Bountiful Living

How do we accomplish God's will in a culture screaming for our attention?In this special episode, Katie and Samantha wade through music, books, movies, and the importance of staying anchored in Christ amidst worldly pressures. Plus, they open up about her writing, favorite books, and her passion for music and faith.Colossians 3:1-2 "Therefore, you have been raised up with Christ. Keep seeking the things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on the things of this earth."Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good, acceptable and perfect."Hear Samantha in her other epidodes:ADVENT 2022: Faith Like AbrahamADVENT 2022: Faith Like MaryADVENT 2022: Faith Like a ShepherdDiscover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

It is vital to cut through the cultural noise telling us who Jesus is and who we are in Him. Join Katie, Jess, and Laura on a deep dive through the Bible to uncover what it says about being a Christian. Salvation is a free gift from God through Christ alone. He is the way.Jess Luttrell Cosplay 4 Christ.com, Cosplay4Christ Podcast, YouTube, TikTok, InstagramLaura A. Farrar lauraafarrar.com, enochmsv.com, "The Chains of Death" by Laura Farrar, "The Book of Enoch, MSV" by Kip Farrar, "The Book of Enoch & The Bible" by Kip FarrarTHE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.John 16:7-16John 10John 3:1-21Romans 1:20 [Romans 1:18-25]Romans 10:9-10Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world;  and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” 1 John 5:4 This episode will equip you to share your testimony and the gospel. You will learn how to push past the fear and feelings of inadequacy to go into all the world as Christ commissions believers to do. 3 Questions to ask before sharing your testimony:1. Who is the recipient?2. What are you going to say?3. How much time do you have?ABCs of SalvationA Admit you're a sinner and that sinful nature separates us from God. (Romans 3:23)B Believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. The blood that was sacrificed is a cleansing for our sins and reconciles us to God. We believe that he overcame sin and death and was resurrected after three days. (John 3:16)C Confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and He is Lord of your life. (Romans 10:9-13)PODCAST LINKS:For the JoyGOSPEL 101: Not AshamedGOSPEL 101: The Gospel and Why We Need ItDiscover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

My dear friends, Jess Luttrell of Cosplay 4 Christ and Laura A. Farrar, author and filmmaker, join us as guests to delve into the supernatural. Combating the Spirit of Offense:"Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ," Ephesians 4:15 ESV"Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense." Proverbs 19:11 ESV Expose the Unfruitful Works of Darkness:"11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,'Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”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." Ephesians 5:11-16 ESVPart 1: SUPERNATURAL 101 #1Jess Luttrell Cosplay 4 Christ.com, Cosplay4Christ Podcast, YouTube, TikTok, InstagramLaura A. Farrar lauraafarrar.com, enochmsv.com, "The Chains of Death" by Laura Farrar, "The Book of Enoch, MSV" by Kip Farrar, "The Book of Enoch & The Bible" by Kip FarrarDiscover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

My dear friends, Jess Luttrell of Cosplay 4 Christ and Laura A. Farrar, author and filmmaker join us as guests to delve into the supernatural. "Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." Ephesians 6:11-16 NASBPaul starts with the belt of truth, which holds our armor together. Our shield of faith extinguishes the flaming arrows of the evil one.The Word of God is our sword that defends against the lies of the enemy. Ephesians 6:18 tells us, "...pray at all times in the Spirit and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints," NASB"You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder." James 2:19, NASB "Now the seventy-two returned with joy, saying, 'Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!'And He [Jesus] said to them, 'I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.'" Luke 10:17-20 NASBPart 2: SUPERNATURAL 101 #2Jess Luttrell Cosplay 4 Christ.com,  Cosplay4Christ Podcast, YouTube, TikTok, InstagramLaura A. Farrar lauraafarrar.com, enochmsv.com, "The Chains of Death" by Laura Farrar, "The Book of Enoch, MSV" by Kip Farrar, "The Book of Enoch & The Bible" by Kip FarrarDiscover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

The Gospel is the Good News that Christ has come to set us free from the law of sin and death."And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him (Jesus). He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.'" Luke 4:17-18 ESV"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 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 Corinthians 5:17-21 NASBABCs of SalvationA Admit you're a sinner and that sinful nature separates us from God. (Romans 3:23)B Believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. The blood that was sacrificed is a cleansing for our sins and reconciles us to God. We believe that he overcame sin and death and was resurrected after three days. (John 3:16)C Confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and He is Lord of your life. (Romans 10:9-13)PODCAST LINKS:For the JoyGOSPEL 101: Not AshamedDiscover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

As Christians, we are ambassadors of the Gospel; have we gone forth boldly to share the good news, or are we ashamed of it?"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Greek [Gentile]." Romans 1:16 NASB"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 NASBSharing the Gospel is not a suggestion, but a command. 1. Go and make disciples, teach them to obey everything I have commanded.2. Make disciples of all nations (The Gospel is for everyone, everywhere)3. We won't be doing this alone; through the Holy Spirit, Christ is always with us.If we don't understand what the Gospel is, how can we share it?  Stay tuned for the next episode of GOSPEL101: What the Gospel?"For the Joy" Episode: Testimony of when I was ashamed of the GospelDiscover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

Although we can overcomplicate it, prayer is simply conversing with the one true God, Yahweh, our Father in Heaven, the Creator of the Universe. The Bible tells us to revere His position and remember to speak to Him in humility. However, God can also handle the real, raw, cries of our heart as we see in the pages of the Book of Job, "The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21 NASB  In the Psalms, King David cries out to the Lord, but he always concludes with praising God and stating the truth about His love for His people despite the current circumstances.When you pray:1. Let Your Words Be Few. Approach God with humility and reverence. "Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore, let your words be few." Ecclesiastes 5:1-22. Check your heart motives: You may feel insecure or inadequate when you pray in public, focus on God, not on how you are coming across to the people around you. "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 KJV3. Pray without ceasing: You can pray while you're driving, doing laundry, when you rise, or lie down, before a meeting, or during a meeting. You can pray anywhere, anytime. Bountiful Living EP41: How do we Know God's Will?RESOURCES:Praise - Repent - Ask - Yield Priscilla Shierer "Armor of God" & "Fervent"Trusted resources for Bible study: YouVersion, LOGOS, Bible Project, Community Bible Studies, Bible Study FellowshipPrayer Organization: Moms in PrayerDiscover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

"Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'” James 4:14-15 ESVYou may not know the direction the Lord has for you, but as you surrender your will to His, He will show you the steps to take and light the path ahead. You can trust Him to provide, and provide bountifully.Join us as we discuss Psalms 8 and take a look at God's plan for us to cultivate the earth. Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

Do you ever feel like the Bible or your pastor is speaking in terms you don't understand? Today, we will grow in the knowledge of God's grace, mercy, covenant, sanctification, justification, salvation, repentance, and righteousness.GRACE: Grace is an extension of God's mercy. It is the free, unmerited favor of God MERCY: While it is in God's power to condemn us, He doesn't. Instead, He forgives us.I hope you see grace in a new way today, and can say Lord, "I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is written on my heart." Psalm 40:7-8, NASB"Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be satisfied." Matthew 5:6Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

You may feel like you want to give up when you are faced with unending, relentless trials. Or your heart may be filled with hopelessness and despair wondering how we will make it through one more day.Through our faith in God, the lifter of our heads, our Mighty Counselor, Everlasting God, Prince of Peace, the one who binds up the wounds of our broken hearts, we find our hope restored. We can overcome anything the enemy throws our way as we trust and believe in who we are in Christ.Today on the podcast we look at the men and women of faith in Hebrews 11 who were faithful to the Lord and overcame trials of infertility, homelessness, poverty, and immense suffering. Still, because of their faith, they gained approval from the Lord."Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. For by it, the men of old gained approval." Hebrews 11:1-2 (KJV)"Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God  must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." Hebrews 11:6 (NASB)"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4 (NASB)"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation." 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NASB)"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." 1 John 5:4 (NASB)Finish your race well.Keep fighting the good fight.Do NOT grow weary in well doing. (Romans 8:28)Be faithful and OvercomeDiscover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

Welcome to the 2nd-anniversary episode of the podcast!!“For it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear has heard, nor has entered into the heart of man the things God has prepared for those who love Him.’” 1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJVThis scripture was my "life verse" in my twenties. Revisiting it almost twenty years later I think I was misinterpreting its meaning. Today on the podcast we will look at what this scripture really means and how to interpret scripture properly.How do we properly interpret scripture?1)  We always ask the Holy Spirit to help us as we read the Word. The Holy Spirit is the giver of wisdom and helps us to understand. Jesus says in John 16:13-14, “13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” ESV2) Read the Bible in context: chapter, book as well as historical and cultural context. “The Bible is for us, but it wasn’t written to us.”2 Timothy 3:16-17 “16 All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.:”3) Put the scripture through the whole counsel of God.  Scripture will not contradict scripture.4) Look at commentaries to see if the Biblical scholars of the last two thousand years agree with your interpretation of the Word.“The things God has for those who love Him…” isn’t something believers have to wait for, it is already ours every time we reach out to the One who loves us and calls us by name. In closing, I will pray Ephesians 3:20-21, NASB “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23-24 NIVJoin the conversation with my friend Lori, a 15-year Homeschool Mama, who encourages women in the value of the sovereign and noble assignment from the Lord; the ministry of our home. Tips for successful ministry in our homes:Find time to be alone with the Lord. You may feel unseen, but He sees you and will minister to you. "Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you." James 4:8Find ministry partners. It is essential to find other women who get the value of what you are doing and will come alongside you.Remember this is Kingdom Work!"God will never call us to a ministry outside of our home at the expense of our home." LoriPray for your family. Release control to God."We often can go into a place of fear and anxiety with parenting when we don't feel like we have control, but God is always reminding me that I am a parent, but He is THE parent." LoriPrayer for our children from 2 Timothy 2:22-26: God, we ask that our children flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. May they like King David, call on You from a pure heart and refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. Your Word says, "the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient, when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition." God lead us to repentance and help us to show our children the importance of repentance because it leads to the knowledge of the Truth. Bring our children to their senses! God, I ask that they escape the snare of the devil so that they are no longer captive by him to do his will. Lord let it be Your will that they follow all the days of their life. God, as is modeled in the Lord's Prayer, may  Your Kingdom Come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name, Amen.RESOURCES: "Find Your People" by Jennie AllenDiscover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every matter under heaven—" Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NASB)There are many seasons in our lives, but through it all, we can trust the God of the universe to equip us, strengthen us, and provide for us in every moment.   "For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 (NASB)Be patient and faithful to your season, trust God with the process.Truth from God's Word:We need to operate in God's strength."We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength." Philippians 4:13 (NASB)Jesus will equip me for every good work according to His will, working in me that which is pleasing in His sight. To Him be the glory forever and ever." equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen." Hebrews 13:21 (NASB)God will set me on the right path."The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9 (NASB)Today was not the best day. I feel wronged, I am hurt, but I know that God is working all things together for my good. "God is working all things together for those who love God and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 (NASB)I chose rest today instead of burnout, because Jesus says, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 (NASB)"The thief comes to steal kill and destroy, but Christ is come for us to have life." John 10:10"'I am the way', Jesus said.'To enter through me is to experience life, freedom, and satisfaction.A thief has only one thing in mind – he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy.But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect –life in its fullness until you overflow!"John 10:9-10 (The Passion Translation)Your homework is to REST!EPISODES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:What is my Purpose?You Are Not Alone: Christy AshDiscover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and love and sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 ESVFear is not from God. Whether you are tormented by nightmares, fearful of scary movies or fear failure, fear steals our peace and leads to anxiety and terror. For all who love the Lord and put their trust in Him we do not have to fear or be afraid. As it says in Josuha 1:6 "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." Today we study Psalm 91, Ephesians 6, and Isaiah 54. They are full of God's promises for His people. Peace, not fear, is our heritage from the Lord!He is with us, He is our stronghold, our Maker, and His lovingkindness endures forever.Check out the podcast: Praying God's Word Psalm 91 and Ephesians 6Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

Today, I have my first-ever interview with my good friend Christy. She is a young professional who wants to encourage women to know that we are not alone. On the podcast, we talk about the different seasons of life we go through as women, and how to stay closely connected to the Lord and surround ourselves with others who are like-minded in our Christian faith.You are not alone! "There are so many other people out there who are fighting for the FAITH, who are fighting for the TRUTH of God, who are fighting to share the GOSPEL in a way that is true and genuine." Christy “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15, NKJVDiscover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

Did you discover your spiritual gifts? If not, listen to the previous podcast "What is My Purpose?" Today we expand on knowing the gifts, talents, and skillset the Lord has entrusted us and discuss how Jesus tells us to use them in Matthew 25 "The Parable of the Talents".When we ask Jesus to be Lord of our lives, that is not the end, that is the first step in becoming His disciple.  We begin living a changed, new, transformed life surrendered to his Lordship. Jesus taught this parable of talents to His disciples about a week before He went to the cross to help them to understand the Kingdom of Heaven and their job until the Master, Jesus returns.Two of the servants were faithful, diligent, and good stewards of what the Lord had given them. They took what God gave them and multiplied it. The third servant buried his talent in the ground. This servant was unfaithful to the Lord and wasted opportunity and the resources he was given. If you have buried your talent, dig it up!God is a God of second chances, mercy, and love. Repent and return to your God.2 Peter 3:9-18 "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be discovered.Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise, we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found spotless and blameless by Him, at peace, 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which there are some things that are hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unscrupulous people and lose your own firm commitment,  but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

Do you ever wonder, why am I here? What is my purpose for living?God has gifted you with a unique, one-of-a-kind calling. He has equipped you with talents and spiritual gifts to bring heaven to this earth and glory to His name. In this episode, we discuss the difference between a calling and a career:"A calling is what you're made to do, A career is what you're paid to do."Spiritual Gifts Test:1. Find a test online.2. Ask your church if they have an available test. (better resource)3. Pray and ask God to reveal your spiritual gifts.If you aren't sure how to know you're hearing from God and not some other voice, check out Episode 27: "How to Hear From God" Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

As we celebrate the one year mark of the Bountiful Living podcast, Katie shares how she is learning to abide in Christ. Life in Christ is one that transforms us, steadies us and gives us joy and peace in the midst of suffering and an overstuffed calendar.We discuss:Proper PrioritiesSetting Healthy Boundaries Pleasing God, not ManRESOURCES:John 15 "Abiding in Christ""Boundaries: When to say yes, When to say no" by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend"Best Yes" by Lysa TerKeurst"To Hell with the Hustle" by Jefferson BethkeDiscover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

Life doesn't always turn out like we expect or plan. How do we navigate these roadblocks? Today we continue our study of the Book of Ezra we will identify some of the tactics the enemy can use against us to frustrate us and attempt to halt the work God is doing in our lives. We find our victory in Christ: "We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body...Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 16-18In this episode, we study Ezra 4-6: The enemy wants to extinguish God's work in our lives.Ask God for discernment, there are wolves in sheep's clothing.The enemy will frustrate your plans, but in Christ, we have victory!Do not lose heart!EZRA SERIES:What is Revival?Revival is in YouNavigating RoadblocksDiscover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

Where are you in your walk with the Lord?1. at the epic newness of salvation2. captivity/going my own way/drifting3. needing to rebuild4. mature believer5. on fireIf your connection with God is severed, you can rebuild.We cover a lot of ground in this episode. Here are some of the scriptures we discussed for your reference:Old Covenant? New Covenant? What is the difference?Romans 12:1-2 "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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."Hebrews 8:1-7 "Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest [Jesus], one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.  For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, 'See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.'  But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant He mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.  For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.2 Chronicles 6 & 7 Solomon's dedication for the Temple2 Chronicles 7:14-16 "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time." - GodEZRA SERIES:What is Revival?Revival is in YouNavigating RoadblocksDiscover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

What does the Bible say about revival?The only verse that states the word revival verbatim is found in Ezra 9:8 and this specific verbiage is found only in the New King James translation, where it says, “And now for a little while grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and give us a measure of revival in our bondage.”This week's podcast, we will explore what the Bible has to say about revival through the eyes of Ezra, a scribe in the days of Israel's return to the promised land to rebuild. In Ezra 1-3 we learn that:REVIVAL BEGINS WITH REPENTANCE AND HUMILITYREVIVAL IS A STIRRING IN THE HEARTREVIVAL RESULTS IN UNITYREVIVAL IS A FRAGRANT OFFERING TO GODREVIVAL KEEPS THE FIRE BURNING EZRA SERIES: What is Revival?Revival is in YouNavigating RoadblocksDiscover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

How do we hear from God?We must first posture ourselves to hear what the Lord speaks. We must come to a place of willingness to seek God and hear what He speaks through prayer and reading His Word.1 Peter 3:12 (ESV) “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer.”Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV) “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”Here is the good news, God hears us when we pray and when we cry out to Him in desperation.  He is faithful, but are we faithful? Are we faithful to spend time in His word? Are we faithful to wait when it feels like we will never see an end to our suffering?Posturing is not enough, we must also spend time in His presence. Through prayer and the reading of His Word, we discover His will, His character, His plan, and His call for our lives.Another way God speaks to us is through His Son, Jesus who shows us how to live.Time and time again, He tells us, He has come to do the will of His father. John 5:30 (CSB) Jesus says, “I can do nothing on my own. I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent me.”In conclusion, I share my personal testimony and advice on how to hear from the Lord.Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

There are days and seasons when life feels like it has hit a dead end.What if I told you in this very moment God has a plan for your life and is working things out for your good? As followers of Christ, "We have become his poetry,  a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works  we would do to fulfill it!" Ephesians 2:10 The Passion TranslationThis episode is dedicated to my Mom: Happy Birthday! Thank you for the investment you made in my life, for teaching me to pray and setting the example of reading your Bible, and being passionate about God's Word. I love you!Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

Have you sought the Lord this year for your vision, your word, and your resolutions? If we go with God in 2023, we will not fail or falter, He is a firm foundation. We do this through: 1. Reading your Bible 2. Pray 3. Rest in Him.You've got this because God has got you!Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

For the JOY of YOU, Christ endured the suffering of the cross!This week on the podcast we discuss the JOY of knowing Jesus as well as His JOY of knowing you. "We look away from the natural realm and we focus our attention and expectation onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith's perfection. His example is this: Because His heart was focused on the JOY of knowing the YOU would be His, He endured the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God!" Hebrews 12:2, The Passion TranslationDiscover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

"For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 NASBChrist is our peace.The Apostle Paul shows us how to receive the gift of peace Christ offers in Philippians chapter four. He writes to the church at Philippi from prison. If anyone had a reason to grumble, to complain it was Paul who was wrongfully imprisoned for preaching the good news. Paul encourages the church to have peace and joy no matter what the circumstance. Stand firm in the Lord, my beloved!Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice!Do not be anxious about anything, pray about everything with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to Godand the PEACE of God which transcends all understandingwill guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.Finally, whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, if there is any excellence, anything worthy of praise...think about THESE things. What you have learned, received, and heard from Paul, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.(Summary of Philippians 4:1-9)"We can choose to agree with God, or agree with our circumstances." 1. Spend time in His Word2. Spend time in Prayer3. Spend time in Praise"Tremble" by Mosaic "It is Well with my Soul"Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

This is the final installment of our Advent series on faith.Join us as we read the Christmas Story in Luke chapter two. "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.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!'” Luke 2:10-14, ESVDiscover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

We continue in part 2 of Luke chapter 1 starting in verse 39 when Mary, the mother of Jesus visits her cousin Elisabeth. What faith these two ladies have!"And when Elisabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.'" Luke 1:41-45, ESVDiscover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1  My children join me this week as we compare the faith of Abraham, Zachariah and Mary, the mother of Jesus.  This is part 1 of our discussion on Luke chapter 1.Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

This is part three of God is our Hope. Today we discuss, God is our hope for tomorrow.“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does he prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3, ESVI recently finished my study on the book of Revelation and since this episode is all about Christ coming as a babe in a manger and waiting for His return, let's dive in and see what the Bible says about our future hope. Don’t let the book of Revelation intimidate you, even if all you do is read it or hear it, God says we are blessed.Revelation 1:3 , ESV “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” This Christmas, remember what Jesus' birth means;HE IS OUR HOPE, our eternal hope! This little babe in the manger was destined for great and mighty things.  He was the fulfillment of countless prophecies. His life shows us how to live, shows us how to depend on and trust in our Father God, just as Christ, Himself did. His death restored us.  He took on our sin, our shame, for us to have life in His name. His resurrection means He’s alive, death, and suffering was not the end for Him and it is not the end for us who have fallen on our knees, repented of our sinful nature, and believe in Him, that He died on the cross for our sin and rose again on the third day and is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven.Come quickly Lord Jesus,  The Spirit and the bride say, “COME” Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

Because of Christ, our HOPE can never be taken away. Whether it was that recent medical diagnosis, an empty bank account, or yet one more betrayal. Whatever it is today that is making you feel hopeless, I want to tell you my friend you do not have to STAY in that place of hopelessness. Because of Christ, we have a Bountiful Life including HOPE. We know that “the thief comes to steal, to kill and to destroy, but Christ has come for us to have life, until it overflows.” John 10:10Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

This week we are looking at the first week of ADVENT, God is our HOPE.In the first part of this series on HOPE, we look at how God gave HOPE to humanity throughout all of history.Hebrews 11:1 from the KJV says “Now faith (complete trust, confidence) is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence (indication, proof) of things not seen.”God stood beside the men and women in the Old Testament through infertility, slavery, injustice, wars, peace, lack, and harvest. He gave HOPE to humanity and was faithful to encourage, teach, show mercy and walk alongside mankind starting in the Garden of Eden.   “Hope is what fueled their faith, ….HOPE fuels our faith.” Did you know that the first promise of redemption for mankind was in the Garden of Eden?  Genesis 3:15 was the first glimmer of The Gospel, to the serpent God promised, “I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring; He shall bruise your head and you shall bruise His heel.” Genesis 3:15, ESVToday, we have a gift that humanity waited thousands and thousands of years to receive. Today, we do not have to wait any longer to receive God’s promise, of salvation. God’s promise was fulfilled in the gift of JESUS, His precious Son.“For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16, KJVThat baby; born in a manger on that bustling night in Bethlehem, when Mary and Joseph arrived for their taxes, in the birthplace of King David. God never misses a detail!The wait is over. King Jesus is here!Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection give us eternal hope. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last days.”  1 Peter 1:3-5, ESV Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21Advent isn't a legalistic thing, but a love thing to make Jesus a priority not just at Christmas, but always.HOPE: The Old Testament prophets foretell the coming of a Savior.FAITH: Mary and Joseph's faith journey JOY: Celebrating the JOY of the Savior's birth.PEACE: Because of Christ, we experience peace on earth.CHRIST is our sinless Savior, born to the world We await His return for His bride.Check out this podcast on the history of Advent:"The Joy of Advent with Theologian, Dr. Joel Muddamalle"  BOOKS:"Come, Let Us Adore Him" A Daily Advent Devotional by Paul David Tripp"Emmanuel: An Invitation to Prepare Him Room at Christmas and Always" by Ruth Chou SimonsOur family is studying "Mercies at the Manger" this year published by Not Consumed.CANDLES:If you are looking for candles, I have found them at Christian bookstores and they are available online, just do a search. For a budget-friendly option, you could buy 3 purple candles, 1 pink, and 1 white and use your own and use your own candlesticks.This episode is lovingly dedicated to the family we have spent almost every Christmas for the last 15 years celebrating Advent together. We love you guys!Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

Are you encountering JOY and PEACE for the holidays or does it leave you feeling stressed and pennyless? This episode is designed to reflect on how we celebrate the holidays as a culture.RESOURCES: "To Hell with the Hustle" by Jefferson BethkeDiscover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

I am coining the label of this generation to be "Everyone Gets a Goody Bag". I come from the "Everyone Gets a Trophy" generation and just like that wasn't always in the best interest of children, neither is having this generation live with the burden of too much.As parents, we can be counter-cultural and shift to a Kingdom Perspective. Not all of our stuff is bad, but our stuff needs to be useful tools in our home that will steward the gifts and talents of ourselves and our families. Jesus shifts our perspective to a kingdom perspective in Matthew 6:10-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."How do we maintain this kingdom mindset in our homes?Identify your purpose. What has God called your family to do?Answering this question will lend insight into what "stuff" you need to fulfill your purpose. Our "stuff" is a resource for kingdom living. Let go of the things you do not need to fulfill your God-given purpose.We want to fill our homes with tools that will steward our calling. Everything else might be noise, adding to the chaos and stealing peace from your home.As you are letting go, some charities are better than others. Look for a "Buy Nothing" page in your neighborhood so you can bless your neighbor. Is there a women's shelter in need of quality clothing and things for children? Do you know someone with foster children who would be blessed by the things you no longer need?Salvation Army is a great place to donate if nothing else is an option. (This episode is published with permission from my children. I am very careful about what I share about their lives and their privacy. They always have permission to take any of my work down that is about them.)Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

There is more to come in our study on the Book of Job, but while I continue my research, we are going to begin discussing the concept of Kingdom Living.What does Kingdom Living look like in 2022 in our homes, traditions, priorities, celebrations and finances?Coming Soon on the PodcastTime for Truth - When to speak God's truth in loveHistory of JobBurden of Too Much: Kingdom LivingBountiful Living is here to encourage, here to sharpen you, here to instruct you from God's Word on how to live until Christ returns. Connect to Christ! He is the source of life. He steadies you and empowers you through every storm life sends your way.Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

Do you ever struggle to respond appropriately in a crisis?2 Timothy 2:4 tells us to "be ready in season and out of season."When we face a trial, we must get out of "crazy mode" and get into "ready mode" so we can respond readily to whatever comes our way.Step 1 is to live a life of surrender.  When we surrender our lives to God we are giving up control. When we choose to love Him with all of our hearts, mind, soul, and strength, we also surrender our will and our way.Step 2 is to train. We train by reading, memorizing, and speaking the truth of God's word to our situation. We set our minds on things above, instead of the things of the world.Step 3 is triage.When we live a surrendered life to God and know the heart of God. We are able to properly prioritize. We can determine what matters and the things that don't. "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." Matthew 6:33This is the third podcast in a series on the Book of Job:A Response to SufferingHave MercyAs promised, here is ER doctor, Darria Long's TED Talk Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

How do we respond to a friend or even an enemy who is suffering?Jesus shows us that the key to showing mercy is loving the Lord with all of our hearts, minds, soul, and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves through the Parable of The Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. Mercy is defined, as compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within our power to punish or harm. It is an act meant to relieve suffering.Grace is unmerited favor, something not deserved, but freely given."Mercy is an act of grace that relieves the suffering of others." <3 KatieWhen we love God we obey His commands. When we spend time reading God’s word, we learn His heart, His will, His commands. He shows us how to love others.God gives us the Holy Spirit to help and give us the wisdom to respond to suffering.Finally, have mercy! Remember the Golden Rule: "Treat others the way you want to be treated."We all want mercy.We all want someone to bind up our wounds.We have received God's mercy, so let's freely give it.Psalm 147:3 "He binds up the wounds of the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.""Go and do the same." Luke 10:37Listen to Episode 1 in this series, "A Response to Suffering"This episode is dedicated to those who have shown me mercy, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, my mom and dad, my spouse, my children, and my friends, especially one willing to tackle the Book of Job with me. Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

Jesus says in John 16:33, "I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In this world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."How do we respond to suffering, take heart and find confidence in Jesus' words that we have overcome because He has overcome?In our tenth episode, I share my personal testimony of how the Lord brought me through a "Job-like" season, and we take a look at the example of righteousness Job sets that we can imitate in our trials.  Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.net Sharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living (Written with 💖 all my love for M, A, H, K & D)Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

In Part 1 we discussed, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and that in John 10:10, "The thief comes to steal, to kill and to destroy, but I (Christ) have come for you to have life and have it to the full."Part 2 covers Peter's redemption story and the call to "Follow Christ", but what exactly does it mean? How do we lay down our lives to follow after Him?In this episode, we follow the Apostle Peter's journey to Pentecost where he first tells the Jews what it means to be saved and follow Christ. Then dive into 1st and 2nd Peter outlining his instructions on how to live as we await Christ's return. Be diligentBe holyBe at peaceGrow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus ChristDiscover life in Christ at bountifulliving.net Sharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_LivingDiscover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

What does it mean to be a follower of Christ, to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Him?Connect with us today at bountifulliving.netDiscover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

Today we will take an in-depth look at the key verse for Bountiful Living from John 10:10, "The thief comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy, but I  (Christ) have come so that you may have life and have it to the full."We have all had disappointments or hurt from some of the leaders in our lives.  Maybe it was a parent who was abusive and was not a good shepherd to you.  Maybe someone cheated or stole from you and you lost either your financial security or your good name. Whatever brokenness remains from people who have abused their leadership over you or power or lorded over you in ways like a thief you can come to Christ for healing. You can come to Him for restoration. You can come to him for peace, for satisfaction for your wounds, to be bound up, for you to be safe and secure, and not scattered or abandoned. That is the life Christ offers because He is the Good Shepherd. If you want to know more about this Good Shepherd go to my website at bountiful living.net You can submit a prayer request and discover how to have a relationship with Him.Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

If you missed the introduction to this series, Psalm 23: Praying God's Word, check it out here.Prayer is an essential way we connect with God and go to Him first with our worries. God cares about us, He listens and responds to our cries for help. The scriptures today are prayers of protection, physically and spiritually. I encourage you to pray these scriptures daily and never start your day without putting on your spiritual armor.0:30 - Psalm 913:30 - Ephesians 68:00 - My prayer for you is "that our God may make you worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by His power." 2 Thessalonians 1:11We would love to hear from you!Tell us what scripture you pray and declare at www.bountifulliving.netIf you missed the episode "But First, God." you can check it out here.Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

A Bountiful Life puts God first in all things. Prayer is an essential way we connect with God and go to Him first with our worries. When we pray God's Word we are agreeing with Him and discovering His will for our lives.Today we start our series on "Praying God's Word" by praying Psalm 23 together.The intro ends at 5:09Prayer begins at 5:10We would love to hear from you! Tell us what scripture you pray and declare at www.bountifulliving.net If you missed the episode "But First, God." you can check it out here.Dedicated to the women who intercede alongside me and to my Mom’s in Prayer group.Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

Back to School Shopping Simplified Whether you enjoy Back to school shopping or it fills you with dread I hope these tips and encouragement will help you find joy and purpose in filling your wardrobe. Time and money are two of our most precious resources. We will discuss how to steward our time and money when we shop. While you probably never considered Kingdom Living in regards to your closet, it is a tool we need to steward well like everything in our Christian lives.It allows us to connect and relate with others. It reflects our unique personality. It aids us in life as we work, play, exercise, and rest. HOW TO SIMPLIFY:A) Be Intentional with a capsule wardrobe     1. Start with neutrals: black, white, grey, denim, khaki, etc…     2. Add accent colors or patterns     3. Enjoy mixing and matchingB) Quality over QuantityC) Shop head to toe (purchase an entire outfit)D) Timeless over TrendyThis episode is intended for inspiration, not imitation.Feel free to reach out with questions. Contact me at bountifulliving.net or send me a DM on Instagram @bountiful_livingTo watch a similar, but not the same episode on my YouTube channel Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

Unprecedented; a word that only begins to describe the collaborative storm we have endured over the last several years. Storms have the ability to annihilate anything not standing on a firm foundation.Would you say that everything in your life falls apart when the storm comes, or when the raging subsides do you stand firm?  Storms can make us or break us.Today on the podcast we will discuss how to build something that cannot be destroyed.We would love to hear from you!Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

Do you ever wonder how to make time for God amid your busy life?Avoiding major burnout and making time for God starts with proper priorities.In this episode, we will discuss how to prioritize God and persevere through whatever life or our schedule throws at us through:1. Prayer - It's just a conversation2. Worship - This is where we express our gratitude and adoration.3.  The Word  - The Bible is our source.No matter what is going on, or how overwhelmed you are, I encourage you to start every day with God. When you start your day with Him you will build a strong foundation in your life.  And He will become like the air you breathe, something you cannot live your life without. Did you miss anything on this episode?Go to bountifulliving.net and check out the blog entry, "But First, God."This episode is dedicated to my children, they have helped me to be holy and righteous and  to pursue what matters most in life. Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living 

Bountiful Living was born out of the tragedy, suffering, and the heartache we all experience in life.It's what we do with that suffering;how we choose to journey through andwhom we journey alongside willdetermine if trials make us or break us.A Bountiful Life is within reach, find out more at bountifulliving.netThis episode is dedicated to all the ones who encouraged me over the years to continue writing when it was not quite my season to “publish”. First to my God, this is for You. It is an act of obedience to tell the whole world about You. Thank you for loving me so I can love others. To my spouse for listening to all of my hair-brained ideas and encouraging me to pursue this calling on my life. To my parents who have always invested in me everyday of my life. To Miranda and Churee who continued to encourage through all of my false starts since the Lord first spoke a Bountiful Life into my heart in 2009. To Hollye, Laura, Jess, Cari, Kerri, and Dolores for co-laboring alongside me, willing to help me sort through all of the difficult questions and passages of the Bible no one else wants to talk about or study and to my Creative Writing for Women group for helping me be courageous.Discover life in Christ at bountifulliving.netSharpen your faith on Instagram at @Bountiful_Living