother's Day Giveaway postPlease follow Oil of Joy, Tabitha Deller, and Entrusted By HimComment on the post for extra entires!

This week's Month of Missions episode is a sit down with Amy Ford from Embrace Grace. She unpacks the heart of her organization and how powerful the church can be in the pro-life movement. Your heart will be encouraged and excited to get involved to serve these women, men, and babies.  Connect with Embrace Grace:Website - embracegrace.comBook - www.helpherbebrave.comIG - embracegraceinc Connect with Amy Ford:IG - @amyfordeg

For this week's Month of Missions series I'm taking us back to last years fan favorite month of missions sit down with Love One founder Suzanne Mayernick! We talk all about Love One International, the heart and mission behind it, how the Lord called her to begin this journey, and my favorite part is how her heart for Christ shines through.  Love One's Mission:In 2007, Mike and Suzanne Mayernick flew to Uganda to bring their little girl, JosieLove, home from Uganda. When they arrived, the 15-pound shell of a 3 1/2-year-old who they came to adopt was raging with a 105 degree fever and at a routine medical exam, they found out that that she had malaria, tuberculosis, and was HIV positive.After just a few months at home receiving the love, attention, and the medical care she needed, this once dying little girl blossomed into a healthy, thriving child. Watching JosieLove's transformation sparked a fire inside of Suzanne and she knew that she was called to help more children like her daughter...so she started Love+One.Love+One International got its name from JosieLove and the plus sign represents the mission to support the HIV positive population. A few of my favorite things Suzanne said in our conversation that I felt needed to be out there in written form: "It’s been really cool to watch the lord move the way he does and I’ve been holding onto the kite string as it took off into the air."We saw what love and medical treatment could do for a child like her who could’ve died. My heart just continued to be broken for kids like her.I have no idea how it’s happened. It’s just God. The doors have just continued to open and I’ll obediently walk through them.When I look in these children’s eyes I see Jesus. It’s the only way on this earth I feel like I’m looking dead in the eyes of Jesus. I feel his presents more than ever before through these children.When we resettle these children it’s not love one, it’s the love of Jesus that is why we do what we do. We get to share the love of Christ through this sick kids.In the heartache and the hard He brought JOY everyday through these little children he’d given me to care for.The goal is to build a bigger facility so we can hold 50-100 children.“Submit to His will and I love living in that freedom.” How to get involved!Follow on social mediaPray for the children by name!Pray for our goal: love one - to love that one child that is in our arms or in front of us at that moment.Prayer for our staff.Donate - loveoneinternational.org

This week kicks of the Month of Missions series! This is a 4-part series where I'm bringing on some of my favorite ministries to share about the heart behind their missions, how God has used it to grow their faith, and how you all can get connected with them! We start off this week with Be Still Ministries! Karen McAdams and Rachel Faulkner Brown join me to talk about how their ministry began, the power of prayer, and their hearts behind wanting women set free from their bondage! Meet Karen:At 17 years old I walked the aisle of the big white church and prayed “the prayer” to get my golden ticket. But it was another 17 years before I ever heard the Lord speak to me personally, and when He did I was completely blown away! That day was a catalyst in my life that undid me in every good way and began my healing journey, unraveling decades of carrying the heavy burden of shame from childhood trauma. Now, whether I am teaching bible studies or doing inner healing prayer, I am passionate about leading women to the Truth that sets them free, empowering them to lay down the masks and walk in the beauty, power and authority they have as daughters of the Most High. Since emerging into my years as an empty nester, I have passionately found a deep longing to equip women. As the Director of Equipping for Be Still Ministries, I collaborated to release a video didven bible study curriculum called Father's House in 2020. I am greatly blessed to have three amazing strong men in my life, my husband Kevin who I have been married to for almost 25 years and my sons, Connor and Cade. Connect with her here - @karenmcadams1111Meet Rachel:Rachel Faulkner Brown is a girl with a past like your worst nightmare and a present that is pretty darn fun. Rachel has experienced the  loss of two husbands tragically in an instant, one to an aneurysm and one in an Air Force plane crash.  After marrying for the third time in 2013, Rachel began Be Still Ministries in Atlanta, Ga. Rachel and her ministry partner, Karen McAdams, published their first Bible study in January 2021 called Father's House. The study is now available on digital platforms reaching 4 million women and in 20,000 churches. Be Still Ministries has hosted over 200 widows for the their curated retreats over the last three years and received a grant from the Gary Sinise Foundation in 2020 to expand the ministry for military and first responder widows. Although Rachel stays busy telling the story of Be Still Ministries and Never Alone Widow Retreats, she still would say her greatest role is that of wife and mother. Connect with Rachel here - @rachelfaulknerbrown Be Still Minsitries:We believe that all women should FULLY embrace their freedom as lavishly loved daughters who release the kingdom on earth as it is in HEAVEN.Freedom begins at the finished work of Jesus Christ.It's not about how good we are but how about how good our God is.An adventurously expectant life is the inheritance of every daughter of God.There is more of God to experience and discover in every woman’s life.Website - https://bestillministries.net/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bestillministries/Be Still Ministries is a community of women who are in pursuit of radical freedom + transformation for every daughter of God. 

This week wraps up the 3 week series of re-airing some of Chelsey's favorite episodes over the last two years. Today we close out this series with an episode full of Godly wisdom on how to handle disagreements in a Godly way with Angela Donadio. Angela brings such great perspective and the Word of God to this very timely topic! 1) Tell us about the wonderful you!My husband, Dale and I pastor a church an hour south of Washington DC - in Fredericksburg VA. I serve as a pastor on staff with a focus on women and leadership. We have 2 young adults - Gabrielle, who just graduated from JMU with a musical theatre degree, and is home for a little bit performing regionally, and a son, Christian, who is attending college at VOUS University in Miami - an extension of Southeastern U.So we're in a new season in our family - and there's never a dull moment. And of course, our favorite member of the family, our Shih Tzu, Chewie - short for Chewbacca. :)My degree was Music Education and I served as a Worship Pastor for 20 years and have 3 CD's with original songs and arrangements before I started writing Bible Study resources for women. I'm still active musically in my local community theatre as a Music Director and pianist. That's a fun, creative outlet for me. 2) I felt so compelled to reach out to you when you posted about the topic of disagreements. In our time of history it’s SO hard to disagree without walking away with someone feeling “bullied or belittled” “misheard or judged”.  When you’re in a conversation that’s heading this way what do in this situation? Do you address how it’s feeling or do you redirect? I completely agree with you. Unfortunately, society has shifted from dialogue to debate, and we can't simultaneously listen empathetically and try to win an argument. Conflict is inevitable, but learning to handle conflict in a godly, respectful way is so important. I don't always nail this, I confess! We don't have to agree with someone to honor them. A mentor once encouraged me to filter disagreements through this lens: "Am I trying to do right or be right?" If the disagreement is with someone close to you - family, or close friend, allowing for things to settle down and revisiting it after emotions have calmed down can help. Listening for - and validating - the other person's feelings is critical - even if you don't agree. Validation doesn't mean agreement. It simply means you understand where that person is coming from. Until someone feels "heard" or "understood" it's hard to move on past that place. But if the disagreement is with someone you barely know, for example social media, or you realize you're not going to get on the same page. It's best to let it go. A conflict at work can sometimes be a bit trickier and needs other resolution approaches.3) We can’t control what people do or don’t do. Stand for or don’t stand for. I spoke about holy boldness on my podcast 2 months ago, God’s Boldness is much more gentle than our fleshly boldness. How have you navigated this with ones close to you? I love that truth - think of how God handles us. We can be grateful He is gentler with us than we are sometimes! We can't control other people's reactions; we can only control our responses. We waste a lot of emotional reserves and energy focusing on trying to control where we disagree. Ultimately, I'm not the Holy Spirit and I can't convict anyone of sin or help lead someone to heart change. Only He can do that. I can love people where they are and point people to Jesus. I'm still learning to adapt to having young adult children, and the 4 of us are now adults with strong opinions. Sometimes we disagree and some topics just aren't wise for us to discuss. But relational conflict needs open and honest communication and respect for the other person's viewpoint. 4) Your statement, “No one has power over you unless you give it to them”. Do you have any biblical encouragement for girls like me who struggle with this! I can really credit Eleanor Rosevelt for this statement  - she said it this way, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." But it is challenging! I think immediately of Esther in the Bible. Once she learned that Haman, high up in the King's command, planned the genocide of her entire people, she had to sit on that information until the right moment to act. She gave us a template:Stop and pray. Enlist a couple people you trust to pray with you (they don't even have to know the details.)Wait for God's timing. Speak the truth in love - more concerned with the good of others than your own feelings. A friend once said to me - If you have to talk with someone about an offense or a disagreement, it should hurt you as much to say it as it will for them to hear it. If we haven't prayed through our emotions and listened for God's voice on how to respond until we can honestly say we're at this place, we're not ready yet. 5) Love is fuel. Can you elaborate on this and why we’ve got be better at being the hands and feet of Jesus. Anger is fuel but so is love. We have to choose which we're going to be fueled by. One repels and estranges us from others, and one endears us to others. One of the titles of Jesus I'm most intrigued by is those who called Him a "friend of sinners." Somehow he navigated speaking truth but in love - so people were drawn to Him and drawn to a new way of living. Scripture says that the Kindness of God leads to repentance. When our actions and words are fueled by genuine love for others - which can only come after we've spent time with Jesus privately, then others will be drawn to Jesus. In my upcoming Bible study I put it this way: "We'll be the best version of ourselves in public when we've spent time with Jesus in private." If I haven't gotten His heart I can't show His heart to others. 6) Living With Less Question - the podcast is all about Living With Less of the things getting in the way of who Christ is calling us to be. If someone asked you what they should start living with less of in regards to this what would you tell them and why? Live with less unmet expectations. The root of a lot of conflict is unmet expectations. This leads us to disappointment and resentment. It doesn't mean we shouldn't have realistic expectations of ourselves or others. It means we need to constantly release any unmet expectations to Jesus, because ultimately, only He is able to fully meet the expectations of our heart. If we're feeling stuck, we can get unstuck by talking our emotions through with the other person, if that's the right solution, or settling our sideways emotions in Jesus' presence. Bring as few people into the drama of a situation as possible. It makes it much harder to resolve and adds unnecessary dynamics of conflict. Also, living with less insecurity. Insecurity feeds a lot of conflict. When we ground our worth in the Word we aren't as prey to the dangers of insecurity. Insecurity drives us toward competition with others rather than celebrating others. If we look for ways to bring peace into a situation and elevate others rather than win an argument, we'll live stronger, healthier, happier lives. 7) Favorite bible verse and why So many! 1 John 3:1 - See what great love the Father has lavished on us - that we should be called children of God." When we live loved, we can love others. 8) Share with us your new bible study coming out! Fearless, Ordinary Women of the Bible who Dared to do Extraordinary Things - launches October 1st! They can pre-order today at angeladonadio.com and purchase at their favorite retailer on October 1st! 6-session Bible study designed to help us find our fearless as we discover what happens when uncommon faith has an unexpected encounter with an extraordinary God. Whether you're longing to realize your purpose, fighting for a God-given cause, or kicking fear to the curb, these women of the Bible will help us stop the cycle of comparison and overcome the barriers to fearless living.

This week's episode is one my heart needed and I pray it meets you in a tender way too. Let's Talk Friendship is exactly what Alysha Miller came on the show to do, talk all things friendship! 1) Why we need it. 2) How it's a call from The Lord. 3) How to stick it out when things get hard.I don't know about you but recently my heart has felt weary so I pray you to find yourself listening to this episode feeling like you're one of our friends sitting at the table with us.1) Tell us about you!Alysha Miller lives in Southern California where she serves her local church in the 5-6th grade ministry and also is a full-time wedding photographer.Being around a lot of couples stepping into marriage, in 2015, she felt the Lord move her heart to compassion for marriage as a whole and for those who were stepping into marriage without fully realizing what they were stepping into. She wanted to use the gift of photography the Lord had given her to shine a light on what marriage is, who defines it and answer questions from a biblical perspective pertaining to it. Who better than to ask then married couples who have traversed this path? Learn how ironically God would use a single girl to set out on a journey to get to the heart of His heart for marriage.The project is a photography project turned podcast in hopes that interviewing couples with Christ at the center of their marriage can answer some of the harder questions yet ultimately, the objective has always been to glorify Christ through marriage as it points to our relationship with Him, Christ, and His church.And help us realize, He is our first love.  Nothing will satisfy us, apart from Him.  No relationship, no person, no marriage was ever intended to take the place of Him in our hearts.2) I’ve been so excited to sit down with you and talk all things friendship. Not only because of the one God has gifted in us but because of the way God has grown your faith through the strong friendships he’s given you. How have you seen The Lord use the strong biblically-centered friendships you have to keep you focused on Him? It would have been much easier to miss on Sunday or not stay committed to things had it not been for the girl's God has placed in my life.  It’s accountability but it’s more than accountability.  It’s love.  I want to show up, I want to see my friends! Church on Sundays is a place that has been built into a habit and I get to see my friends.Love what Pastor Ed shared on Sunday, the LOVE of Christ that fills us. 1 John 4 — it’s His love, real love, for one another and when we have this in common and come together and hear what He’s doing in each other’s life, supporting each other in prayer, caring for the other, we’re showing His love for us to each other.Prayer support is HUGE. They have carried out the ministry things I’ve done bc they’ve prayed over future plans with me, and have listened to my heart and dreams and listened intently. carry one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)It’s not one-sided, I do the same. One of my best friends, how we met, heart to heart across a couch and went on a prayer walk a few hours after meeting. The deepest friendships are formed there.There’s just been heart to hearts and safe places to land my heart when it’s needed a place to confess, work through heart things.Listening and being trustworthy, being someone friends can trust and come to with things they need to talk about. Good listeners, but it takes one to be one. Learning the art of listening, with your heart. That was a season God took me through, no always waiting to talk but just listening to understand.  I didn’t always need to get a word in. Cell phones face down on the table don’t count. Heart to heart, over a table, no phone out. Also, no gossiping or slandering.  That’s a hard one! I slip so much when it comes to speech and those are usually the more convicting verses for me reading about the power of the tongue,James 4:11 “Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.” There are at least 32 verses about gossip according to Google and 27 pertaining to the tongue and maybe there’s an overlap on some, but that’s a lot!My call as a friend is to be encouraging, building my friends up with my words and pointing THEM back to HIM and pray for them. They don’t need my opinion about other people. I need to repent of that when I mess up, (repenting pretty much daily) and ask the Lord to cleanse me from the hidden sins lurking in my heart and to keep me from the deliberate sins lurking there. Psalm 19:12-14 The hidden sin is the word or impulsive blurb about somebody that comes out of my heart, the deliberate sin is knowing I don’t need to say that, chewing on it and saying it anyway.  I’ve been working with the Lord on this one, thinking ahead. Where will the conversation turn if I say this?  Then probably don’t need to say it.3) Biblically speaking friendship is a call, we’re called to be in relationship with other believers.  What would you say to someone who gets caught up "taking back their yes?”I used to be that girl.  I would flake, I would make commitments than decide to cancel last minute. And hey, I probably still do that every now and then. BUT in Christ, He has given me a different perspective.  TO be a good friend is to show up, even when I last minute feel tired or want to be an introvert. A loving Creator designed us to exist in a relationship with Him, with each other and with the rest of creation. Friendship is a good thing, a God thing.Romans 12:10 Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. This is GOD’S HEART.I have learned and am still learning how to use my yes’ more thoughtfully, not just gleefully excitedly saying YES to every invite and asserting my no’s when I’m being pulled a lot of different ways or no even when I want to say yes because it’s the responsible thing or I know the yes isn’t the thing God wants for me. Then I feel more purposeful in fulfilling the “yes’” and knowing there are blessings on the other side of that yes when the day comes around to meet up with said friends and maybe my feelings are telling me to stay home because it’d be more convenient for me.  Whenever I’ve followed through on my yes (and I pretty much will now with any YES unless I’m really sick or there’s rain or something out of my control happening) I am always SO glad I followed through because I would have missed out on SO much with that friend.  And it’s two-sided, I am filled up and so is she!The devil is in those lying feelings to stay home, he wants to RIP US OFF of anything productive, fun, fruitful, enjoyable, edifying, good for us that’s going to build up the Body.4) Personally speaking, I know it can be really hard to put myself out there ESPECIALLY with women my age. How have you learned to do this?It started with bible study.  That’s where most of my friendships in the Lord have blossomed out of.  I’m blessed to be a part of a women’s bible study that is multi-generational, so we get to hear wisdom from someone more seasoned in life yet also been paired with women my age.  Our church is pretty intentional about that.  So within the safe parameters of studying the Word of God together and a group setting, we’ve gotten to know each other through speaking about life’s situations but with prayer and the Word of God around it.  Then it’s branched off from there and we already know some things about each other.The branching out part though might take some going out of our comfort zones. Being the one to text and invite to coffee or lunch, and I think being the first to share things about me invites this person to share more about herself.  It can be an awkward thing if you make it that, but it also doesn’t have to be. But having the Lord in common makes girls I’ve literally just met feel like sisters, we have this immediate bond and it’s awesome!5) Hardship in deep friendship is inevitable. Knowing your part of your story can you share the difference between allowing the Holy Spirit to work verses hashing it out in the flesh.Yes! Sharing the iron sharpening iron thing, living together, and having an honest conversation about where we were disagreeing, how we hurt each other alone felt like we had done it in our strength because I walked away shaking and with nothing resolved.  We went in around and round circles and were just not understanding each other.But we even talked about going our separate ways if it just couldn’t get better because we couldn’t keep living this way and we realized if that happened though it be like a divorce, other friends had connected through the two of us, and we didn’t make other friends have to choose between us the rest of their lives. But God!I Didn’t text her going to church that Sunday, she came and sat next to me and the message was on the power of forgiveness and we just hugged after and it was gone. Without any words yet a Mediator and He just took it. We later realized what held us for that year and a half of bitterness and hurt feelings for each other had felt like a prison sentence….and I kid you not this is literally what I had said a couple years prior.  I had just got done reading a book called Captive in Iran (such a good book!) and the testimonies of these two women in jail together had me saying, “What if we went to jail for our faith together?” And we said, dang we felt like we had.Mark and Paul (sent Mark away but then called Barnabas to bring Mark back to him as he was helpful in ministry 2 Tim 4:116) Living in a world of instant gratification it can feel hard to navigate “lasting” friendships. They seem uncommon and honestly, counter-cultural. What would you say to the person desiring deep relationships in our current fast pace, on the go, busy world?Pray about it! My mom told that.  You can pray for a friend in the Lord! God will be happy to answer that. He’s answered it a hundredfold and in one on one’s, discussing the Word of God, praying together like I said and just being intentional in investing and listening and being genuinely interested in your friend’s life!Also, because we live in a fast-paced, busy world, there needs to be much grace… I need to be less and less offendable.  If a friend doesn’t get right back to me through text, grace.  If you see her with another friend on Instagram and you feel left out grace.Don’t just exit the friendship and start over.  Next time, just say OH ID LOVE TO JOIN YOU GIRLS NEXT TIME if that’s something you really would want.7) The living with less podcast birthed from John 3:30 is all about living with less of the things getting in the way of who Christ is calling us to be. If someone asked you what they needed to begin living with less of in regards to this, what would you tell them and why?I’d say, less of isolation, more community.  Do the thing you’re flesh is telling you not to do. Go to the Friday night study, sign up for the women’s bible study, say yes to the book club even if it’s not your favorite book, drive 30 mins out of your way to meet up to study alongside her.Less shutting down, more opening up.  Be willing to share and be real with that friend.Fewer friends who only like things you like, more sisters in Christ who may challenge you to do things you’d never do before.Like run or indoor rock climb, go out on a limb and think less of self and more of others!8) Can you share a small snippet of what The Marriage Project podcast is all about? Yes! The Marriage Project is an extension of my wedding photography business and an extension of God’s heart for marriage.  He’s led me to create a platform for Christian married couples to share their testimonies and to glorify Christ through the messier, harder parts of their stories and hopefully, in doing so, others can learn more about marriage, what it is, what God’s heart is for it and understand the weight of the calling marriage is. Hoping it can equip many!That is scraping the surface, you can read more at www.themarriageproject.co or on Instagram @themarriageprojectco.

1) Tell us about you! (Family, work, ministry, church, etc)I come from a large family in Oklahoma, married to husband Danny and live in OC - love our life group, community, church RHMV, and walks to the beach where our story started.part time for AKB as the Trauma Trainer and Director of Organizational Healthpart time in private practice in Newport Beach serving children and families through counseling2) Can you share about the mission of AKB?Activate Government, Business and Faith leaders to end the crisis for kids in foster care.3) When did you feel called to start serving in this space and how did that feel when you first began?I had a heart for children for forever & the fatherless since about 10 years oldFamily’s foster/adopt journey + family mission trips seeing hurting people led me to study social workMasters program - clearly interested in working in foster/adopt worldFelt difficult, beautiful, energizing, sad, overwhelming, and yet “right” for me4) Something that I found really incredible about America’s Kid’s Belong is how it talks about the collective impact. I love that the Church is included in this. Can you share how the church can help make a lasting impact in regards to this organization?That is something I am pretty passionate about too!Church/Bride of Christ is the only thing that will last, most sustainableOnly body of people with biblical mandate to care for & bring justice for & uphold the rights of the orphan/widow (James 1:27 & Psalm 82:3)Churches/Faith communities are everywhere- Over 300,000 churches in US- widespreadFaith communities built for caring for people, supporting family, advocating for wholenessRESEARCH: Identify families in your church who are (or have) already fostering. Listen to them. Organize and recognize them as a key ministry team in the church.RETAIN: Support them with a “Wrap Around Ministry”RECRUIT: Host a “Belong” Sunday and a “Next Steps Event” to recruit new families.provide space (video shoots, visitations, meetings, child welfare events)host trainings (trauma, WRAP around, child welfare trainings, documentary showings like Resilience Film or REMOVED films)start foster care related ministryeducate self & surrounding community on felt needscare for & love on local child welfare workerswrap around foster/adopt familiesprovide parents night outteach/preach on current foster care related issues & needs5) Can you share a little bit about the in’s and out’s of adoption here in America? What is the timeline, what ages have the hardest time with placements, and what does the need look like?U.S.Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau  -- AdoptionandFosterCareAnalysisandReportingSystemhttps://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/cb/afcarsreport26.pdf125,422 kids WAITING TO BE ADOPTED (legally free)262,956 kids ENTERED FOSTER CARE437,283 kids IN FOSTER CARE61,901 kids ADOPTED through foster care in 2019 report (25%)Home Study approval process anywhere from 3 - 6 monthsAge 12+ high risk for aging out6) “It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. – Frederick Douglass This quote nearly took my breath away. Is there a story that stands out in your memory of a time The Lord placed a child with a family and a miracle happened within their heart?Educate about and advocate for ALL three responsesUpstream: Provide care for at risk families before child welfare is involvedIn the stream: Provide care for kids in care & foster familiesDownstream: Provide care for aged out youthWe get to hear of teenagers and young adults in their 20’s being adoptedGo upstream and catch them before 10 social woundsPeople need People! Stuff without people/relationships is a bandaid.First few months of placement honeymoon, then grief/loss hit, then slow adjustment and steps toward healing7) For someone listening that what’s to get involved with your organization, what can they do to help? Whether financially, prayerfully, or if they are interested in adoption?PrayFollow social media to stay up to dateWrap around familiesLearn/educate watch videosGIVE!!8) The Living With Less Podcast was birthed from John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease.” If someone approached you and asked what they needed to begin living with less of in regards to this what would you tell them and why? What are you carrying that you don’t need to carry anymore?Our unresolved pain, loss, & shame prevents us from fully experiencing all that He is and desires for us in relationship with HimFor Him to increase in our lives, our barriers to him must decreaseResolve those things through healthy community, counseling, support groups, reconciliation, and inviting Him to heal wounds.Connects to caring for those in pain - How can we lead the hurting to a place of healing if we have never been there ourselves?You can’t give a child what you have never received

This week Chelsey sits down with Kelly Balarie to talk about resting with the Lord. Truly resting with Him - in His Word, through His directing, and living in surrender with Him.   I’ve been so eager to have this conversation for a few reasons. 1st being I know this will be a blessing to each person that listens - this message is one that so perfectly fits with what The Lord has laid on my heart. 2nd this book met me in the midst of a few weeks where I felt like I was drowning in “un-rest”. So first I wanted to start by diving into talking about the first chapter of this book - “the endless pursuit of more”. One of my favorite parts was the Counting of Counterfeits. Can you share about these “counterfeits” of more that seemingly creep in and begin fighting for the throne of our hearts that belongs only to The Lord.What takes your eyes off of the Lord?What takes your attention of what the Lord is doing in your life? 1 John 2:16, "For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.” This is huge in culture today, we live in the most self seeking, self preserving, self centered generations. What would you say to the women who are getting sucked into these messages of, “me, me, me..and all the world offers.”?Keep your eyes on Jesus and the simplicity of His message!Be obedient to His call over our lives as His followers. Where can listeners get your book and connect with you! Website - https://purposefulfaith.comInstagram - @kellybalarieTwitter - @kellybalarieFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/purposefulfaith 

This week Chelsey digs into 1 Corinthians 3:4-9. Paul writes this letter to the church of Corinth to point them back to the heart of God that in Him is where all growth comes from and we as His followers are His servants. We cannot have divisions in the church based off an allegiance to man, when the only One on the thrones of our life should be Jesus Christ.  1 Corinthians 3:4-9 - 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human? 5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. 1 Peter 5:2-3 - 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

This week Chelsey dives into submitting our desires and preferences before the Lord, seeking His heart through the study of His Word, and having constant reminders around that point us back to Him.  Women In The Word:We have to approach God's Word seeking His heart and not through the lens of what we prefer.We have to have dialogue with other believers that will challenge us to seek His Word, we can't just agree with what everyone says God's Word says and claim we know it to be true.God's Word will never contradict itself. Stories in scripture where we see the slippery slope of leading with what we prefer and the detriments of giving into the desires of our flesh:2 Timothy 3:2-72 Samuel 11 & 12Numbers 15:32 We Need Reminders:Numbers 37-40 - We need reminders and things/people to hold us accountable to what God desires for us!He told the Israelites to make blue tassel cords as reminders of God's commands, to keep them, and to not follow their own heart + eyes. Our flesh's preferences and emotions do not have authority over us.We can't allow our flesh's preferences and emotions to deluded the work of Christ on the cross. Get your freebie blue tassel reminder book mark/printable here!  

Provoked to Proclaim: Spotting False Teachers, Keeping Honor in Women's Bible Study, & Knowing God Rightly with Marcie Morris. Episode 114 is packed with much needed truth to equip us as we walk with the Lord and keep Him and His Word as the center of our lives.  False Teachers: 2 Peter 2:1-2But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 2 Peter 2:1-2False teachers bank on unsteady souls and biblical illiteracy, they bank on you not reading your Bible.If you think your pastor has fallen into this or you have questions take them to Him in love and respect. Take God's Word and ask him to clarify what he meant and to point out in scripture where he drew his conclusion from.A good, faithful, honest pastor will tell his people and want his people to go to Scripture and hold him accountable to it!  The Difference Between False Teacher and Heretic:False teachers believe in core doctrine.Heritics deny core doctrine.A false teacher does not always mean a heretic.A Heretic will always be a false teacher. Scripture Reference to Mark and Avoid:Romans 16:17 - I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.Titus 3:10 - As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him..2 John 10 - If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting.. Women's Bible StudyIf you are leading a women's ministry, be FAITHFUL to scripture, don't bank of the felt need of the women.Study God's Word and use a solid commentary. Go verse by verse. Edmund Clowney book - The Unfolding Mystery: Discovering Christ in the Old TestamentWe must KNOW God in order to worship Him rightly. Connect with Marcie:IG: @provokedtoproclaimTwitter: @provoked2proclm

This is one of Chelsey's favorite episodes ever recorded. She walks through Exodus and points out the call over our lives as followers of Christ to have hearts full of reverence for God, to desire accountability for ourselves and others, and that we are promised a distinction between God's people and those of this world.   Exodus 35-40 goes through the construction of tabernacle, making the ark of the covenant, , making the alter, making priests garments. These chapters show us that God desires for us to keep sacred what He has called sacred. We need to approach God's HOLY PLACE knowing that it is a HOLY PLACE. The alter is not a place for a show or a place to glamorize to make it look attractive to the world. It is a place dedicated to God the Father. Exodus 12:24-27 - The Passover We must uphold the call that the Lord gave the Israelites to SHARE what God has done.We need to share scripture and TELL of ALL His wonderful works.Psalm 9:1-2 Exodus 15 - Moses' Song of PraiseWe should desire to write down the details of our lives that the Lord has orchestrated.We should always seek God with a heart of PRAISE!  Exodus 21-23 - Accountability We see in Ch. 22:1-4 that ALL are held accountable no matter who they are or what they came from.We need to stop withholding consequences and start to allow people to see the detriments of their sin, because in this place - they see the cost, redemption, and heart of the Father at work.Holding people accountable is NOT withholding grace.  Exodus 32:26, Exodus 10:21-23, Matthew 10:34-39 - Distinction Exodus 32 - the call to those who were on the Lord's side. Exodus 10 - the LIGHT over ONLY the Israelites (God's people) when darkness was over the Egyptians for 3 days. Matthew 10 - There will be a separation between people who choose a life for Christ or a life that loves the world   

This week Chelsey sat down with Alisha Illian to dive into a deep conversation of living surrendered to the Lord and pursuing Christ's heart in a world that desires to distract us with living for ourselves.Alisha is a wife, mom, founder of Women (re)Purposed, author of Chasing Perfect: Peace and Purpose in the Exhausting Pursuit of Something Better, and she loves equipping women with biblical truth and hope for their day-to-day struggles.  1) Tell us a little about you!Two years ago I moved from Dallas, TX back to my hometown of Wichita, Kanas with my husband of 14 years and our three, high-octane kids who are 8,10, and 12. We are the in the golden years — the are old enough to rides their own bikes on family bike rides, but no hormonal rollercoaster rides yet. My kids are big into sports and extracurricular activities. Even when we just do one sport per child....it gets busy fast. MOST CHALLENGING PART of ministry and family life. NOT BALANCE, BUT JUGGLING.I’ve been in women’s ministry both at home and in the local church for the past 20 years. Currently the founder and director for Women rePurposed, a ministry that God planted in my heart a couple of years ago and is just now launching with a full team this summer.WRP MISSION: Encouraging and Equipping Women to Love God, Learn Truth, and Live Transformed 2) I am really excited to dive into this conversation today - I’d love to start with this. Your book is titled, “Chasing Perfect”. Can you give a quick run down of the book and then share where this message came from in your own life. What changed/shifted/conviction did you feel on your heart from the Lord?Chasing Perfect: Peace and Purpose in the Exhausting Pursuit of Something Better. Authors often write books, not because they have it all figured out or have perfectly overcome a struggle, but they have learned to STRUGGLE WELL.Not all women would probably consider themselves “perfectionists”, wanting all dishes put away, beds made and counters immaculate. I certainly don’t! But many of us are constantly seeking the next best thing or reaching for something better in order to feel content.We are chasing after so many things — satisfaction in our jobs, happiness in our homes, a great tribe of friends, and a beautiful body. THE PERFECT PLAN, CONTROL, IDENTITY.I honestly believe that the most socially acceptable idols of our day IS ACHIEVEMENT — the continual desire to be great or better. I would add...to be in control. The pandemic and state of our world right now has made that painfully clear. We are looking for an answer. So we strive to be better, do better, find better, live better in an attempt to manage, tidy, and control the outcomes of our lives.BUT GOD ISN’T ASKING US FOR TIDY LIVES, BUT TRANSFORMED LIVES. HE CALLS US TO PERFECTION, BUT NOT THE PERFECTION THAT WE CAN ATTAIN, BUT THE PERFECTION THAT HE PROVIDES.“Be perfect as I am perfect.” Matthew 5:48The NT Greek idea of “perfect” here ‘TE-LE-AS’ is less about doing everything just right AND WITHOUT FLAW as the English word describes it and more about living into your purpose and identity we were designed and called to ... “being brought to it’s end, complete and mature”NOT A COMMAND TO ETHICAL EQUALITY WITH GOD, BUT THE COMMAND TO IMITATE AND REFLECT GOD. WHICH IS WHY JAMES 1:2-4 IS SO POWERFUL WHEN IT SAYS TO “COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YOU MEET TRIALS OF VARIOUS KINDS, FOR YOU KNOW THAT THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH PRODUCES STEADFASTNESS. AND LET STEADFASTNESS HAVE ITS FULL EFFECT THAT YOU MAY BE “PERFECT” AND COMPLETE, LACKING IN NOTHING.”We are called to aim for increasing holiness and sanctification. He wants us to grow. But through Him and for him and in him. We aren’t chasing perfection in ourselves or for ourselves.“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” Hebrews 12:1-3The more I studied the scripture on this idea of “perfection” and contentment, the more I realized that the desire is not wrong. But, In fact, it may be intentional, part of how God created us.The problem is that, in my life, I often had and still often do, chase the wrong things. We were made to chase Jesus. 3) The idol of self has blazed a trail in our world and taken the Lord off of the throne of our hearts. Where do you see this being most destructive and where in scripture would you take someone as they are trying to move away from this way of living?It saddens me that so many books, and supposedly Christian authors anchor their messages on self-determination and personal fulfillment. That true hope and purpose is found in “fulfilling your potential”. They may have large followings, but they fail to tell you WHO you should really follow and that the meaningful life is not found in self-empowerment, but the surrender of self to God’s power and provision.Rachel Hollis - was on New York Times best seller list 46 weeks, sold over 3 million copies, 1.6 million followers. Her books are flying off the shelf and women are listening and admire her. Says a lot about our culture. HUSTLE CULTURE trend - started when a very popular book was released “Girl, wash your face.” This book was released by a Christian publisher, but is more of a motivational and self-help book with a little Jesus sprinkled in. But the idea of the message and this authors message is that YOU CONTROL YOUR OWN HAPPINESS AND THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS LIVING INTO YOUR BEST SELF POSSIBLE. YOU CONTROL YOUR HAPPINESS AND DESTINY.THE MANTRA ... LIVE INTO YOUR POTENTIAL. SO, you need to constantly chase your “ideal self”. You can take active steps to be happy and fulfilled. Definitely a self- help type message. You are in control of your fulfillment in life. Although some of these things can be helpful, we can’t expect to find soul peace and purpose outside of God. According to this author — “lost” means living into other people’s expectations of yourself and not your own. Ultimate happiness is living into your own potential!! (How you look, how much money you have, how you feel about yourself) the posture is rooted in the here and now! Almost a “chasing of your ideal self” that is her idea of heaven. The mantra is ... “Just try harder!”You are your own Savior!It seems like culture (and even Christian subculture) is really BUYING INTO THIS IDEA OF THE “GOSPEL OF SELF” — it’s everywhereITS HONESTLY EXHAUSTING TO BE FORCED TO BELIEVE THAT I AM ENOUGH AND THAT MY HAPPINESS IS DEPENDENT ON ME. DEEP DOWN INSIDE I KNOW I’M NOT ENOUGH.And the Bible says I’m not enough. - In Romans it says that I am a sinner. In Eph 2 it says that I am dead in my sins. In Is 64:6 it says that my good works are like filthy rags. We have to get the diagnosis right before we can accept the cure. If we think we are good and able and capable, we will never accept God’s remedy. The endless chase for hope and purpose will go no where and in the wrong direction.Self is not the answer. It’s the problem.The Gospel is the answer, the good news. Jesus perfection for me. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 For. 5:21I needed reminded that the GOSPEL changes everything. In my struggles, insecurities, anxieties ... I need to settle my mind and heart in the hope of the gospel. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am humble of heart; and you will find rest. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30The “yoke” was a visual of the harness that was used for sen to get them to pull a cart or farming equipment. One yoke for two oxen. The yoke of Jesus was his teaching ... the gospel. The Jews of Jesus day were living under the heavy weight of the law, trying to earn favor with God through adherence to over 600 laws and many extra laws that were merely tradition. This was exhausting. Jesus way was light because it wasn’t dependent on their efforts that were futile, but on his sufficiency. Anytime we look inward to find hope and peace, we pick up our heavy yoke.It’s so easy to start feeling frazzled and discontent when the source of our hope comes from ourselves...how we measure up, how we perform, how we compare. It’s exhausting. We will never be ENOUGH. We are the problem, so we can’t also be the solution. We know we aren’t enough, so when the world or even the Christian sub-culture tells us that we are, we get disheartened.But Jesus is enough, his perfection is enough. He is our hope...not the number on the scale, your spouses mood, your ability to accomplish or impress. Sure, we are called to put forth effort in life, steward our bodies, gifts, and passions, but the point is .... Our acceptance and identity can’t be dependent on those things. We work from a place of acceptance, not for a place of acceptance. That is life-giving and liberating.And let’s not forget that the gospel message transforms or should transformed every aspect of our lives. Because of the grace of God, we can forgive others, live in the freedom that we are found worthy on the merit of Jesus, not our performance. We can extend grace to others in the same way. Because of Jesus, we don’t need to find our significance in our significant other, our waist line or even our ability to handle every situation perfectly. The gospel gives us hope outside of ourselves or our uncertain circumcstances, so when we walk in obedience, aiming to live into the “teleas” or perfect completion, we are not fighting for hope and peace, we are living in and from his provision and purpose.  4) Self-help doesn’t work, the blood of Christ is what saves. You have the quote that went wild on the internet, "You can eat all the kale, buy all the things, lift all the weights, take all the trips, trash all that doesn't spark joy, wash your face and hustle like mad, but if you don't rest your soul in Jesus, you'll never find peace and purpose.” I’ve seen so many women caught in the trap of “self-help” culture. How would you steward someone away from this lie and to the truth of God’s Word?THE IRONY IS THAT THE SELF-HELP GOSPEL ISN’T HELPING OURSELF— ...We think we are STRIVING FOR ACHIEVEMENT, POWER, OR POPULARITY. What WE ARE really AFTER is JOY, PEACE, PURPOSE, SATISFACTION, LOVE, CONTROL .... JESUS!We don’t need transformed out of our idols of success, being better, having more, comfort, control, etc. .... We needed transformed out of our DISBELIEF AND DISTRUST.Ultimately, WE don’t believe he is enough. We don’t trust him. The kingdom of God says ... Surrender self ... not this idea of promotion of self or focus on self. Surrender is required for soul peace.NLT “If you cling to your life, you will lose it. If you give up your life for me, you will find it.” Matt 10:39To bear fruit (the fruit of what we are all after — joy, peace, purpose, etc) we must “die” to ourself. John 12:24 (unless the kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies it remains only a single seed ... it won’t produce abundant life)The worship of God, the centrality of God in our lives, not self, is the life-giving well that will bear much fruit.THE GREATEST SELF-CARE IS SOUL CARE. THE GREATEST WAY TO LOVE YOURSELF (OR HELP YOURSELF) IS TO LOSE YOURSELF. 5) Submission to God’s will is difficult for all of us at some point. What has this looked like for you - where in your life did you see surrender to the Lord needed to happen most?I’ve always struggled with wanting to control the outcomes. Jesus said to cast my cares on him. I liked that idea, as long as I didn’t cast them so far that I couldn’t manage them. HE KNEW I HAD A CONTROL PROBLEM. Knowing that, he allowed me to experience and struggle through a condition that would affect the part of the nervous system that we have no control over and with no real clear control over or answer to what it would turn into or how to manage it. I now have temperature control issues, twitching muscles, heart rate/BP. My hands shake ... but my heart no longer does.“If dependence is the goal, weakness is the advantage.”But anything that makes us lean on him and turn to his word for truth, security, and hope is a blessing.C.S. Lewis said this ... “Pain makes us put away our toys”In our struggles we tend to turn away from ourselves, our insufficiency, our entertainment and turn toward the ETERNAL, the sufficient. We cling to the steady and immovable.It was this season that I realized I was chasing my own sufficiency and control over Jesus for happiness. My joy was dependent on circumstances, not his presence.But ... every day is A daily decision to trust God. SOMETIMES HIS DELIVERANCE ISN’T TO TAKE US OUT OR REMOVE US FROM THE DIFFICULTY. HIS DELIVERANCE IS HIS PRESENCE. 6) This makes me want to address the beloved verse Jer 29:11, many in the world even love this. Though many disregard that this is a call to submission, not a promise to have what we want, when we want it, with no pain in life. I’d love to heart from you, how have you seen God draw you in through the “plans and provisions” He’s had for you that were NEVER what you thought it would look like?The 3 most important aspects of good Bible study is ....CONTEXT CONTEXT CONTEXT. We have to read scripture in light of the immediate context of what is happening and the big story of scripture if we want to properly interpret. This particular verse is frequently plucked out of context to convey this idea that God will only give us a pleasant and prosperous life....according to world standards. That feels nice. It seems so uplifting. But God was actually giving a promise to his people ISRAEL (who were going to be exiled to Babylon and have their nation and temple destroyed). It was a specific promise that they would return to the land in 70 years. See verse 10. This was a re-assurance that God would not forsake them.So the primary application is not for us today. BUT we can apply it as a general principle of God’s consistent character, his grace and affection for those he loves, including us...his daughters! For us, in Christ, he has promised that our sins are forgiven, we stand before God justified (Jesus perfection as ours), and will work all things together for our good ... even the trials and difficulties of life. (Romans 5:5, Romans 8:31-39).So, as I walk this out ... I’m daily deciding to trust him. It’s easy to trust him with my soul, it’s harder to trust him with my life. With my chronic neurological condition, with my marriage, my family, my ministry. Sometimes God is quiet.He asks me to trust him in the middle moments, when I do the things that don’t get immediately recognized or appreciated. He wants me to walk in step with the spirit, yielding to him instead of controlling and micromanaging every aspect of my day or planning out every step. I’m learning that often his plan isn’t this specific “thing”, but his will is daily dependence and surrender.Will I turn to the world’s answer and solution or trust God and his plan, even if it means that the answer may not come or the promise for good may not be realized until I see him face to face and the world is renewed and restored? 7) I ask all my guest this -T he Living With Less Podcast was birthed from John 3:30, “He must increase, I must decrease.” If someone asked you what they needed to begin living with less of what would you tell them and why?First, can I just say that that is my favorite verse in the Bible. It’s actually my life verse. My pastor preached on John 3 last week and talked about JTB. John said these final worlds as a response to his disciples who were frustrated at the greater success of Jesus disciples. What humility to realize that it wasn’t about him! His efforts were always just a response and desire to make much of Jesus. I read the book, “The Voice of Prophet” by A.W. Tozer last month and he talks about how God will use the man (or woman) with whom his glory is most safe.This was a mic drop moment for me as I considered how so often I don’t think God’s glory is safe with me. I want the glory. I want applause. I care about what people think, if they like me and approve.I want to live with less of me — concern for acceptance, approval and applause. I want to live for the praise and love of Jesus. I want him to lifted, glorified and increased.And here’s the crazy thing, the more I live for him, surrender to his will, and willing to lose my life ... the more hope, joy, purpose and freedom I will find. We were never meant to chase perfection, but chase the Perfect one. In him alone and for his glory alone will we find what we are looking for and rest for our souls. Connect with Alisha:www.womenrepurposed.comOrder Chasing Perfect HERE!@womenrepurposed  - Instagram@alishaillian - Instagram

This week Chelsey sits down with Lacey Rabalais from the Homegrown Theologian to talk about The Cost Of Grace. We dive into the price of Christ's life so that we may receive grace, the difference between grace and mercy, how cheap graces cheapens all of the things of the Lord, and why we need to know God's Word so that we can deepen our knowledge of the glory of God.  Scripture Reference:Genesis 3John 19Isaiah 53:5 This quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate."Costly grace - "Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble; it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him."He shares this lastly - "Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: "ye were bought at a price," and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.” What has been seen under the microscope of the last year and need to accountability:A lack of biblical literacy from all facets of the church. We need to know God through His Word personally. Accountability - we need sound people to hold us accountable. In the early church disciples were never sent out alone. We were not intended to be in isolation.  Connect with Lacey:IG: lacerabWebsite: https://laceyrabalais.com/

This is the last episode of the deception series. Chelsey shares why we have to stop holding hands with the world and why we must live only for Christ. She breaks down several of the main issues we see happening within the church and Christ followers, and reminds us of what God's Word says for us to do on this earth.  Scriptures:Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.Matthew 10:34 - “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.Ephesians 5:6-11 - 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.Matthew 4:10 - For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.1 Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

This week Chelsey is sharing about God's command to love in deed and in truth. This is yet another post we must not waver from holding. To love like Christ we must LOVE in action and in truth, always. To love in deed and in truth we must be walking in the light: 1 John 1:5-10 5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.To to walking in His light means you've accepted Christ as Lord and Savior - you believe in Jesus's life, death, and resurrection.We in Christ confess our sin and seek true repentance because we know He is faithful and just to forgive our sin.  To love in deed and in truth we must know what the Lord commands of us because those who know Him seek to obey Him:1 John 2:3-6 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.We in Christ must know His commands. Keep His word.Abide in His ways and WALK like Him. To love in deed and in truth we must not desire to live and love like the world: 1 John 2:15-17 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life —is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.To love like Christ we must get comfortable with being unpopular. We have to daily seek God's desires over our fleshly desires. To love in deed and in truth we must reject the deception of the world and lead others in truth:1 John 2:18-24 18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.We must remember the truth we were taught - VS 24.Uphold the truth so you wont be "taken captive by empty deceit". Col 2:8 To love in deed and in truth we must know who we are in Christ, His beloved Children:1 John 3:1-10 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.True Christ followers have conviction because of the Holy Spirit living within our hearts. We seek repentance and walk in sanctification.We love in deed and in truth - 1 John 3:19 "By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him.." 1 John 3:23-24 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God,and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us. Stand Firm: Standing Firm In Your Faith Against Deception:You can get the 7 day devotional at the link here: STAND FIRM DEVOPart of the proceeds for the sale of each devotional goes towards donating Bibles to kids through Compassion! 

This week Chelsey dives into Proverbs 3 and why we have to hold our post for the Lord and what He commands of us.Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart3 My son, do not forget my teaching,    but let your heart keep my commandments,2 for length of days and years of life    and peace they will add to you.3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;    bind them around your neck;    write them on the tablet of your heart.4 So you will find favor and good success    in the sight of God and man.5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,    and do not lean on your own understanding.6 In all your ways acknowledge him,    and he will make straight your paths.7 Be not wise in your own eyes;    fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.8 It will be healing to your flesh    and refreshment to your bones.9 Honor the Lord with your wealth    and with the firstfruits of all your produce;10 then your barns will be filled with plenty,    and your vats will be bursting with wine.11 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline    or be weary of his reproof,12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,    as a father the son in whom he delights.13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,    and the one who gets understanding,14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver    and her profit better than gold.15 She is more precious than jewels,    and nothing you desire can compare with her.16 Long life is in her right hand;    in her left hand are riches and honor.17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,    and all her paths are peace.18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;    those who hold her fast are called blessed.19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;    by understanding he established the heavens;20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open,    and the clouds drop down the dew.21 My son, do not lose sight of these—    keep sound wisdom and discretion,22 and they will be life for your soul    and adornment for your neck.23 Then you will walk on your way securely,    and your foot will not stumble.24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid;    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror    or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,26 for the Lord will be your confidence    and will keep your foot from being caught.27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,    when it is in your power to do it.28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,    tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor,    who dwells trustingly beside you.30 Do not contend with a man for no reason,    when he has done you no harm.31 Do not envy a man of violence    and do not choose any of his ways,32 for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord,    but the upright are in his confidence.33 The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked,    but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.34 Toward the scorners he is scornful,    but to the humble he gives favor.35 The wise will inherit honor,    but fools get disgrace. 

This week's episode is mostly diving into the deception of worldly love and how this has begun to infiltrate the church. Chelsey also shares at the end of the episode about who the "Godless" are and who the "Lost" is. People often blend these two sets of people together when in fact, they are different.  Deception of Worldly Love: People twist the meaning behind Jesus's words in Matthew 22:39, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”These same people also fail to read past Matthew 7:1. If they read the verses to follow they would see that they are told they will be held to the same standard they hold others too. "Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you."Many get caught up in believe that "love" is something that can at times withhold truth. The love of God never sidesteps truth. Matthew 8:11 we see the example of Jesus telling the adulterous woman that He didn’t condemn her, but to sin no more. In Mark 2:17 we Jesus openly share that He came for those He was sitting with; which are the sinners.John also tells us in 2 John 1:6 what is means to LOVE like Jesus called us to. 2 John 1:6 what this “love” is to look like that Jesus commands of us in Matthew 22:39. “And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.”The Godless: (link here for biblical definition) "The principal idea lying at the root of the word is that of pollution and profanity; a condition of not merely being without God but assuming an attitude of open and blatant opposition toward God. The godless man is not merely the atheistic, unbelieving or even irreligious, but the openly impious, wicked and profane man. Indeed it can hardly be rightly claimed that the idea of hypocrisy is involved in the meaning of the word, for the "godless" man is not the one who professes one thing and lives another, but the one who openly avows not only his disbelief in, but his open opposition to, God. Doubtless the idea of pollution and defilement is also to be included in the definition of this word; see Jeremiah 3:9; Numbers 35:33; Daniel 11:31." -BibleStudyTools.comScriptures: Isaiah 9:17; 10:6; Psalms 35:16The Lost: (link here for full reading)"Isaiah 53:6 says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way, and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” The Bible compares human beings to sheep (Psalm 23; John 10:11–14) because sheep are, by nature, defenseless. They are not overly bright and tend to follow a leader, regardless of where that leader is taking them. Sheep need a shepherd to survive. A shepherd protects them from attacks, guides them to good grazing, and keeps watch so that none are lost. Sheep tend to wander from the herd and can become easy targets for predators. In a spiritual sense, people are prone to wander and become easy targets for our enemy, Satan. Without Jesus, our Good Shepherd, we are spiritually lost and unable to find God on our own.Jesus told a parable about a lost lamb to explain the Father’s heart for lost people (Luke 15:3–7). The Good Shepherd was willing to leave the ninety-nine sheep in the fold to go in search of the one lost lamb. The lamb would never have found the Shepherd on its own. This parable demonstrates God’s tender concern for every individual. He stops at nothing to find those who need Him and bring them safely into His presence. Just as lost sheep cannot find the Shepherd on their own, lost people cannot find God on their own (Psalm 53:2–3; Romans 3:11)."                            -GotQuestions.org

In today's episode, Chelsey shares about leading those God has entrusted to us well, loving them by not dismissing truth, and running into 2021 with boldness for the Kingdom. Habakkuk 1:5-115 “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. 6 For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, who march through the breadth of the earth,  to seize dwellings not their own. 7 They are dreaded and fearsome; their justice and dignity go forth from themselves. 8 Their horses are swifter than leopards, more fierce than the evening wolves;  their horsemen press proudly on. Their horsemen come from afar;  they fly like an eagle swift to devour. 9 They all come for violence,all their faces forward. They gather captives like sand. 10 At kings they scoff, and at rulers they laugh.They laugh at every fortress, for they pile up earth and take it. 11 Then they sweep by like the wind and go on guilty men, whose own might is their god!”1 Timothy 6:20Guard the deposit entrusted to youMatthew 28:19-2019 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”1 Corinthians 15:58Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. Sola Sisters: join us as we read the whole Bible chronologically study in 2021 Follow on IG @SolaSistersCo AND/OR join the FB group!

This week's short episode, "They Went With Haste", is diving into the Shepherd's story from Luke 2:8-19. Chelsey shares about their desire to seek the promise of what God told them they would find without any hesitation. She shares that we too, are called to seek the Lord in the very same way, with haste. Haste to seek Him above all things and to share His truth to the ends of the earth. Luke 2:8-19And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.Psalm 119:2Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, Ephesians 5:15-17 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Matthew 28: 16-2016 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 5:13-1613 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. 

This week Chelsey dives deeper into the attributes of those who deceive, those who are deceived, and those who are working on behalf of the Kingdom. We see that God plainly and boldly has in His Word what all of this looks like and by His grace, what we in Christ are called to do in the midst of watching deception take place.  Worker Approved by God: 2 Timothy 2:14-2614 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. 19 But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” 20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. 22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. Those Under Deception: 2 Timothy 3:1-91 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men. What Believers Are Commanded: 2 Timothy 4:1-5I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. Attributes of Deceivers: 2 Peter 2But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; 5 if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7 and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked 8 (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); 9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones, 11 whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord. 12 But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, 13 suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. 14 They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! 15 Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, 16 but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness. 17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. 18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”

Today's episode is short but intense, Chelsey is filled with passion from start to finish. Her heart has been unsettled watching the deception taking place in the world and within believers. She dives into the battle being waged against us in Ephesians 6, why we need to implore believers to seek God's word about the truth of what takes place in the unseen heavenly realms, and what we are commissioned to do in 2 Corinthians 4.  Ephesians 6:11-1211 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 2 Corinthians 4:1-6Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

In this week's (re-air) episode we're diving into why we must hold fast to God's truths and diving into truths that we must hold fast too. 2 Chron 20:17 - You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”Psalm 23:4 - Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.Isaiah 41: 13-14 -For I, the Lord your God,  hold your right hand;it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord;  your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.Isaiah 41:17-18 - and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water,and the dry land springs of water.Isaiah 41:20 - that they may see and know, may consider and understand together, that the hand of the LORD has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it.Jeremiah 1:10 - See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”Romans 17:15-25 - For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.2 Corin 5:20 -Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.Galatians 5:17-18 - For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.Galatians 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.Ephesians 5: 15-17 - Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.Ephesians 6:11-18 - Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,1 Thess 5:5-28 - For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.Do not quench the Spirit.Do not despise prophecies,but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. Brothers, pray for us.Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.I pray you find 1 of these 13 scriptures as encouragement and an equipping in your heart to hold fast to the goodness and the truth of God. 

This week Chelsey sits down to wrap up the final episode of the Proverbs 31 Woman Series with Scotti Beth Lawson. Scotti Beth shares with us that the Proverbs 31 woman was not placed in God's Word only for wives and moms, but for all created by Him. She reminds us to approach this portion of scripture with no preconceived notions. Lastly, through the Proverbs 31 woman, we see a woman who honored God wherever He placed her and it flowed out in all facets of her life.  A woman of noble character:She led with integrity rooted in Christ.She was filled with a servants heart.She was always willing when God called her.Obedient in all the ways she could serve the Lord. We should desire to be women of noble character - rooted in Christ alone! Approaching this portion of scripture:Hand over any preconceived notions to the Lord.Ask for fresh eyes and clear ears.Remember the Bible from beginning to end is about the Lord.The Proverbs 31 woman was a common woman who loved God.Ask the Lord - what can I learn about you in this portion of scripture, rather than approaching the word for what "you" can get. Speaking life into the next generation:Watch their screen time - set boundaries - be bold and brave in your conversations with them!Encourage their dads to love and lead them the way the Lord commands. Encourage them to have a relationship with Christ over anything else.  Connect with Scotti Beth:Instagram - @scottibethlawson Blog - www.SimplyScottiBeth.com  Advent Devotional : Good News, Great Joy - 25 Advent Devotions to Steady Your Heart in the Joy We Have in Christ.:Sign up at www.ChelseyDeMatteis.comYou will receive your 25 day devotional in your inbox on November 30th. Blessing Box Giveaway:Enter every Wed. on the @livingwithlesspodcast Instagram pageWinner will be selected on Christmas morning! Donors: Love One International - Hopefuel - Daughter of Delight - Buhbay - Hebrews Coffee NC

This week is the 100th episode of the Living With Less Podcast! Chelsey sits down this week to share her heart with you on what God's Word says about distractions, shepherding, and His promises. Distractions: Nehemiah 6: 1-9 Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. 3 And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” 4 And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. 5 In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. 7 And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.” 8 Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” 9 For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands. Shepherding: 1 Peter 5:2-11 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.1 Peter 4:12 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. God's Promise:"...Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." (1 Peter 5:10)

Week 3 of the Proverbs 31 Woman Series is a sit down with Michelle Myers founder of “she works His way”. Michelle shares with us in this episode that the Proverbs 31 woman is the standard of a Godly woman and who He has called all of us to be. She is not a “check list”, she is a character list. She points us to the truth that we are never off duty for The Lord. We are always called to obey Him in whatever way He calls us. This episode will encourage and equip you as you learn more about the heart of God through this woman. The heart of the Proverbs 31 Woman Proverbs 31 isn’t a check list. It’s a character list.The Proverbs 31 Woman is the standard of woman God has called us to be.Charm is not genuine. Charm can be turned on and off. How do we smile at the future and be disciplined in our faith?My future is in heaven because of what Jesus did on the cross and my belief in Him.Our disciple is out of God’s love and favor.In Christ we have everything that we need.The Proverbs 31 woman is willing to obey in whatever God asks.We are never off duty for The Lord. Unpacking Proverbs 31:15-16Women were not put in our path to be inferior or superior. When God puts them in our path we need to ask - how can I serve her, how can I help her, and how can we do more for the kingdom together.God does not need you to increase to make Him increase. This is not a dual increase equation. Connect with Michelle:@michellelmyers@sheworkshiswaywww.sheworkshisway.com

This week Chelsey shares about God's command for us to seek Him for all understanding. As culture seems to be driven more and more by people's feelings and emotions, Chelsey shares that we are called to continually seek The Lord for direction. We see that as we seek understanding from The Lord and desire to know His heart more deeply we won't so easily be tripped up by our feelings and emotions. And, we'll be able to love and serve others the way Christ calls us - through His grace and mercy. What happens when we don't seek for understanding from The Lord?:Hearts become depleted and overly emotional.Lives become ran by feelings.Decisions are made based off of what the flesh desires.Psalm 119:1-8,  Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! 2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, 3 who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! 4 You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. 5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! 6 Then I shall not be put to shame,having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. 8 I will keep your statutes;  do not utterly forsake me! As we seek understanding in Christ pulls us away from the world, the lies of the enemy, and desires of the flesh.:As we lean into The Lord we will be drawn closer to Him and His truth.Psalm 119:29-32, 29 Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law! 30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. 31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame! 32 I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! As we seek understanding from The Lord, He will always lead us in His truth.:The Lord will always lead us in truth and the Holy Spirit points us in the direction of clarity.James 4:7-8, 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. The Dawning of Indestructible JoyBy John PiperAdvent Devotional

Week 2 of the Proverbs 31 Woman Series is a sit down with Katy McCown. Katy reminds us in this episode that we can't skip over parts of God's word that we don't feel relates to our realities, The Word isn't bound by time. She points us to the truth that the Proverbs 31 woman is a woman we must learn from, that's why God has her in His word. Lastly, Katy shows us in this portion of scripture that the Proverbs 31 woman's hearts position, preparation, and pursuit were all deeply tethered to The Lord. I originally thought of the Proverbs 31 as an unreachable standard. Then as The Lord convicted my heart I realized this is not at all what this portion of scripture is all about.We see that she is actually so relatable. She has pressures, she has plans, and she has people just like we all do.She is not a perfect person. There has only been one perfect person to walk this earth and that is Jesus Christ.She is not the standard to reach for. Jesus is the standard to reach for.The Bible is not bound by time. The Lord placed the Proverbs 31 Woman in His Word - we cannot skip over her. I started approaching the P31 woman with a lens of the heart behind the action and the motives behind the motions.Jesus did not die on the cross so we could try and be good enough.We can mimic her hearts position, her hearts preparation, and her hearts pursuit.She exchanges her fear of the future for  fear of The Lord.We so often want to start with pursuit and then throw in preparation and position along the way.Proverbs 31:10 - An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. Connect with Katy:https://katymccown.comhttp://shelaughsconference.comInstagram - @katymccown 

This week I sit down with Katie Walters to kick off the Proverbs 31 Woman series! She is a pastors wife, Founder of the non-profit Francis and Benedict, and mom to six (#7 on the way). She begins this series with a message that points us to the heart of our Heavenly Father and the truth that the life of the Proverbs 31 Woman is what we can look to for who a Godly woman is. Katie reminds us that we wont be able to do every thing listed in the 31 verses each day but that The Lord calls us to live a life fully surrender to His plans, just like this woman exemplifies. Scripture: Proverbs 31:11-12 The heart of her husband trusts in her,and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.Proverbs 31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.Proverbs 3:15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.Notes:Ruby is the strongest gem stone and God uses this to describe a woman who lives for Him. Finding a  woman of noble character is very difficult to find in culture.God calls women in Christ to be noble and strong in Him.We as women continue to hold our low points up to other’s high points.As a woman we must learn to be kind and gracious to ourselves.We need to look to the Proverbs 31 woman  as the aim of a life of someone who loves The Lord with all her heart and lives fully surrendered to Him.Sometimes the best yes is not doing the thing that needs to be done and spending time where God desires you to be.One of the hardest things to surrender to God is our future.We need to live with less of culture telling women who they are and what makes them roar. We need to go to The Lord for that.  We also need to live with more grace and humility that comes from The Lord.We must always remember God uses the small things. Connect with Katie:Instagram: @katiewaltersFrancis and Benedict : francisandbenedict.comFrancis and Benedict Instagram: @francisandbenedict

This week I sit down with Pam Lozano to talk about Raising Godly Women in a World that Teaches Otherwise. Pam is not only a girl mom but has served as a youth pastor with her husband for 23 years. Her wisdom and desire to lead girls to walking in purity in every facet of life is so needed and such a blessing to hear. You will leave this conversation feeling encouraged to parent your girls from a place of full reliance on The Lord, equipped with resources to walk them through God's truth, and met by another mom who has walked the road before you.  1) Tell us about you!-My name is Pam Lozano. I am passionate about mentoring and empowering next generation women with truth. Truth that God created them uniquely and adores them just the way they are. That He has a specific purpose and plan for their lives and if they pursue that plan, they will be fulfilled in ways they cannot imagine!  I am a mom of three grown children - a 23 year old daughter, Caeilen and two sons - Judah is 19 and Markus is 13. I love writing, leading worship, decorating, taking long walks and enjoying a Starbucks peppermint hot chocolate over a long chat with a friend.   2)  I loved getting to sit down with my friend Shanda Fulbright to talk about raising Godly men in a world that teaches otherwise and now I’m just as excited to sit down and talk with you about raising Godly women in a world that teaches otherwise. So I first wanted to start with this: the world deems masculinity in men as a bad thing and then in the very same breath they deem femininity in women as weak. We see secular feminism which is built on earthly strength, hardened independence, and a  “trailblazer” attitude. This is sweeping young women off their feet and into a life that doesn’t fit God’s desires.    As a mom of girls how have you trained up your daughters to know what God says about them regardless of what culture teaches? What negative effects have you seen happen to our women through this culture? -Caeilen is now 23 and grew up with us in youth ministry throughout her teen years. I tried to always instill that what God says about her trumps everything culture teaches. That His word is truth and the only thing we can anchor our hearts and emotions to. That no matter who said what - she is unconditionally loved by God for who she is - HIS daughter. And that she doesn't have to do anything to earn God's love. There are so many negative effects from what culture teaches our daughters. Culture portrays beauty as stick-thin, air-brushed models of perfection. Anything less is unacceptable and less than. This generation of women compares themselves to the women on the covers of Cosmo or Teen Vogue, forgetting that these altered images aren't truth. These photographs are photoshopped, cropped and filtered to create an unrealistic image to be idolized and sought after. This results however, in demoralized women who hate themselves and their bodies because perfection cannot be achieved. They often then fall into self-destructive behaviors when they realize they can never attain this level of beauty.   3) I love your ministry Pure Design. I’d love to unpack that a little bit. How do you share purity with your girls? What have those conversations looked like over the years.   -Pure Design exists to empower girls with truth and authenticity. Three main areas of impact are self-image, self-worth and pure beauty.Purity is a big piece of what we talk about with young women, but it isn't the main focus.Desiring to walk in purity comes from a place of first loving God.When we love God, we want to please Him. But secondly, it comes from a place of VALUING ourselves and SEEING OURSELVES as God's treasured daughters - so deeply loved and valued by Him that we KNOW what we are worth.When we know our worth, we take pride in ourselves and THAT keeps us desiring to please and honor God.-I go more in depth in this in my new devotional - Purity's Still in Style - there's an entire week on sexual purity - but there's 2 pages called Why Wait that I believe gives a great Biblical overview and perspective.My message / conversation has changed over the years... I've really moved away from any type of Do's and Don't's list or any fear tactics.The BEST motivating factor is love - when we love God, we want to obey and please Him.   4) How have you and your husband tackled hard issues/conversations together in regards to leading your daughter and pointing her to living out what God desires for her life? Well let me say, we haven't always done it right. We made our fair share of mistakes in conversations...In fact, my biggest mistakes were made when I parented out of fear - being afraid she might mess up or make a mistake... rather than trusting and empowering her to make right choices. There's a different underlying factor - and as believers we are called to parent and lead from a place of faith.-It hasn't always been easy... we've walked through some difficult seasons with Caeilen. But the key word is WITH. We stuck by her side and loved her no matter what. There were times when we didn't see eye to eye when it came to boys, but we talked it through, sometimes more than talked... but we stayed committed to the relationship and God has really seen us through... We always strived to keep communication open between us. We were involved in her life and asked a lot of questions - probably more than she ever liked. And today we have a great relationship, one where she includes us and asks our opinion on things way more than she did in the past. We love working together and growing and developing Pure Design Ministries & Magazine as a team.   5) I know you and your husband have done youth ministry for years. I know there is a mom listening to this episode who has kids in the “youth group” age. What is the best wisdom you’d share with them in regards to   pointing them to Jesus? (Devotionals/one on one time/less busy schedule)-Yes, Jake and I have been Youth & Young Adult Pastors for 23 years.Best wisdom - is get your kids to church... YES, MAKE them go!I hear so often parents say - I don't want to make them go to Youth Group if they don't want to - yet in every other area of life we "make them" do things they don't want to... We make them go to the doctor, we make them go to the dentist, we make them eat their vegetables... why in the world then wouldn't we MAKE them do something that we know is spiritually good for them. I know there are many reasons teens don't want to go - they don’t know anyone, the music isn't their style, they don't love the Youth Pastor, but let me ask you this - if you think your kid MIGHT have a chance to encounter God and have a chance to grow spiritually - don't you think it's worth encouraging them to get over themselves and just go!?My husband challenged a young man over 20 years ago to get back into youth group and really TRY - and within months, this teen was the strongest leader, who would pray, preach and lead the group in ways we couldn't have imagined. It all came from a challenge to get over the uncomfortable and simply say yes and show up. To this day, this man is a strong Christian leader.   6) Something that I’ve seen play out over time in our culture is the attack on how God created a woman. I think of what God’s word says about His daughters. He uses them in mighty ways yet talks about them with a sense delicacy. The world wants to create harsh women, but God created women to be - skillful, tender, refined, delicate, loved, wise, discerning, trustworthy, honorable just to name a few from scripture. We don’t want harsh women, we want Godly women. I don’t want to be known as Chelsey - the harsh one. I want to be known as Chelsey - the woman that loved the Lord. -As a mom how have you tackled this? How have you taught your girls to seek these things above the things of this world? We talk a lot about this very topic in our brand new issue of Pure Design Magazine - Fierce Femininity. I truly believe just like a coin - there are two very powerful sides to every woman. I think God did create us to be fierce and powerful. If you are a mom - you know creating a life inside of you, growing that life, nurturing it and then bringing that child into the world - takes some grit and determination and fierceness. God desires kingdom minded women who are powerful, resourceful, skillful and able to do what He has gifted them to do from a place of securely knowing they are His daughters. You see as Daughters of the King - we have the rights and authority of God's kingdom. Just as a princess or queen would on the earth.-But, that doesn't mean we have to "lord it over men"... he did create us to reflect his beauty, grace, tenderness and  so many other amazing traits that are usually found in the beautiful gift of femininity. You see in Genesis - God called Adam AND Eve to have dominion over the earth - as equal partners. So we don't have to fight for position or importance. It was granted to us in the garden. We simply have to be secure in knowing who we are.7) The Living With Less podcast was birthed from John 3:30, He must increase, I must decrease. If someone asked you what they needed to begin living with less of in regards to what gets in the way of Him what would you tell them and why?Honestly, I believe this answer is the same and yet different for every single person. Firstly, we must live with less of ANYTHING that gets in the way of our relationship with God. The greatest command is to love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, soul, mind and strength.Anything else is less than ALL... So anything that creates a barrier from our relationship with God has to go - whether that's food, money, relationships, alcohol, whatever... we have to let go, so God gets more.But the items or issues for each one of us are very different depending on our history, our weaknesses and our tendencies. So it really takes listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit and walking in obedience every single day. Connect with Pam here! Pam Lozano is the Founder & President of Pure Design Ministries & Magazine. She is a speaker of topics on faith, self-image, self-worth and purity. Pam has been a Youth & Young Adult Pastor for over twenty years. She is passionate about mentoring young women to identify and pursue their dreams and to live whole-heartedly for Christ.  Pam has written two devotionals for teen and young adult women on self-image and purity. Pam leads Pure Design with her daughter Caeilen, who oversees social media and is the Fashion & Style Editor of Pure Design Magazine. You can find more information about or follow Pure Design at:Website: www.puredesigngirl.com-Instagram: @PureDesignGirl-Facebook: @Pure DesignGirl-Twitter @PureDesignTeen- For moms of teen daughters: Private FB Group – Pure Design Mom2Mom

This week I sit down with Shanda Fulbright as we dive into the topic of Raising Godly Men in A World That Teaches Otherwise. Shanda shares about how she and her husband navigate conversations with their sons from a biblical perspective. She points us to why we must teach our boys to be men of God because someone else will teach them otherwise. She reminds us to teach our boys what The Word says about what He calls them to: to lead, protect, and grow in their relationship with Him (to name a few.)*Next week I will be sitting down with Pam Lozano to talk about Raising Godly Women in a World That Teaches Otherwise.*1) Tell us about you!I am happily married to my husband o 19 years and together we have 3 boys: 17, 15, and 10. We live in the Central Valley in Ca. I am an ordained minster with the COG as well as a credentialed teacher. I felt the Lord leading me out of the church and into a new way of ministering and I started blogging 2 years ago. Last year I started a podcast called Her Faith Inspires where I really combat cultural Christianity with the Word of God. I currently teach online Bible studies and am hosting my first “How to study the Bible like a scholar class” which I anticipate being a repeat. 2) As a mom of boys - lets start with this - how have you seen culture attack our young boys, who become young men, who become grown men. What scriptures do you use to combat these lies from culture. This is a great question because I just heard this week that the American Psychology Association came out with an article that says that masculinity is harmful. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing so I went and read the article and sure enough, they are teaching psychologists how to treat men to suppress their masculinity. Feminism is another movement that has demoralized and put down men with the sole purpose of elevating women. We are currently hearing the message that the roles of men and women are interchangeable. We hear the message from Disney that girls are independent and strong and don’t need a man. It’s all about girl power, and while that message in isolation may not be a bad thing, it is always congruent with the message that boys have to suppress their masculinity. Our culture doesn’t celebrate manly traits. It’s clear in God’s word that God made a distinction in the male and female creation and I always go back to Genesis 1-3 with this argument, although it is in the new testament as well. I wrote a study called Reflections of Eve and I explain in depth the male and female roles. God gave the man specific jobs and duties and when the man fell short of this, God came looking for him to give an answer. God will never reverse or the mix the roles of the male and female. Society and culture may try but it won’t work because this is outside of God’s design. 3) I loved the episode you did with your husband about the attack on men (episode 25). How do you and your husband lead your boys in biblical truth?This is one I am big on as a parent. My first job is to teach inside my home. I will not gain the world and lose the opportunity to pour into the souls of my boys. With that said, we have devotionals and talk to them about God all of the time. I am currently teaching them apologetics curriculum because they go to a public school and are BOMBARDED with ideologies that conflict with biblical truth.I have taught them creeds by Voddie Bauchum to defend biblical truth and the scripture that goes with it. It is imperative that our kids know what they believe and why because I tell my boys all the time that faith is often tested … it’s truth and the quest for truth that stands. When one of my boys admits that they are struggling or doubting, I don’t fret. Truth sets us free and I know that’s what they want. Only God can reveal it to them, but I make sure they get it. I also encourage my older two to read their own bibles because they need to develop this disciple and relationship with the Lord on their own. There aren’t too many bible studies that are deep in spiritual truth so I just teach them from my own bible and we talk often about how to contend for the faith. 4) Tell everyone about your #boymom bible study! How has being a mom of boys grown your faith? What things have you learned about the heart of God that you wouldn’t otherwise?I wrote #Boymom because the Bible is full of them. Every man in the Bible has a mother who influenced their relationships with God and the call God plead on their lives. So, I took 8 moms in the Bible, even ones who made hellacious mistakes because we all do and we can learn from them, and I wrote this study for all of the boy moms like me who are running alongside our boys and cheering them on even when the world does not. I wanted girls. I cried when I found out I was having boy #1 and then boy #2. But God showed me several things:  He knows what we need more than we do.  He has called me to be an advocate for good men. I will not allow the world to brand my boys before they have a chance to become men. The call of a son is entangled in his mother. What I mean by that is Sampson’s mom had to commit to the Nazirite vow while he was in her womb. She had to make the commitment follow the Lord before her son ever did. Our call as a mother is so important and it is the highest call we will ever have. The corporate ladder, education or anything else pales in comparison to the impact a mother makes in the lives of her children. What I’ve learned about God:  He loves my boys more than I do.  He teaches me through them. When I see their hurts, their joys, their fears, I realize through glimpse  the relationship the Father has with me. 5) Something I see often is this attack on men to suppress the gifts God has given them.  As you train up your boys are there specific things you talk with them about in regards to what God calls them to be as follower of Christ?From the time my boys were very little I told them they are men of God. They will choose an occupation, become a husband and fathers one day, but first and foremost they are men of God. I tell them the kinds of things I pray of them: that they will grow in wisdom, stature and favor with God and man. I tell them they don’t have to have it all figured out because God knows the path they should take and will guide them. I tell them all the time that they need to have their own relationship with God and they have to come to the knowledge of the truth on their own. I tell them what I see they can be in Christ when they’re defeated. I remind them of God’s truth when they get fearful because this world bogs them down too. I speak truth into them all the time and teach them to call on the Lord with their own heart and mouth. 6) Something my husband and I often talk about is the lack of responsibility the current americanized christian movement has led men into. They don’t have much in the way of accountability to lead their families, share what God’s doing, and speak up on behalf of the gospel. I don’t believe its because they are weak - I believe its because they’ve not been taught. Can you share with those tuning in what God does command of our men and that it is different than what He commands of women women.God gave Adam the responsibility to tend and keep his home. To keep means to guard in Hebrew. Men are the watchmen of their homes. When I wrote #Boymom, I realized that God has asked men to do hard things. Paul wrote the chain of command in the word: God, Christ, husband, wife. The man will answer to God for the way he leads his family and home. As women, we must also remember that the husband is the only one in the relationship commanded by God to love his wife like Christ loves the church and to give himself up for her. That is the highest example of love we have. So, as a mother, I have to teach my boys their responsibility according to God’s word, AND allow him to do this when the time comes. That is also the call of a #Boymom … to let him leave me and cling to her. 7) The podcast was birthed from John 3:30, “He must increase, I must decrease”. If someone asked you what they needed to begin living with less of in regards to this what would you tell them and why? I would say more of Jesus means less of the world. We are bombarded with ideologies and information and it can bog us down and we carry these things around like baggage. The truth of God’s word sets us free and when we fill up on Him, those things fall away. As Christians, we must learn to read, pray and study the word of God. We must cling to it and fill out minds with it. More of Him means less of the world and that is the best way to live. 8) What is one of your fav bible verses and why!1 Cor 9:27 partly because I do crossfit and partly because I teach the word. “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should, So that after preaching to others, I myself may not be disqualified."

This week I sit down with my friend and host of the Home and Hearth podcast, Rebekah Hargraves to talk about the lies moms believe and how the gospel refutes them. Rebekah shares about how the Word is what equips us for the work God has called us to, how the enemy always uses extremes, and why we must always turn to The Lord before answers from the world. Rebekah is also the author of 4 books. Lies Moms Believe, Lies Moms Believe companion Bible Study, Advent Devotional, and co-authored Walking by The Spirit.  1) Tell us about you!!My name is Rebekah Hargraves, and I have been married to my husband, Owen, for 6 years. We live just outside Chattanooga, TN and have two kiddos, Anna (5) and James (3). As for church, we attend Concord Baptist here in town, which describes itself as a "gospel-centered, gospel-shaped congregation", which I love. I'm a work-at-home mom, so I stay at home with my kids but also blog, do freelance writing, podcast, homeschool, and am the author of 4 books and coauthor of 1, soon to be 2, books. My first book was Lies Moms Believe (and how the Gospel Refutes Them), and the second was Lies Moms Believe: The Companion Bible Study. I then wrote an Advent devotional study for women in 2018, co-authored a book on walking by the Spirit that released this January, a Lent devotional study for women that released this spring, and I'm currently working on co-authoring a book on friendship that will release this fall.2) I’ve been looking so forward to this conversation because I am a momma who has definitely believed lies spoken to me from others or straight from the enemy himself. Can you share why and how this message became so important to you to share with other women?Absolutely! The funny thing is that this was not my original book idea. The original idea (which is one that I have in the works to go the traditional publishing route with, up to this point I have done all self-publishing) was on the topic of the mommy wars. But one day I had this "random" idea (that, looking back, was clearly God!) to write a little blog post addressing a few lies moms commonly believe and the gospel truth which refutes them. I had every intention of just writing about a handful of the lies I myself have dealt with, imagining that if I have battled them, surely other moms have, too. Well, instead, I had another "random" thought right before I sat down to work on that blog post - I had the idea of instead of just relying on my own thoughts and experiences, to instead take to IG and FB to ask fellow mamas what some of the most common lies were that they found themselves believing. That way the blog post could be as relevant and applicable as possible. I was only expecting maybe a handful of answers, but what ended up happening was that within the first 10 minutes of making that post, tons of responses came flooding in. At that moment I knew this area of lies we're believing as moms was a huge issue that did need to be addressed. At that point I thought I would then create a short little freebie ebook instead of a blog post, as the list of lies had now grown beyond what a blog post could handle. By the time all was said and done, however, and I had received all the input from various women on social media, I ended up with 32 lies to address and a full-length paperback book that is over 250 pages long! I never set out on my own to write this book and it was never my initial project or idea - it was all God! But I'm so grateful His plans were different and bigger than my own, because, honestly, the Lord has used this book and the process of writing it to change my own heart and life and to free me from lies I didn't even know I had been believing!3) 1 John 4:18 tells us - His perfect love drives out fear. For me, fear is a huge lie I’ve taken the bait from in motherhood. Fearful of the world my son will grow up in, fearful of something happening to him, or just little fears throughout the day that seem normal. How would you lovingly challenge someone like me, with God’s word to move past the fear and cling to God’s truth that He has everything under control. I can totally understand that! Especially after the insane year we have all been experiencing. From the moment my first child was born, I had fears set in about whether or not I was doing the best job possible, making the best choices, what life would hold for her, how I would protect her from the darkness in the world, etc. While sometimes those fears do again try to rise to the surface, there is something I have found to be incredibly helpful, and that is to know the character of God. That is so, so key for me. I have to know that not only is God in control and sovereign, but that He is also wise, kind, loving, tender, gracious, caring, concerned for our wellbeing, and compassionate. If I can remember all that, then I can remember that He allow absolutely nothing to touch me or my children that He will not ultimately use for our good and His glory. Furthermore, I do not believe it is a coincidence that it has been said that there are 365 verses in the Bible addressing the topic of fear - one for each day of the year! The Lord knew we would battle fear (fear comes from the enemy and is one of the biggest ways he tries to get at us and our faith), so He provided truth and encouragement in His Word for how we can battle it. Studying, meditating on, and memorizing the Word is so key. And, finally, one particular story in the Bible that always helps me battle fear is the story of Joseph, found in Genesis.4) What are some of the most common lies moms believe and why do you think they’ve become such a stumbling block in our lives?There are so many, but one interesting thing I have found is that many of them come in pairs of opposites - the enemy lies to us with extremes on both sides. For example, the lie that motherhood is a woman's highest calling is common, but so is the lie that motherhood is unimportant or worthless work. That lie can also be accompanied on the other side with the lies that we are to find our ultimate fulfillment and identity in being moms.But, beyond those, I would say that some of the most common are that mommy guilt is just something we have to live with, that we are bad moms, that our success as moms is tied to how our children turn out, and that theology isn't important for the daily work of mothering. All of these are tied directly to wrong understandings as to the truth and implications of the gospel. The enemy wants us to doubt Christ, so he will do anything he can to keep us from understanding and living out the gospel. And we have just fallen for it because we do not take the command to "take every thought captive" seriously.5) What have been the lies you’ve struggled with the most?One of the big ones I have struggled with the most is the lie that my children would be better off with a different mom (and close behind that being the lies that I'm a bad mom, mommy guilt will always be something I just have to deal with, and that I have to be a perfect mom).6) What has been the greatest blessing/teachable moment from being a mom and stepping out in faith to trust God and put the lies behind you?Two things instantly come to mind for me here. One is just the sheer freedom, joy, and lightness I feel now that I have intentionally chosen to take God at His Word and truly and fully believe - for me!- that I was never called to be a perfect mom, but rather to point my kids to the perfect Savior. That takes such a load off! I don't walk in guilt anymore. Sure, I am convicted, sure I apologize to my children and grieve that I have sinned in anger or what have you, but I am no longer buried under all that self-inflicted guilt and condemnation anymore, because I know the full truth of Romans 7 and 8. Which brings me to the second thing - a sweet story with my 3 year old at the time, my daughter, Anna.7) Is there a way you would steward someone to see what lies they are believing?One key thing here is to be a student of the Word. You won't know the lie, the counterfeit, until you know the truth, the real thing. Likewise, you can't take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ unless you know what the obedience of Christ is. I've done a Bible study 101 episode on my podcast for anyone interested in diving into that. But, beyond studying the Word in order to know truth for yourself, I would also say to pay attention to what your thought patterns are. Journal through that. Assess what it is that is filling your mind most often. When you are feeling down, anxious, depressed, stressed, or discouraged, take an assessment of your thoughts and intentionally stop to see what it is you really are thinking. Chances are, the thoughts leading to those negative feelings are lies you have been believing. Then take what you find to the Word and search for the truth that will combat those lies. Talk to your pastor if need be, use a concordance to find all the passages that speak to that topic, etc. 8) John 3:30, says  “He must increase and I must decrease.  If someone were to ask you what they needed to begin living with less of in regards to what gets in the way of The Lord in their life, what would you tell them and why?I would say live with less of the thoughts and opinions of man. Every human being is fallible, so every teacher, pastor, blogger, podcaster, social media influencer, commentary writer, parenting "expert", online guru, etc. is going to get it wrong at some point. You need to stop having google be your guide and start turning to the Word of God first and foremost as your ultimate guide. Sure, we can and should learn from our pastors, mentors, and others, but we have to know the Word of God first and foremost and follow it more than we do some self-proclaimed expert. 

1) Tell us about you!I am from Pennsylvania originally from Ohio. I moved to Pennsylvania after getting married to my husband Jon! We met on eHarmony and commuted for 2 hrs each way until we got married and lived together. I love helping women find freedom from their part and healing in their bodies. 2) I’ve been so eager to tackle this topic of doubt especially with you since you LOVE combating the lies with THE TRUTH! Doubt can look different for everyone BUT, I think we as Christians can all agree doubt begins to invade when we’re not fully trusting God. Even if we don’t mean too - it always goes back to that. When you’ve experienced doubt in your life - is there typically a commonality in each time you’ve walked through it? We can see doubt form, first within ourselves and our capabilities. Whether we don't think we are capable of love or being loved, whether we feel qualified or not. The list can go on. We first experience the doubt at a surface level within ourselves. As we begin to dig deeper we can then confront the issues of our hearts which could lead us to not receiving Christ's love fully, doubting in our hearts what God is capable of doing (especially when we depend on our senses to tell the Gospel), or trusting that He will come through. I will typically add myself to the equation where only Jesus is supposed to stand.3) These seasons of wrestling with questions or doubting where God has me have certainly taken me to deeper places and conversations with The Lord. What are some of the things you’ve learned about God and who He is as you’ve wrestled through these seasons as well? Learning to discern the voice of the Father I believe is so crucial. Many people equate the way their earthly relationships and situation to be equal to the Father and how He would respond. The Father's voice is not harsh, does not rush, is not condemning, nor does it cause us to question who we are. 4) This piggy backs on #3 - What places in scripture do you go to when you feel this creeping up? Whether it’s your own questions, doubting what God is doing in your life, or a full on attack from the enemy. Some of my favorites are the scriptures that remind me that when I do things in the Kingdom, God's way, I don't labor in vain. "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV "Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands." Psalm 90:17 NASB"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:19 NIVThis helps remind me it's not about the works as much as it is about my heart posture. God is the owner. We are the stewards. 5) I always think of Eve in the garden when I dig into this topic. Because, as fallen people, I feel satan begins his attacks with the “what if” questions. From these what if’s come doubting God’s goodness. What would you say to a someone sitting across from you if they told you they were dealing with the enemy attacking them with “what if” questions. To be true to myself, I would honestly ask a question back, "Who told you that you could XYZ?" They would insert their situation. Truth and lies is all about getting to the root of voice speaking. Our what if's can provide valuable feedback from all different angles but ultimately we have to decide if we are using excuses to not follow the call or if we are using these questions to take a closer look. With Eve, the question the serpent posed back was just slightly different than God's word.6) Your ministry is all about removing the lies from our lives and replacing them with the truth of God’s word. When you hear a woman doubting what God has for them because it seems to good to be true, to far off to ever happen, or they think someone else is better suited for the assignment how do you encourage them and equip them with the truth. Usually, it begins with what they are willing to confront. We can't renew what we are not aware of. With so many lies going around in our heads, the willingness to pick out one and focus on it to bring truth to it can be so critical in the healing journey. Since every situation is different I would begin to help them work through what they are experiencing, dig deeper into the lie to help them get to the root, so that you can move through it instead of it getting stuck within them. You are not broke and damaged goods. Some parts can be messy or unsued but God is a kind Father to show you how to begin using them again.  7) The Living With Less podcast was birthed from John 3:30, “He must increase, I must decrease.” If someone were to ask you what they needed begin living with less of in regards to these words spoken by John the Baptist what would you tell them and why?Less emotional reaction and more dependent on God's word. There are a lot of things I see and experience with my emotions. However, living by faith requires me to not deny my emotions but hold God's word above them.

Rise up & Build dives into the book of Nehemiah and looks at how well he sought, waited, moved, and discerned because of His deep relationship with The Lord. This book in the Bible teaches us what it means to wait on The Lord, trust His timing, discern distractions, and know our strength is rooted in Him alone.Join Chelsey this week as she shares how God is stirring her through Nehemiah's story and how we all in Christ must be diligent as we walk with Him.  Nehemiah's Diligence Nehemiah 2:11-13 I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on. By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. Nehemiah Shares The Call Nehemiah 2:17-18 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.King Jehoshaphat's Prayer - 2 Chronicles 20:12 - O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” Nehemiah Tells The People "Do not fear. Remember The Lord.."Nehemiah 4:14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” Nehemiah Confronts the DistractionsNehemiah 6:8-9 I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.”They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.” What is our call?Pray + Seek The LordWait on His timing Move when He commands!

This week Chelsey dives deeper into Psalm 73:28, "But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord my refuge, that I may tell of all your works." The Lord revealed to Chelsey that these 3 commands are choices we have to make. We have to choose to be near to The Lord. We have to choose to make Him our refuge, and we are called to tell the world of His works.The Lord made it clear to her that while He desires to be near her (He slways it), He desires to be her refuge, and He desires her to share of the amazing things He does...that it's her choice to be obedient in all 3 of these things. What does Psalm 73:26 Call us to Do?1. Be near to God! This doesn't change because of  circumstances, this should be a constant in all of our lives.2. Make The Lord our refuge - we need to stop turning to earthly things to fill this void and create a false safety net. 3. We are to tell of all His works. The Lord calls us to share the amazing things He does in our life (in His timing, not always right away) but to give examples to the world around us that The Lord is moving even in our days!How Do we Live This Truth Out?• Get in His word even when we don't feel like it. His word NEVER returns void (Isaiah 55:11). We grow nearer to The Lord by having a growing relationship with Him. • First we need to ask Him to reveal what things we turn to when we should be turning to Him. Repent of not turning to Him, receive His forgiveness and choose Him daily as your refuge!!• Share what God is doing in your life with someone! It can be family, a neighbor, a friend, your barista at Sbux, just SAHRE HIM and what He's doing in your life with anyone that will listen, it will always bless them! (Remember Isaiah 55:11).Q & A 1. How do you handle being friends with non-believers? ◦ Proverbs 17:17 - A friend loves at all times. - The Lord will call me into relationship with people who love Him and those who don't know Him. He calls me to love them and how them the hands and feet of Jesus. There are friendships I've had for years where they are not walking with Jesus but they fully respect my faith and what's important to me. ◦ Proverbs 11:14 - Where there is no guidance a peoples fall. - God calls us to walk in wisdom so if you're finding yourself feeling tempted within friendships who don't respect you, your faith, cause you to stumble due to their lack of guidance this is where we have to lean into the Holy Spirit and ask The Lord what to do with these friendships.2. What are you favorite stories in the Bible?◦ I love 2 Chronicles 20 - King Jehoshaphat's pleas with The Lord when He is facing something he doesn't know what to do with is such a testament to how we feel when we cry out to God in the same way. His words in vs. 12 are, "For we are powerless against this great horde coming against us, for we don't know what to do but our eyes are fixed on you. ◦ Habakkuk - this short book is a powerful one. It gives great perspective on God working in the midst of things we don't understand as well as us seeing we are able to go to God with all of our feelings and trust that He hears us. ◦ John 4 - The Woman at The Well - This was the first story in the Bible that opened my heart to fully accepting the truth that Jesus loves me regardless of what my past sin was. I am redeemed in Him and I'm filled with joy to speak of the redemption He's worked out in my life.  3. Do you think social media is a distraction or blessing? How do you balance screen time when you find yourself with lots of time on your hands?◦ I think it can be both a blessing and distraction. The Lord gave me Matthew 6:19-25 last year when working through discontentment. This is what I use to keep my social media time as a blessing. When it begins to cause me to feel tripped up by my emotions or falling into feeling of discontentment I know I need to take a break and get my heart back aligned in what God wants to use this for. ◦ For balancing screen time, I don't get this perfect but one thing that has worked is all apps on my phone are locked until 9AM. I also set a time limit for the day on IG at 40min a day. (this is the only form of SM I have). So setting limits and alarms are helpful! The Lord gave us boundaries for a reason so we certainly need them in all areas of our life.

This week Chelsey shares about God's command for us to seek Him for all understanding. As culture seems to be driven more and more by people's feelings and emotions, Chelsey shares that we are called to continually seek The Lord for direction. We see that as we seek understanding from The Lord and desire to know His heart more deeply we won't so easily be tripped up by our feelings and emotions. And, we'll be able to love and serve others the way Christ calls us - through His grace and mercy. What happens when we don't seek for understanding from The Lord?:Hearts become depleted and overly emotional.Lives become ran by feelings.Decisions are made based off of what the flesh desires.Psalm 119:1-8,  Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! 2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, 3 who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! 4 You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. 5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! 6 Then I shall not be put to shame,having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. 8 I will keep your statutes;  do not utterly forsake me! As we seek understanding in Christ pulls us away from the world, the lies of the enemy, and desires of the flesh.:As we lean into The Lord we will be drawn closer to Him and His truth.Psalm 119:29-32, 29 Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law! 30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. 31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame! 32 I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! As we seek understanding from The Lord, He will always lead us in His truth.:The Lord will always lead us in truth and the Holy Spirit points us in the direction of clarity.James 4:7-8, 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. The Dawning of Indestructible JoyBy John PiperAdvent Devotional His Immeasurably More Bible Study:Bible study kicks off this Sunday, September 6th!If you still need to register head to ChelseyDeMatteis.com and you'll find the registration on the homepage. Summer of Sisterhood Series Writers:Mandy Johnson - @mandycjohnsonElle Cardel - @daughterofdelightAlysha Miller - @themarriageproject & @alysha.millerKristen White - @kristen.whiteRebekah Hargraves - @rebekahhargravesKendra Schwarz - @kendraschwarzShanté Grossett - @herstyleofteaBailey DeHaven - @my.holistic.heartNichole Godsil - @nlgodsilRacahel Adams - @rachaeladamsauthor Thank you to all who have left a rating and review! It means the world to me to hear the way God has used this space in your walk with Him. Thank you for sharing your heart, it has blessed me. 

This week Chelsey dives into the call of Sharing The Truth after last week's episode was on knowing the truth. She unpacks 2 Timothy 2:1-13 and digs into what we are called to do as we share the truth that sets us free.  2 Timothy 2:1-132 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men,who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself. James 1:5-6 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. Sharing The Truth:Teach others the truth we've been entrusted with.Share in suffering.Do not get caught up in fleshly issues.Ask for understanding.Know the word is not bound but living and active.Endure all things for the sake of others coming to know Him.

This week Chelsey shares why we must know God's Word, stand firm in hardship, lean in when the Holy Spirit prompts, and be attentive to all the places God plants us.As followers of Christ we are seeing more and more people give into the comforts of complacency, fear of man, and the twisting of the Word of God. Today, we look at what Paul lays out for us in 2 Timothy 4:2-5 on the things that will happen in this world and what we are called to as Christians. 2 Timothy 4:2-52 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. What will people say that are misleading?"It says _____ in the Bible". Yet the cannot give you any scripture reference."God said _______." But, cannot tell you where or context of what their words mean,"I read ____ in the Bible and felt ____ so it means ____." They speak from their feelings and call it truth. They go by their feelings and NOT what God's Word says/means. The breakdown of 2 Timothy 4:5Keep your head in all situations - Christians are not exempt from conversations that happen in the world. We are called to engage and share. Vs 2. says to reprove, rebuke, exhort with patience and teaching.Endure Hardships - 2 Tim 3:12, all who desire to live a Godly life in Christ will be persecuted. Persecution is promised.  Now, what we see happening in cultural Christianity are people claiming to live for Christ, yet they sidestep the truths about Him that cause persecution. Do the work of an evangelist - keep sharing the good news and don't shy away from the conversations God places you in!Fulfill your ministry - Keep doing what God has called you to do. Allow Him to lead you, teach you, and sanctify you no matter what it looks like in a particular season. Hebrews 12:3, "Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." This reminds us of what Christ endured. We find our strength and endurance in Christ!  The Gate is Narrow - Matthew 7:13-1413 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.Seek Him - seek the narrow gate, the hard way that leads to life. His Immeasurably More Bible StudySign up at ChelseyDeMatteis.com Study kicks off September 6th!All details can be found on ChelseyDeMatteis.com homepage! THANK YOU DONORSThank you to everyone who has supported the ministry. It means more than you can imagine and is a tremendous blessing to the ministry. 

This week is diving deeper in last week's topic of conviction and  sanctification. Chelsey shares her heart on the truth that conviction is a gift from God. It's His heart pursuing us on display. She shares from Psalm 119:71-72 where it shares that affliction is good and causes us to lean into God's word, commands, and desires for our life. Psalm 119:71-72 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. 4 week online bible study His Immeasurably More info:Registration opens August 17th at ChelseyDeMatteis.comStudy kicks off the first Sunday of September All resources and links will be sent to your email each week!

This week on episode 85 Chelsey shares all the Lord has beed stirring in her. From the deep convictions being brought to light, reminder to be a doer of the word and not only a hearer, to His constant pursuit of her heart. The Lord continues to use this season that is so unlikely to peel back the layers of unseen things getting in the way of Him.  Stop Blaming and Start Changing:Once the sin is confronted - don't place blame where it doesn't belong. Turn your face to the Lord, repent, and allow Him to heal that place.Be a doer of the Word - James 1:22We should desire to walk in our convictions - this is a gift of grace from the Lord.When we are walking with The Lord, that is when we see life change inside our hearts.We have to stop saying "it's sin ...but...". Sin is sin. There is no way around it and it must be addressed.Hard seasons = Fruit Bearing:We have to ask ourselves - what is God birthing in me during the season He has me in?Some of the seasons God uses to unearth the worst of who we are, are where the most life-changing growth comes from.Scriptures:James 1:22, 25Ephesians 2:10Romans 8:28Psalm 91Psalm 92 September Online Bible Study:Registration opens August 17th on ChelseyDeMatteis.com

This weeks episode was birthed from Acts 4. In this chapter of the Bible it talks about the boldness we're called to have in our faith. The Lord took me back to a conversation I had four years ago with a friend that was without a doubt the boldness of the Holy Spirit. What God showed me in this is the difference between me desiring to be bold in my flesh and me being obediently bold with the spirit.Acts 4Acts 4:13-14, 21, 29, and 31Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.Holy BoldnessAt our point of history we all can agree we live in a time where we tend to be hesitant, timid, or fearful in regards to standing firm in our faith to the outside world. We get caught up in the fear that we will be misheard, labled judgmental, or a hypocrite. While all these feelings are certainly valid because of what we see day to day, Acts 4 gave me a new perspective and helped change my human way of thinking on the topic of boldness.When we're acting in the boldness of the Holy Spirit our demeanor isn't one of intimidation or trying to put your "opinion" on someone else. Boldness from the Holy Spirit is quite the opposite, it's approachable and truth filled. If you read this story in Acts you'll also see when the council saw the man who had been healed, they couldn't deny what had been done. This goes for us as well, when we show and share the things God has done for us, people cannot deny what we have experienced.Chelsey's Story4 years ago a friend and I were meeting for dinner and I He boldly put on my heart I was to talk to her about her relationship. I remeber being so concerned with how this would even come up, not to mention she's not walking with The Lord. I remeber packing my bible, getting to dinner early to pray, and just kept asking Him to open up the converstation because I didn't know how to. About a half hour into our meal it somehow came up and God blew my hair back.We talked about the relationship, we talked about all the things God wanted for her life, how special she was to Him, and why He wanted her to be treated with respect.I walked away from that dinner with my heart filled to the brim but I also walked away thinking how on earth did God do that! Well..4 years later He's answered. God centerned boldness.God Centered BoldnessAs I wrestled with this chapter of Acts I kept coming back to the place of seeing that our fleshy boldness is  NOT the boldness of God. When we act in the flesh things feel off, words feel pressured, and the person were talking with becomes unengaged. I know this because I've been on both sides. I've been the non-believer with someone making me feel uncomfortable while sharing their faith. I've also been the believer trying to have a conversation with someone that I felt needed to happen and things went nowhere.When our boldness is set in the things Christ is doing, it becomes filled with truth and love. It's captivating. It causes believers and nonbelievers to lean in to what His word says. His truth gives wandering souls a safe place to land.So, if God has asked you to share the gospel with someone, pray over someone, or just ask someone too lunch to be the hands and feet, trust that He will pave the way. He will make the conversation happen. You follow the call, He's got the plans.I pray this week's episode leaves you feeling encouraged to step out in Godly centered boldness as you pursue your kingdom work. Whether that be in your home with babies, at a corporate workplace, in ministry, or a mixture of these together if God is on the throne of it all that's the best place you can be.

This week Chelsey sits down with her friend Rebecca Dotson George to talk about having Courage in Christ. We dive into why God calls us to have courage, how it looks different from season to season, and why we must know God's word to understand His heart when we don't know what He's doing.Rebecca is a pastors wife, dog mama, podcast host of the Do The Thing Movement, and founder of 818 Ministries. She runs hard after Jesus, loves serving her people, and is always pointing people back to Him.1) Tell us about you!My name is Rebecca Dotson George and I'm a newly married pastor's wife! I live in Brookhaven, MS with my husband and almost 1-year old puppy Jasper. He pastors Easthaven Baptist Church where we're serving now together. I have a podcast + community called Do The Thing Movement where I bring a guest interview each week of someone chasing hard after their God-given calling. It's my greatest joy to cheer on my friends in pursuit of how God has asked them to uniquely serve and glorify Him. Lord willing, a book will be the next step in this journey! 2) You wrote a post for my blog this past summer and I loved every word of it. You talked about courage. This is a word we don’t hear enough about, especially when attached to being courageous in Christ. Can you share a little bit about what you felt the Lord teaching you when He placed “courage" on your heart.Courage: possessing the ability to do something brave.Where we miss it most often is we think we're stepping into this brave-ness by our own strength. That is a lie straight from the enemy! It's "doing the thing" scared, anxious and maybe fearful because we know the Holy Spirit is dwelling inside us and we're operating out of HIS strength and not our own. We were made a new creation the moment we trust in Christ.2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.1 Corinthians 3:16 - Do you not know that you[a] are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 3) I love that you shared being courageous in Christ as this, "It's a quiet confidence that I'm not doing this alone. As a follower of Jesus, the same power that raised Him from the grave on the third day lives inside of me. Therefore, I'm never alone, forgotten or forsaken.” I believe we live in the most encouraged generation to date. Every where we turn there is a person, a sign, or a trendy shirt that is tell you, YES YOU CAN. But, I’ve found in most people I encounter these words from people don’t really propel them forward and what’s missing is Jesus. How would you encourage a man or woman who is feeling exhausted by trying to do it all on their own, when you and I both know Jesus is one choice away?This is the person I feel called to speak into - the stay at home momma, the ministry leader, business owner, network marketing girl, all of it! We are fed lies around us each and every day that if we do more, get up earlier, drink more water, work out harder, put in a few more hours, etc. we will finally be "enough". I would put my hands on either side of their face and say, "Your worth and identity have absolutely nothing to do with your productivity level, a number on a scale or how many items you checked off your to-do list today. Has God called us to be good stewards of our time, our bodies, our finances, etc.? YES!Ephesians 2:10 - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.   4) Can you share a few of the BIG things that have happened that took leaning into Jesus as your source of courage and strength.-Marraige "Quote by Gary Thomas: "What if the primary goal of marriage is to make us holy and not happy?"Quote by Tim Keller: "Within this Christian vision of marriage, here's what it means to fall in love. It is to look at another person and get a glimpse of what God is creating, and to say, "I see who God is making you, and it excites me! I want to be part of that. I want to partner with you and God in the journey you are taking to his throne. And when we get there, I will look at your magnificence and say, 'I always knew you could be like this. I got glimpses of it on earth, but now look at you!”-Ministry: Acts 20:24 - However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.-Podcast : 1 Timothy 1:6-7 - For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.Fan into flame (in original language): to kindle afresh, inflame one's mind, strength, zeal, to stir upThe gift (in original language): a favour with which one receives without any merit of his own; grace or gifts distinguishing certain Christians and enabling them to serve the church of Christ, the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating on their souls by the Holy Spirit. 5) I love what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:9:10 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. This ties in so beautifully with John 3:30. He and John were certainly on the same page. We must decrease and The Lord must increase in our lives, in all areas. What is an area in your life that you’ve had to let die in order to see Christ increase in your life. I think this side of eternity, if we're honest, we all struggle with wanting to "please others". I think my personality type, Enneagram 3 wing 2, especially struggles with this. But God has called us to chase after that which glorifies Him! This is a process for me this side of eternity.Galatians 1:10 - For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. 6)  "Whatever the LORD pleases, He does. In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps." (Psalm 135:6) This passage takes a lot of trusting in the Lord and the way you’ve put it, courage is believe in what God has planned for you. When you’re in seasons of wonder/worry about your plans what do you do to get back into the place of trust what God has in store even when you can’t see it?I remember His promises. His character never changes. God's Word is living and active. When I find myself worrying or have an anxious heart, most times I've taken my eyes off of Him and onto my circumstances. I turn to Him in prayer as we're instructed to in Philippians 4:6.Philippians 4:6 -do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7) The living with less podcast is all about living with less of the things getting in the way of who Christ is calling us to be, if someone asked you what they needed to begin living with less of in regards to this what would you tell them and why?The expectations and thoughts of other people - it's crippling! Our aim and mission is to please God and bring Him glory! If we spent more of our time sold out to chasing after this, it would remove a lot of our wandering thoughts about others' opinions! 8) What has been the best part of moving to your new town!I think Brookhaven will always be special to us because it's where we started our marriage. We both live away from our family and many of our closest friends so it's brought us closer together. Mississippi is a part of the country I haven't explored a lot yet, but we're only an hour from Jackson and Natchez, Mississippi AND only 2 hours from New Orleans! Connect with Rebecca:https://www.dothethingmovement.com/@rebeccadotsongeorgeCourage blog post 

This week's episode Immeasurably More digs into a few truths from God's word that do a great work in our hearts when we allow the Word of God to have authority over us! You'll hear as Chelsey digs in that these 3 parts of scripture can often times be used out of context to fit an earthly agenda. These verses are ones that command and commission us to be doers of the Word, remove the things that get in the way of The Lord, and remember that we're ambassadors for Christ.  Ephesians 3:20 - Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within usThis verse can be easily taken out of context if you don't read the verses that surround it! 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us  21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.The immeasurably more is talking about the GLORY that God does in and through us. It's not about our things/stuff but what God does in us. What are the things that God has done in and through your life that is more than you could've imagines? 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 - Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.Verse 24 is one that hustle culture/self-help culture tries to attach itself to. They claim God will do what they desire for their own life, not what GOD desires for their lives.These two verses together show us that Paul was talking about the promise of sanctification through what God will call us to.Sanctification is a beautiful part of walking with The Lord. He loves us too much to leave us unchanged.James 1:22 - But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.We are called to be doers of the Word of God, not just a hearer. When we live by the Word of God we know that Jesus' dying for us was the only way our soul was saved. We cannot side step living out the truth of the gospel. We as followers of Christ must be doers - we must be different from the world. 19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. This week I pray you will spend time in prayer with The Lord with these parts of scripture. Seek His wisdom, His peace, and the good things He is doing in and through you. 

Tell us about you! (Where you’re from, family life, church, ministry, podcast)Bailey Stone is a Montana raised blogger, podcaster, speaker and soon to be certified Life Coach. She is the founder of This Illustrious Life and host of The Illustrious Podcast. Bailey aims to empower women in the pursuit of their God-given calling through personal development practices that boost confidence and clarity. Bailey loves baking, taking walks with her husband Kyle and nurturing an ever growing army of houseplants.2) I’ve been so eager to sit down and dig into confidence rooted in Christ with you. As women we’re living in a time where confidence is displayed more apart from Christ than with Him at the center. Can you share biblically speaking what true confidence looks like! I too have been so excited for this conversation because you are absolutely right! Whenever I prepare to make content on confidence I always hear that Demi Lovato song “what’s wrong with being confident” and while that’s a catchy tune it grieves me a little bit because when we place our confidence in ourselves we are setting ourselves up for disappointment, and heartache and ultimately the antithesis of confidence! Because the truth is we humans are fallible. We are created with amazing abilities but we all fall short of the glory, we all fail and we all make mistakes so if we are the sole source of our confidence, we’re bound to be let down...So with that in mind I want to dig into scripture a bit and explore what God’s design for confidence is. I few prominent figures always come to mind when I think about Biblical confidence like Ruth, Esther and Abigail but today I wanted to throw out some verses that your audience could explore and meditate on...First, I love Romans 8:37 which says, “You are more than a conqueror through Christ”. That word conqueror makes me feel so powerful like I am capable of crazy cool things BUT the caveat is those last two words “through Christ”. What this verse means to me is that I can do big, bold things but ultimately the source of my confidence is in my gifts and abilities is Christ.I also love the encouragement we are given in Hebrews 4:16 one of the only verses in the bible to use the word confidence. Hebrews 4:16 says this”Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need”.So not only can we be confident in ourselves but we can boldly approach our creator. What this means to me is that I don’t necessarily have to rely on my own gifts and talents and trust that God is hanging out in the sidelines. This means that when I am feeling insecure, when I am scared I can run to the source of my confidence and get a fresh injection of that confidence.So Romans 8:37 - I can have confidence in myself and my endeavors because of Christ.Hebrews 4:16 - I can boldly approach my God and the source of my confidence and a final verse I want to throw out, Joshua 1:9 which is a life verse for me.Joshua 1:9 says “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”Those three verses as well as stories from women in the Bible like the ones I mentioned above have really shaped my understanding of confidence. It’s boldness, it’s reliance on Christ and it’s courage.3) Something that many people get confused with when it comes to confidence (and I see many women doing this right now) is they think just because a dream is on their heart it means God will make it happen. They believe if a dream is on my heart then why wouldn’t He do it? How do you/would you walk a woman through this thought process of needing to be confident in the abilities/giftings God has given them BUT also understand that just because we “want” to do something with those gifts doesn’t mean He will do it. Because for some women if He doesn’t do it - then they allow that to weaken their confidence in Him.Again, you hit the nail on the head. It is SO easy to runaway with the beautiful dreams that God plants in our hearts and that’s an analogy that I like to use a lot. I like to think of God planting little seeds. When we start to see little seeds sprout we can get carried away and start overwatering or exposing our “seeds” to too much sunlight or buying fancy gardening gadgets and gizmos to make our little “seedlings” or dreams flourish. But God is the ultimate gardener and apart from his lead, again, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. For rot, decay, and sometimes death.When we place our confidence in God he is faithful to see our dreams through to fruition.4) I’d love to hear some of your story in this area of being a confident Godly woman. Did you have a season where you saw your confidence wasn’t rooted in Him or did you feel like you lacked confidence in Christ because of something not happening the way you desired.I have always been pretty naturally confident. From a young age I was pretty “large and in charge” which is funny because I’ve always been a tiny blonde thing. And I’ve had a really strong relationship with Lord from a young age too.I was that girl going to church at least 2-3 times a week and participating in all the summer camps, church events and volunteer opportunities.But it was around age 12 that I started to first feel a wane in my confidence and my faith. From ages 12-14 I became REALLY hyper aware of what other people thought and I started to drift farther and farther from my faith and actually found myself in a pretty dark time by the age of 17.I was crippled with anxiety, filled with a self loathing that expressed itself in gossip and anger and a bit of paranoia and I would have to say that that was the lowest point in my life so far. I was separated from God and I was so depleted of confidence.And I don’t think my story is super unique or surprising because A LOT of young girls start to experience a confidence shift at that age. Your body is changing, your social climate and skills are changing at break neck speed and suddenly, for a lot of us, the opinions of others start to feel a lot more important than God’s opinion.Fast forward a few years and I really got my confidence back after my freshman year of college. I’m not a confidence legend and I certainly don’t have the concept of confidence mastered but when I returned back to God full force and moved farther and farther away from what others thought of me (which is still a daily struggle) the more confident I got and the more clarity I received about my calling which is why I’m so passionate about confidence and clarity work today!5) I think Rahab is a beautiful example from the Bible of being confident in her God. (Joshua 2) Her story was one of much suffering, terrible life choices, but a mustard seed of faith. How can you and I + all other believers help steward women away from their suffering to true confident relationship with Christ?Such a great question. I’m a huge advocate of community over competition. As women I think we struggle with cheering each other on and supporting each other and in that kind of world it's hard to inspire confidence in one another. So the first thing I would say is support other women. When you see something that God has uniquely equipped a fellow sister in Christ to do, cheer her on! And how do we do that? We silently observe, listen and use our words sparingly. So to break that down, when you see a fellow sister is Christ doing something great encourage her! Let her know she’s rocking that mom life, let her know you see her crushing that side business she’s got going on our even just simply remind a friend that you appreciate her perspective. Encouragement doesn’t have to be big grand gestures or speeches, it’s often just a simple, unexpected word.Next, sisters, I know many of us love to chat! But, man, I haven’t met very many humans that genuinely love to listen. And it doesn’t necessarily build confidence to give unsolicited advice and lecture one another. What really inspires confidence is the feeling of being heard and having valid feelings. We all love that feeling of being able to pour out our heart and just be heard, right? Extending that feeling of “your worthy of being heard” can be a HUGE confidence boost!Finally, I want to throw out this idea that unsolicited advice can be a big confidence killer and I see this ALL the time in the church. We blow right past the two things I just mentioned, listening and encouraging and we rush right to scolding, blaming and shaming. There is a time and place for Christ like correction but I would caution anyone listening to check how often they are correcting versus listening and encouraging.6) You and I address on your podcast holy endurance over hustle culture. I think confidence fits right in with that. The hustle culture preaches the message of a selfish self confidence (in my opinion — you can disagree if you feel so and we can talk through that!). How do you blend the two of being bold in your calling but keeping your confidence rooted in Him. I actually couldn’t agree more. This is such a tricky tightrope to walk. Walking this tightrope, so to speak, requires a high degree of sensitivity. Sensitivity to what God is speaking, what He is up to and what His will is.We know that we can be confident in Christ, we know that we have each been given unique gifts, skills, talents, passions and burdens to fulfil our calling but we also know that apart from God we are susceptible to heartbreak, failure or wild success. Success that ultimately leads us astray from God.So my commission to anyone who wants to be bold in their calling with a confidence rooted in Christ is to be sensitive. Take time for stillness, silence and solitude. And again, these are things that I am not perfect at but I value because I know they lead to the source of both clear direction and confidence in my calling.Lately, for me, this has looked like being really slow to take action. I have to ask “God is this from you” and if it’s not I have to walk away and that’s been so hard because I’m a girl who like to hustle for her worth. So again, be sensitive, slow down, find some stillness (the opposite of hustle) and have confidence in your God to sift and sieve the assignments in your life that truly align with where you are being uniquely called in this season. This may sound like the opposite of boldness too but the more concentrated your energies are on the things that are aligned with God’s call the bolder and better you can be in those pursuits.7) If someone were to ask you what they needed to begin living with less of in regards to John 3:30, “He must increase, I must decrease." what would you tell them and why!I feel like I should say less insecurity to stay on topic BUT honestly I think I would say less hurting and more healing. I feel like in order to become less we have to do some hard, personal work which is why I am so passionate about personal development. I feel like we can be better wives, sisters, moms, mentors and disciples when we have less baggage and bruising from our past because the longer we carry that heavy load and wounding around the less effective our witness is. When we’re stuck in hurts from the past we are more focused on ourselves than we realize. Doing the hard work of work on yourself which actually equips you to extend more love and kindness to others which is what being a disciple is all about.I’ll not here that I’m not necessarily talking about BIG traumas. I think it’s obviously important to work through those but I don’t want to communicate that you're a crappy Christian because you have some deep wounding from the past that you haven’t recovered from. What I’m saying here is identify your blindspots, your character defects and your biases so that you can become a more effective witness.Ultimately, this kind of hard work that leads to healing can really inspire confidence not only in yourself but in those you have influence over so there you go I brought it all together!8) What have been your current favorite worship songs! Okay, I love that we are talking about confidence today because the worship song I ALWAYS return to and constantly have on repeat is Confident by Steffany Gretzinger.Find Bailey here!Podcast - The Illustrious PodcastWebsite - thisillwstriouslife.comIG - @thisillustriouslife  

Tell us a little about you!Brooke is a wife, a mother, social media faith-blogger and currently a student at Liberty University pursuing her Bachelors of Science in Religion with a focus in Christian Counseling. Brooke uses her voice and heart to not only share her personal life’s journey in Christ, but also to encourage women to seek after God first hand. In a world where it is easy to access biblical theology and doctrine through a variety of sources (podcasts, social media, books etc.), Brooke states that secondhand faith has nothing on true, firsthand relationship that abides and walks with God. Brooke enjoys writing, reading, learning and talking about all things pertaining to theology and God’s word. To contact her personally, you can find her on Instagram @thegorgeousgrace or email at brookietabor@gmail.comWhat has God been teaching you in 2020?Obedience in the uncomfortableI’m learning what it means to lose.To have an eternal mindsetI lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord,who made heaven and earth.He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:1-4How comforting it is that I don’t have to stress myself because God is in control. All he asks is that i trust him and keep an eternal mindset.How have you felt spiritually during this season? (Be honest!!!)Grieved and homesick - Ecclesiastes 3:11: He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Humbled and hopeful - Hebrews 4:16, ESV: "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."In what way do you know God more deeply because of this year?I feel like this year has been one gigantic trust fall. - Jumping into the pool as a child. It was scary the first few times, but as my father caught me, i began to jump more confidently (Hebrews 4:16)The more times you fall and let the Lord catch you, the more confident you are that you are going to be caught.What’s one portion of scripture you’d share with someone who you knew you’d never see again?Ephesians 2! This passage I think speaks to both unbelievers and believers. (which the entire bible does) but the sections within this chapter break down what it is to believe.Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.