The Heart of the Matter

In today's episode we sit down with Joyful Julie to discuss her walk with Jesus and the troubles she's endured in life. When we face difficult times we have two choices; to pick joy or bitterness. Often it's easier to pick bitterness but that's not what we were created for. Come listen to a story of hope and transformation!

In today's episode we discuss the verses which show us we don't rely on our own strength as Christians but in every situation we can rely on the strength of Christ even when we don't think we are strong.

On this episode of the podcast we sit down with Nick and Steph Bartholomew from Ignite ministries. We discuss their testimonies and how God has led them to start Ignite. Come listen about reaching the homeless and being the hands and feet of Christ.

In today's episode we look at the verse which shows us how important we all are to God. In a world searching for identity and meaning we can go to the Creator and see He has given us a purpose. We find our understanding in Him. Listen as we talk about faith, stepping out, and co-laboring with the Father.

As we continue in our identity series we discuss Corinthians where Paul tells the church they are established, anointed, and sealed through the Holy Spirit. When we come to Christ we need to understand the power which comes with that transfer in our lives. Our soul becomes sealed with by the Holy Spirit, anoints us with power, and establishes us in perfection. Come join as Jose Ortiz III joins us!

Oftentimes when we become Christians we fail to realize the abilities God gives us. One of the greatest gifts which comes through Christ is the ability to have access to our Father through the Spirit. We can go to God in prayer in any situation and He is there listening. Satan wants us to believe we are alone but God wants us to remember He is a loving father waiting for us to come to Him.

We face a world of division in which satan tries to have us focus on criticizing one another for every little thing. When we look at every circumstance through the eyes of God we begin to try and find ways to bridge divides and unite. In today's episode we discuss the identity of being united with God. Just as Jesus is one with the Father we also get to be one with Him.

Today we have on guest Dominic Robinson who talks with us about evangelism and reaching the lost. How do we share our faith with those around us? What do we do if we're rejected? How can we combat the fear of failing to reach the lost?

In todays episode we recorded a conversation about the Trinity. Is it a biblical concept? Is it a salvation issue? Can we comprehend it? Too many times we belittle the views and understanding of others when we can't fully comprehend the complexity of God ourselves. Where do we find the common ground and how can we relate to others who don't fully agree with us?

Join us today as we have a special guest, Pastor Kim Buckman of Harvestime Church of Eau Claire. We talk about some of the myths of the "pagan" roots of Easter and read some of the Easter story. We also discuss the importance of the Resurrection.

A lot of times in our lives we can be very timid in our walk with Christ. We don't view ourselves as the warriors God has called us to be but we act like orphans. God has adopted us into His family but also given us His power. We should go forth in boldness and approach our Father who is more than willing to give good things to His children. In today's episode we talk about approaching God's throne with boldness.

In today's episode we talk about the passing of Michael Heiser, author of The Unseen Realm, the Asbury Revival and whether it was a good thing, and speak about the life Jesus gives us through His salvation.

A lot of times in life it's easy to have a worldly view of things. We complain because something doesn't go our way or reason with a carnal mind. In today's episode we talk about the concept of living with the knowledge that we are seated in the heavenly realm with Christ. What does this mean and how should we really look at things.

There's many times we think too lowly of ourselves. We tend to think beating ourselves up is humility but it can be another picture of pride. What would our lives look like if we understood what God had said about us? In today's podcast we talk about the temple of God and how God describes it.

When we think of a temple it can bring about pictures of ornate structures and beautifully architected works of art. What did the Jews in Jesus' time understand about the temple and what implications that meant when we are called the temple of God. In today's episode we discuss this and more.

What would it look like if we used our giftings to help the church body grow instead of separating from them? Too often our perspective comes from what we experience instead of from God's Kingdom. Today we talk about how we need to take our authority from God and step out into His will.

In today's podcast we discuss our rights as citizens of Heaven and how we can tap into them. So many times we can get caught up into the doubts of the world because of the trials and problems we deal with. We talk about calling on the powers of Heaven and loving it out.

For so many of us we identify with our professions or our titles or even as a nation. The bible takes a metaphor and gives us an understanding that spiritually we are citizens of Heaven and our identity is in who God says we are. We unpack this topic a little more in our series on identity.

In our culture we always hear about healing and comforting others but what do we do in times when we receive healing? What are the next steps? The church is not just an infirmary for the broken and hurting but an army to be sent out and conquer. Today we talk about discipleship, operating in the Holy Spirit, and being the biblical version of church.

In today's episode we sit down with Pastor Landon Huie from Oasis church. Come hear a little of his testimony, the ministry he's currently serving in, and a few things he shares which God has put on his heart.

In today's episode we dive into a recent missions trip Jenna took. We discuss grace and what that should do for our Christian lives.

Come and listen to Jose's testimony. He talks about his history with drugs and religion and how his experience with the Lord has developed over time. We talk about calling people heretics and riding an electric scooter.

There's many times in our lives where we can feel incomplete or not good enough for God. The thing is God has made us complete so we shouldn't worry about it! Jesus was sent because we weren't good enough on our own because we need God for our fulfillment. In today's episode we talk more on how God has completed us through Himself.

If you've ever felt broken or tattered it can be hard to go on living. Christ never meant for us to be broken and He came to mend us mind, body, and soul. In today's episode we finish up our topic of Sainthood and begin talking about our completeness in Christ. Paul tells us everything is fulfilled in Christ and so are we. It's part of our spiritual armor to know we are filled with Christ and His Spirit.

Freedom means many things to many different people. From the rights we enjoy in America to the pursuit of something even greater people want and desire freedom. In today's podcast we discuss freedom from our American perspectives and freedom from a Christian perspective.

When we think of family we often think of those we are related to by physical blood. When we look at Scripture we see our family are those who do the will of God. We are related through the blood of Christ. In today's episode we discuss more about this topic and what church should look like.

Today we talk about the groundbreaking decision to push abortion back to the states.

It's hard to bare fruit in today's age. With the world and Satan attacking the church and believers day in and day out how do we continue to produce fruit for God? Today we talk about walking in the Spirit.

These days can seem pretty crazy and hectic. How do I fit in? What am I to do for Christ? We can oftentimes find ourselves asking these questions. In today's episode we discuss how to be holy ones called out in this world of darkness.

There are many times we feel unqualified or unprepared to live our lives completely for Christ. In today's episode we talk about how Christ loved us so much He died to allow us the gift of His presence. Special guest: James Jonas.

When we think of sainthood we often think about regulations and great acts of God, or at least what we would think constitutes a great work of God.  Does scripture really point to a process of become a saint?  In today's episode we talk about sainthood and what that looks like to the body of Christ.

Sometimes we tend to over complicate what God made simple; obey my commands, live in the Spirit, love God first and foremost. We think if we don't measure up to God we are under condemnation but we must heed Paul's warning and not lose of gift of grace. Today believers in Christ live in the Spirit for He has fulfilled the whole law. It's time we embrace that Spirit and live fully for God for we no longer live under condemnation!

In today's special episode we take a look at the Resurrection and its importance to the Christian faith.  We also discuss some of the connections to parts of story and what they might possibly mean.

There are many times we wonder if we are saved. The world especially other Christians like to debate what constitutes salvation which can lead to some feeling as if they don't belong to God or aren't pleasing Him. In today's podcast we discuss how we are justified through faith alone and how works are naturally born out of a loving relationship with Jesus.

The world tells us we need to do more than prayer; however prayer is going before the Creator of the universe and asking for His help and resources to solve issues. As Christians we can sometimes put all work in our hands when we are supposed to lay it down in submission to the authority of Christ. In today's episode we talk about the war between Russia and Ukraine. We also talk on how celebrities will use their insincerity about faith and Christianity as a smoke screen for their disbelief in the power of prayer.

Do you feel condemned as a Christian? Having a hard time knowing if you're saved or not. In today's episode we address justification and how it relates to us as believers.

The body of Christ is global—it's everywhere, and every single person who believes in Jesus is a part of it. In today's episode of The Heart of the Matter we discuss identity in Christ and how it is expressed in our worship. We talk about the problems that have arisen within the body over a number of issues, like church on multiple levels. Join us as we talk about how we can identify who we are as children of God, uniting under his love, above all else. We talk about the idea of a global body of Christ so often that it's sometimes easy to forget that we may not all believe the same things. But if we don't allow ourselves to be challenged, we'll never understand the truth in its fullest form. One of the most amazing things about being a Christian is the ability to be a part of something so much bigger than ourselves. As an American, we're used to thinking of our own personal faith and the way it intersects with our life as independent from that of others in America. But as we live through a time with fragile geo-politics and the prospect of a long war between Ukraine and Russia, understanding our identity in the Body and in the church is vital to discussion. The body of Christ is global. But how do we live up to our calling as Christ's children? Episode 38 | Heart of the Matter | Identity In Christ: Church Around the World #12stonesMediaMinistry #HeartOfTheMatter #IdentityInChrist

In today's episode we discuss our first video recording. We also talk about how Christ is the head of the body and through Him the church grows into maturity.

In today's episode we rewind to an earlier episode which was never uploaded.  We take a break from our Identity series back to talk about how God forms us like pottery, God's love in the face of our disobedience, eating meat in the Garden, and living in God's fullness.

We start our podcast with a recap of Gateway Church's Weekend of Hope.  Listen in as we discuss how God showed up and moved throughout the entire weekend!

In today's episode we talk about Alaska and what it's like to live in the cold. We talk about shopping delivery services, how they can help you find anything.  We also discuss fasting and different blessings God has given us, for being a part of the body of Christ.

Have you ever felt like you didn't have a place or that you are just here for the ride?  In today's podcast we talk about divine appointments, being an indispensable part of the Kingdom of God, and having purpose. In this podcast we explain what being a part of the church body means and its importance to our lives. The bible tells us that we are a part of the Kingdom of God and have a very important purpose here on earth.

In today's episode we touch on the movie Dune, revival happening across the country, and that friendship takes investment in one another.

In this episode we discuss virtual relationships, giftings, and how our faith is counted as righteousness to God.

In today's episode we talk about our identity as Christ's friend.  We talk about the holidays, martyrdom, and working alongside our Savior.

In this podcast episode we continue to talk about adoption into the family of God, serving as a family member, and what our old family was and what our new family is. 

In today's podcast we talk about being adopted into the family of Christ.  We also talk about God's love and how we can't truly fathom it.

In this episode we continue to talk about being sons of God and the inheritance we are promised.  We also talk about heresy and why everyone feels the need to call all other believers out.

In this first episode of a new series we begin to dive into our identities and what scriptures says about being Sons of God.

In today's last installment of the Freedom in Christ series we talk about how the law was meant to point us to Christ and how the Holy Spirit represents freedom.

In today's episode we talk about being clothed in robes of righteousness.