By His Grace

Spark Media Founder, Author, Speaker, and host Misty Phillip shares Biblical wisdom and insightful conversations with media personalities, faith leaders, authors, musicians, and influencers as they explore the intersection of faith, media, and culture. “It Is Time to Stand Up” emerges as a clarion call for Christians to rise with courage and conviction. This podcast serves as a beacon of light, guiding believers to live out their faith boldly. Christian perspectives to encourage, equip, and inspire you on issues facing today’s culture. #ITISTIMETOSTANDUP Join us as we explore pressing societal issues, offering a Biblical perspective to understand and navigate the complexities of our times. From the intricacies of daily living to the broad strokes of global events, our discussions aim to equip you with the spiritual tools and moral compass necessary to make a difference. We believe in the power of faith in action — transforming lives, communities, and the world at large. “It Is Time to Stand Up” is more than just a video podcast; it’s a movement towards living a life of faith that actively engages with the world. Whether you’re seeking to deepen your understanding of the Bible, looking for guidance on applying Christian principles in today’s society, or simply searching for a community that shares your desire to make a positive impact, this podcast is for you. Let’s embark on this journey of faith, transformation, and action together. Stand up, stand strong, and let your faith be the guiding light in a world that needs it more than ever. Watch It is Time to Stand Up Trailer on MistyPhillip.com (http://MistyPhillip.com) Follow It is Time to Stand Up Podcast The post Trailer: It is Time To Stand Up appeared first on By His Grace.

Welcome to the end-of-year episode of By His Grace with your host, Misty Phillip. In this special episode, Misty takes us on a journey reflecting on the incredible milestones achieved and shares her vision for the new year. From embracing her divine calling to the challenges of balancing professional endeavors with cherished roles as a wife and mother, Misty provides an intimate look into her personal and professional growth. As she announces a transition in the podcast’s journey, she offers heartfelt gratitude for the support and shares exciting plans for the future. Tune in for a message of faith, wisdom, and anticipation as we bid farewell to a transformative year and step into an inspiring new chapter together. Download Misty’s latest devotional, People Get Ready!  Stay connected with Spark Media  Connect with Misty on Social Media  Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Noteworthy Quotes The Power of Faith and Perseverance: “My journey over these past several years has been nothing short of miraculous.” — Misty Phillip [00:01:04 → 00:01:08] The Importance of Prioritizing Family: “Recognizing the need for change, I embraced the wisdom that sometimes we must let go of really good things to make way for the great.” — Misty Phillip [00:02:33 → 00:02:42] Breaking the Glass Ceiling: “Friends, it’s crucial to remember that our primary identity comes from being a child of God, not from any professional milestone or societal expectation that we may meet or succeed.” — Misty Phillip [00:06:15 → 00:06:30] Wisdom and Purpose in Professional Success: “I wanna be a wise woman who finds harmony in building my house, caring for those entrusted to me, and walking in my purpose and calling.” — Misty Phillip [00:09:36 → 00:09:46] The Impact of Technology on Communication: “The Internet, social media, and streaming, while they are amazing tools and resources, can be a huge distraction from true connection and what matters most.” — Misty Phillip [00:11:39 → 00:11:48] Embracing Change “I want make more time to create spaces where people can experience God’s love, have spiritual encounters, experience growth, community, and connection.” — Misty Phillip [00:13:36 → 00:13:46] Consulting in Podcasting “In my consulting work with Spark Media, I tailor the consulting based on your specific needs. With the changes that I’m making, I’m able to open up to take on more 1 on 1 clients because I believe in a hands on approach, working closely with people to understand their vision and I found the best results with working on clients on a 1 on 1 basis.” — Misty Phillip [00:14:55 → 00:15:21] Reflection on Past Achievements and Gratitude – Looking back over the previous year with gratitude – Reflection on the success and impact of the By His Grace podcast – Reflecting on the journey and the miraculous nature of the path – Serving hundreds of thousands of listeners in 135 countries globally – Privilege of assisting others in launching and nurturing podcasts – Impact of podcasting efforts on fostering collaboration and community Balancing Professional and Personal Life – Recognizing the demands of professional and ministry endeavors overshadowing family roles – Embracing the wisdom of prioritizing family and recognizing life seasons – Realization of the need for work-life balance and the challenge it presents Shifting Perspectives on Success and Identity – Discussing the potential conflict between professional success and a Christ-centered perspective – Emphasizing the primary identity as a child of God and finding worth in the relationship with Jesus Christ – The need to engage in work as an act of worship Lessons from the Life of Jesus – Embracing the example of Jesus in moving with a sense of peace and purpose – Encouragement to be fully present in the moment and view interruptions as divine appointments Changes and Transition in Podcasting Journey – Decision to put the By His Grace podcast and Spark Influence podcast on hold – Transitioning to new opportunities and creating more space for both in-person and online interactions – Commitment to first loves, faith, and family as the journey continues Evolution of Spark Media and Upcoming Projects – Commitment to growth, innovation, and better serving the community – Plans to continue teaching and encouraging through podcasting, writing, and speaking – Collaboration with For The One Studios and Ester Press to provide creative podcast and media solutions Changes and Updates within Spark Media – Changes in the Spark Media network and the Spark collective – Streamlining online presence and continued commitment to providing high-quality podcast resources – Plans for more personalized consulting and tailored sessions for aspiring podcasters Invitations to Upcoming Events and Collaborations – Announcement of speaking engagements at various events – Collaboration with organizations and the invitation to subscribe to the Spark Media newsletter – Plans for meetups and speaking engagements in the new year Expression of Gratitude and Closing Remarks – Gratitude for the continued support and enthusiasm – Request for prayers for continued clarity and wisdom – Encouragement to stay connected through email and social media – Expressing honor and privilege in serving the audience through the podcasts Download Misty’s latest devotional, People Get Ready!  Stay connected with Spark Media  Connect with Misty on Social Media  Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, The post Milestones and Transitions: By His Grace Podcast’s Journey and Future Plans appeared first on By His Grace.

Welcome to another episode of the By His Grace podcast. In today’s episode titled,”Jonathan Ayala: The Transformative Power of Seed” we have a special guest who shares a passion for the concept of planting seeds and what God does with them. Our guest, Jonathan Ayala  met the host through the Spark Media Facebook group and their connection was instant. Misty and Jonathan delve into the idea that Earth, our home, is not a place we should wish to escape from, but rather a place designed by God for us to fulfill our destinies. They discuss the significance of planting seeds, both physically and metaphorically, and the faith required to trust in the process. Join us as we explore the power of seeds and the transformative nature of faith on this insightful episode. Jonathan shared his passion for understanding our purpose on Earth and the significance of being a seed. He emphasized how God created us uniquely for this world, with a destiny to fulfill that no other creature can achieve. Earth, Jonathan believes, is a place where God’s invisibility challenges us to walk by faith and listen to His voice. We are called to die to ourselves, letting go of our current identities, and embrace the identity God has designed for us. Just as in planting a physical seed, there is a process of faith, dying, and transformation that leads to fruitful results. The conversation expanded to reflect on the importance of time and patience in the process of growth. Just like a seed takes time to sprout and bear fruit, our journey as Christians often involves a continuous sanctification process that takes time to mature. Our faith and trust in God’s promises play a significant role in this process, as faith enables us to partake in the divine nature even before we witness the fulfillment of those promises. It is through walking in faith, believing in what is unseen, that we experience internal transformation and find true pleasure in pleasing God. Episode Summary Introduction and Background of Jonathan. The Concept of Being a Seed and Planting Seeds. Influenced by a pastor’s teaching. Previous belief in wanting to escape Earth. Recognition that Earth was made by God for us. Earth as a place of faith and invisibility of God. Importance of planting seeds and dying to self. Transformation and being born into God’s identity. Analogy of planting physical seeds and having faith for their growth. Reaping the Harvest and Divine Promises. Receiving the blessings of promises before seeing them. Transformation through faith even before manifestation. Importance of internal transformation and walking by faith. Comparison to Abraham’s faith and righteousness. Temporality of Earth and greater value in being transformed by faith. Pleasing God through walking in promises now. Faith, Action, and Works– Faith as accounted for righteousness. Faith requiring action and works. Relation to the Bible study “The Struggle Is Real, but So is God” Mention of Abraham as an example. Purpose of faith and works complementing each other Here are 3 key takeaways from our conversation: We are designed for Earth: While many of us may have been taught to long for heaven and escape this earthly realm, it’s important to remember that God created us for a purpose here on Earth. He has given us a unique destiny to walk in, and Earth is the only place where seeds can be planted and bring forth abundant fruit. Walking by faith: As we plant seeds, whether physically or spiritually, there is a process of faith and belief involved. We may not see the immediate results, but it is in this waiting period that our faith is strengthened and transformed. Ultimately, the real value lies in the internal transformation and the trust we place in God’s promises.  Faith in action: Our faith requires action. It’s not enough to simply believe in God’s promises; we must also take steps and work towards them. Just like Abraham, who believed and stepped out in faith, we too are called to actively participate in the manifestation of God’s promises. Our faith and works go hand in hand. I encourage you to check out the full episode of the “By His Grace” podcast to gain more insights into the power of seed planting and how it can impact our lives. The post Jonathan Ayala: The Transformative Power of Seed appeared first on By His Grace.

Welcome back to another enlightening episode of “By His Grace.” In today’s episode, we have the privilege of diving into the incredible journey of Tyler Childs, the founder of Parable International. Tyler’s story is one of faith, surrender, and the power of embracing God’s calling. From working in video production to stepping onto the mission field, Tyler’s life took an unexpected turn that would forever reshape his perspective. Join us as we explore how Tyler’s obedience led him to launch a non-profit organization dedicated to equipping ministries to pursue creative excellence. Tyler’s authenticity and vulnerability will inspire you to embrace your own God-given dreams and trust in His plan, no matter how unconventional it may seem. Get ready to be motivated to wake up to the greatness within you as we dive into Tyler Childs’ incredible journey on this episode of “By His Grace.”. Episode Summary Tyler’s journey in video production took an unexpected turn when the pandemic forced him and his family to reevaluate their priorities. What began as a sabbatical and a leap of faith led them to launch the non-profit organization, Parable International, which aims to bring creative excellence to Christian content. Parable International is a ministry dedicated to training creatives to pursue excellence in entertainment. Through media, education, filmmaking, and most recently, literature, we strive to help dreamers achieve their creative callings in life. Tyler’s story is a testament to God’s guidance and provision as he and his family embarked on a life-changing adventure. From selling their house and embracing a simpler life in a 36-foot RV to navigating the challenges of living on the road with three young children, Tyler shares how surrendering to God’s plan opened doors and brought unexpected opportunities. This journey also led him to write a book, not just for creatives, but for everyone, reminding us that we are all born to be creative. Prayer & Creativity We also explore the correlation between prayer and creativity, as Tyler discovered the power of inviting the Holy Spirit into the creative process. The results were astounding as churches and ministries experienced positive shifts in their culture and witnessed the Holy Spirit’s inspiration reflected in their artistic endeavors. Awaken O Dreamer:Your Creativity Awaits In this episode, Tyler encourages dreamers to wake up and embrace their potential for greatness in various fields, whether it be accounting, engineering, film, or ministry. He emphasizes that everyone has the capacity for imagination and creativity and that God has uniquely called each of us to invite him into our creative pursuits. Trust God As we reflect on Tyler’s story, remember that surrender and trust in God’s plan are vital as we navigate challenges in our lives. Just as Tyler stepped out in faith despite not fully understanding the path ahead, may we also find the courage to follow God’s instructions even when they don’t align with our own understanding. Lastly, we want to express our appreciation to God for the unique gifts and callings placed in every heart. We pray for a fresh wind of creativity, correction of lies that hinder our progress, and the filling of any voids with wisdom and direction from the Holy Spirit. May we all courageously walk in our callings and awaken the dreamers around us. About Tyler Childs TYLER W. CHILDS is a filmmaking missionary, passionate about storytelling and equipping the next generation to pursue creative excellence. His projects have taken him to over 15 countries and include both feature films and television shows with networks such as National Geographic. His new book, Awaken O Dreamer, calls upon creatives to awaken the dreams that may have slipped into slumber. Explore what it means to partner with the Lord in the creative process and practice submitting ideas to Him. Learn how to place your identity in Christ instead of your art. Focus on telling good stories that glorify God and pursue a new level of creativity. Key Takeaways Surrendering to God’s Plan: Tyler and their family took a leap of faith by embarking on a 6-month sabbatical to serve with YWAM in East Texas. They learned the value of surrendering control and trusting in God’s guidance. Pursuing Creative Excellence: Recognizing the need for entertainment training in ministry, Tyler founded Parable International, a non-profit organization that equips ministries to pursue creative excellence. From workshops to a pioneering film school, they bring excellence to Christian content. Awakening the Dreamer Within: Tyler urges dreamers to wake up and realize their potential for greatness. They believe that everyone is born to be creative and encourage listeners to invite God into their work and find fresh solutions in all aspects of life. Thank you for listening to By His Grace, and for being a valued member of the By His Grace community. We are grateful for your support, and we hope that each episode inspires and encourages you on your journey of faith.   The post Dreamers Awakening: Unlocking Your Potential for Greatness and Creativity appeared first on By His Grace.

Welcome back to another episode of “By His Grace.” I’m your host Misty Phillip, and today we have an incredibly powerful and thought-provoking episode for you. In this installment, we delve into the importance of excellence in Christian Media, storytelling, the impact it has on our perception of reality, and how it shapes our culture. Our guest, Terry Weaver, shares their personal journey with storytelling, from experiencing captivating narratives in the military to immersing themselves in the role of a character for a production called “Breaking Strongholds.” Terry’s exploration of character development led them to spend time with a former marine and detective, delving into the world of interrogations and investigations. Terry’s storytelling adventure didn’t stop there. They also wrote a captivating backstory for their character, which eventually transformed into a separate novel. This backstory provided a foundation for their acting and tapped into the power of personal stories. During a prayer breakfast in Texas, Terry met someone who had an eye-opening encounter with the alarming tactics being used to target families and children, and it stirred a passion within them to create films that inspire hope. Terry explored the need for high-quality Christian entertainment that tackles the pressing issues faced by young people today. We also dive into Terry’s ongoing project, the second season of the gripping show “Breaking Strongholds,” which deals with tough topics and cannot seek funding from traditional Hollywood studios. They rely on the support of local communities and generous donors to bring this impactful series to life. Additionally, Terry highlights the harmful influence of shows like “Euphoria,” and their determination to counter that with storytelling that empowers and uplifts.We cannot wait to share this episode with you as we unpack the power of stories, the danger of destructive narratives, and the potential for positive change through the art of storytelling. So grab your headphones, settle in, and join us for this captivating episode of “By His Grace.” BREAKING STRONGHOLDS is a faith-based mystery drama series that keeps viewers guessing while addressing serious cultural issues. The show centers around a high-school teacher gone missing and the family of Detective Ethan James, whose son, unbeknownst to him, is considering suicide to escape the pain from the loss of his mother. All the while, a small Texas town is distracted and deceived by the arrival of world-renowned, best-selling author and thought leader, Redmond Quinn. Reflective Media Breaking Strongholds TV Facebook Reflective Media Productions Youtube Breaking Strongholds TV Instagram Suicide Prevention At Spark Media, we empower faith-based podcasters through live and virtual events, a thriving membership community, a podcast network, and a magazine.  Spark Media Ignite Conference 4 The One Studios Show notes powered by CastMagic   The post Stories that Shape: Unveiling the Power of Narrative in Shaping Culture and Lives appeared first on By His Grace.

Welcome back to another inspiring episode of “By His Grace.” In today’s episode, we have the incredible privilege of hearing from the remarkable Patricia Holbrook. Patricia’s faith journey is one that many can relate to, as she shares her struggles, doubts, and fears in navigating through a fallen world. Despite these challenges, she found solace in the support and encouragement of her brothers and sisters in faith. Summary Patricia’s story takes us on a transformative journey of seeking God and making profound changes in her life. In her book, she guides us through the process of evaluating our spiritual state, challenging our beliefs, and establishing practices that strengthen our faith. Patricia reminds us that the goal is not to become a “super Christian,” but to be honest about our struggles and seek growth and healing. As we dive deeper into Patricia’s story, she openly discusses the prevalence of anxiety and depression among women in the church. While she recognizes the importance of therapy and medication, she firmly believes that solely relying on them is not enough. She shares her conviction in the power within us to be healed, coached, helped, and trained by God.Recently, Patricia launched a new website called “Seeking the Abundant Life,” where her hope is to inspire women to seek the abundant life through interviews and courses. She shares practical approaches to the spiritual journey, emphasizing the significance of scripture reading, prayer, and surrounding ourselves with positive influences. Key Topics Introduction to Patricia Holbrook and her ministry, Soaring with Him. Personal struggles and experiences of faith. Living in a fallen world generates fears and doubts. Having supportive sisters and brothers in faith. Overview of Patricia Holbrook’s book on seeking God and making changes in life. Evaluating spiritual state and faith walk. Examining and challenging beliefs about God, oneself, and others. Establishing spiritual practices and rhythms. Taking responsibility for nurturing a strong faith. Patricia believes that many women believers are not living in victory. Impact of anxiety and depression on women in the church. Acknowledgment of the importance of medication and therapy, but not sole reliance on them. Power within us to heal and be coached by God. Introduction to Patricia Holbrook’s new website, Seeking the Abundant Life. Inspiration and encouragement for women through interviews and courses. Assurance to struggling women that they are not alone. Acknowledgment of the challenges of keeping faith. Practical approaches to spiritual journey– Reading and memorizing scripture, Praying and speaking out scripture,  Spending time with positive, faith-aligned people.   Introduction to Soaring with Him Ministries and its history and her Initial focus on blog writing and speaking at women’s events. Launch of the She Source conference, addressing women’s struggles. Description of the Agape Shelter program and collaboration with House of Cherith. Serving women who have experienced sex trafficking, abuse, or dangerous situations. Helping women discover their identity in Christ through a 15-month program. Soaring With Him Patricia also takes us on a captivating journey through the creation and growth of her ministry, Soaring with Him. We learn about the annual She Source conference, addressing various struggles that women face, and the outreach programs focused on bible literacy, the Agape Shelter initiative, and partnerships with other organizations.With her sincere faith, Patricia reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles. Her steadfast belief in the power of words, the importance of personal choices, and the need to take responsibility for nurturing a strong faith are sure to inspire and encourage us on our own spiritual journeys.So, join us as we listen to Patricia Holbrook’s captivating story, embrace her wisdom, and discover the profound truth that lies in bridging the gap between the knowledge of God and the depths of our hearts. Get ready to soar above circumstances and embrace the abundant life God has in store for us.  About Patricia Holbrook Patricia Holbrook is the founder and president of Soaring with Him Ministries, a faith columnist, international speaker, author, podcaster and Bible teacher. Patricia has been featured as a faith columnist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The AJC is the largest newspaper in the South, reaching 2.3 million readers weekly in Georgia, Alabama and north of Florida. She is also a guest writer for Christian magazines and blogs, and a content contributor for iDisciple and YouVersion. On her podcast, “God-Sized Stories with Patricia Holbrook,” where she interviews actors, actresses, movie directors and some of the most known best-selling authors in America. Patricia’s first book, “Twelve Inches – Bridging the Gap between what you know about God and how you feel” was published in 2015 and ranked #1 in its category for nine weeks on Amazon. Website Patriciaholbrook.com Thank you for listening to the By HIs Grace podcast. We’d love to hear from you! Please leave us a review on wherever you listen to podcasts and be sure to share this with a friend. The post Soaring Above Circumstances: Patricia Holbrook’s Inspiring Journey to an Abundant Life appeared first on By His Grace.

On this episode of By His Grace, we delve into the intriguing topic of holy gems. Our discussion begins with Isaiah 54:11, a Bible verse that promises God will lay the foundations of Israel with sapphires and border it with precious stones. Despite this mention, no one had ever attempted to find these gems until recently. In a fascinating turn of events, a highly influential Jewish leader, the Lubavicherbi, met with the mayor of Haifa, a city in northern Israel. This meeting sparked curiosity about the presence of gems in Israel, specifically the discovery of the Carmel Sapphire in the Zebulun Valley, known as the Kishon Bend. We explore the significance of this discovery, as the Zebulun tribe in the Bible was blessed with wealth and treasures. The location of the Carmel Sapphire aligns with the story of Isaiah and the Kishon River, highlighting the remarkable natural phenomenon that complements the spiritual and historical significance of the land. We also discuss the media’s interest in this story and the positive and supportive reaction from the public. It is important to note that Israel has natural resources like gas and oil, which are considered a possession of the government, leading to profit from their exploration and sale. The government and country actively support efforts in exploring and mining these treasures. Our guest, Tali, shares a deeply personal connection to this topic as her father, inspired by faith and the Bible, dedicated his life and resources to finding these precious gems. After facing skepticism and challenges, her company finally received a certificate of discovery in 2020 for unearthing the first economic deposit of gems in Israel. Tali and her family have continued her father’s legacy through their jewelry brand, Holy Gem, which aims to make these gems accessible to people. They control the entire production process to ensure transparency and certainty for customers, providing a certificate of origin through their international brand, Hologens. They even have a visitor center in Akko, where visitors can witness the gem-finding process firsthand. Misty expresses their admiration for Tali’s family’s dedication and the power and truth found in God’s word, we learn that Holy Gem plans to expand by opening stores in the US next year. With potential deposits and licenses covering areas in the north of Israel, including the diamond-rich Carmel Mountain, the company is on the verge of commercializing and sharing these unique gems with the public. With regular sapphires, red garnets, and black spinels being well-known gemstones, the highlight of Holy Gem’s collection is the rare Carmel Sapphire. Its composition along with unique and previously unknown minerals, makes it a one-of-a-kind gem formed under the exceptional conditions found only in the Holy Land. Join us as we delve into the depths of this remarkable story, exploring the connection between faith, science, and the beauty of God’s creation. Discover the incredible work Holy Gem is doing and the treasures they have uncovered in their pursuit of bringing holy gems to the world. Stay tuned for an inspiring conversation that will enlighten and uplift your spirit. Tali Shalem CEO of Holy Gems Holy Gems™ is an international luxury jewelry brand, the owner of the exclusive rights of marketing all precious certified gems mined from the first deposit of precious gems ever discovered in the Holy Land of Israel. Scripture Reference The Eternal Covenant of Peace 54 “Sing, O barren one, who did not bear;     break forth into singing and cry aloud,     you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more     than the children of her who is married,” says the Lord.2 “Enlarge the place of your tent,     and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords     and strengthen your stakes.3 For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left,     and your offspring will possess the nations     and will people the desolate cities. 4 “Fear not, for you will not be ashamed;     be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth,     and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.5 For your Maker is your husband,     the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer,     the God of the whole earth he is called.6 For the Lord has called you     like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off,     says your God.7 For a brief moment I deserted you,     but with great compassion I will gather you.8 In overflowing anger for a moment     I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,”     says the Lord, your Redeemer. 9 “This is like the days of Noah[a] to me:     as I swore that the waters of Noah     should no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you,     and will not rebuke you.10 For the mountains may depart     and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,     and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,”     says the Lord, who has compassion on you. 11 “O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted,    behold, I will set your stones in antimony,    and lay your foundations with sapphires.[b]12 I will make your pinnacles of agate,[c]     your gates of carbuncles,[d]     and all your wall of precious stones.13 All your children shall be taught by the Lord,     and great shall be the peace of your children.14 In righteousness you shall be established;     you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear;     and from terror, for it shall not come near you.15 If anyone stirs up strife,     it is not from me; whoever stirs up strife with you     shall fall because of you.16 Behold, I have created the smith     who blows the fire of coals     and produces a weapon for its purpose. I have also created the ravager to destroy;17     no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,     and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord     and their vindication[e] from me, declares the Lord.” I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who call you by your name. Isaiah 45:3 ESV   The post Tali Shalem Taub: Unearthing Israel’s Holy Gems: Exploring the Unseen Treasures of the Promised Land appeared first on By His Grace.

On this episode of By His Grace, our guest is National Police Association spokes person Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith, a retired police officer with a long and distinguished career in law enforcement. Sgt. Smith shares her experiences and insights into the challenges and dangers faced by police officers on a daily basis. She addresses the negative portrayal of law enforcement in the media and emphasizes the importance of understanding local police departments and their day-to-day activities. Sgt. Brantner Smith highlights the value of programs like the Citizens Police Academy, which provides participants with hands-on experiences, from visiting different police divisions to spending a night in jail. These experiences enhance our understanding and empathy for law enforcement. With retirements up by 45% and ongoing understaffing in law enforcement agencies, there is a critical need for young individuals to consider a career in law enforcement. Sgt. Smith also discusses the need for young people to pursue careers in law enforcement, as many police departments are currently understaffed. Sgt. Brantner Smith encourages organizations like Turning Point to inspire and recruit young people to join the profession. The National Police Association advocates for citizens to pay attention to local elections, such as those for county prosecutors, board of supervisors, school boards, and sheriffs. It’s important to support candidates who prioritize the safety and protection of communities. Misty Phillip is also joined by her husband Peter Phillip who shares his experience with the Citizens Police Academy, which allows participants to get a hands-on experience of being a police officer, and encourages everyone to go through it for increased awareness and empathy. He also shares the importance of honoring those who protect and serve. Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith Sgt Betsy Branter Smith retired in 2009 as a 29-year veteran of a large metropolitan police department in the Chicago suburbs. Beginning her career as a police dispatcher at age 17, Betsy became an officer four years later and has held positions in patrol, investigations, narcotics, juvenile, hostage negotiation, crime prevention and field training.  She received her four year degree from Western Illinois University in 1991, and was a class officer and graduate of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety’s School of Staff and Command in May of 2001. As a sergeant, she supervised her department’s K-9 Unit, served as a field training sergeant, recruitment team sergeant, bike patrol coordinator, Crowd Control Bike Team leader, and supervisor of the Community Education/Crime Prevention Unit.  Betsy served on the Elderly Services Team, the Crisis Intervention Team, and was a proud founding supervisory member of NPD’s Honor Guard Unit.  Betsy received numerous awards and commendations from her police department as well as many local and national awards for her performance as a police officer and supervisor. From 1999 – 2003 Betsy hosted various training programs and was a content expert for the Law Enforcement Television Network (LETN), is currently an on-air commentator and advisor for the Police One Academy and was a featured character in the Biography Channel’s “Female Forces” reality show. She has been a law enforcement trainer for over 20 years and was a content expert and senior instructor for the Calibre Press “Street Survival” seminar from 2003 through 2012 where she also created the “Street Survival for Women” seminar.  Betsy is a popular keynote speaker at conferences and events throughout the United States and has trained in various international venues. Since 1995, Betsy has authored hundreds of articles for law enforcement, government and civilian publications including Innovations in Government, Police Marksman, Law and Order, Police Chief, Law Officer, PoliceLink.com, PoliceOne.com, LawOfficer.com and various civilian firearms magazines through Harris Publications including “Combat Handguns.” She served on the advisory board of Police Marksman magazine, is currently a featured columnist and video contributor on both Officer.Com and PoliceOne.Com, and is an author, spokesman, and program host for the National Police Association. National Police Association The National Police Association defends law enforcement agencies, officers, their supporters and the public using litigation, communications, activism, and advocacy. In addition to filing our own lawsuits and FOIA requests, the NPA reviews lawsuits with the potential to create negative precedents in public safety, officer safety and constitutional rights. Dave Smith & Associates This episode sheds light on the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers and the importance of appreciating and supporting them. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the realities of police work and how we can show our gratitude to those who serve and protect our communities. The post Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith: Honoring the Red, White, and THE BLUE appeared first on By His Grace.

This podcast contains material for entertainment/informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your own doctor about medical questions. The episode features an interview with Dr. Stella Emmanuel, who gained recognition for her views on COVID treatments and her speech on the steps of the Supreme Court. She shares her story and perspectives on spiritual and physical preparedness for difficult times. The conversation touches on biblical references, concerns about digitalization, the state of the church, and the urgent need for waking up and repentance. On this episode of By His Grace, join host Misty Philip as she interviews Dr. Stella Emmanuel, a passionate physician and minister of the gospel living in Houston. Originally from Cameroon, Dr. Emmanuel shares her personal journey and experiences in the medical field throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. During the episode, Dr. Emmanuel discusses the importance of Christians living with eternity in mind and emphasizes the need for the church to wake up and disciple believers. She highlights the prevalence of sin and iniquity within the church and the need for repentance and preparation for difficult times. Dr. Emmanuel also delves into her concerns about the global economic landscape, discussing the digitalization of the world economy and the introduction of central bank digital currency (CBD). She shares her belief that these developments may align with the prophecy in Revelation 13 about a required mark for buying and selling. The conversation further explores Dr. Emmanuel’s experiences advocating for alternative treatments, such as hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin, for COVID-19. She discusses the opposition and attacks she faced when speaking about the effectiveness of these treatments and encourages individuals to be physically and spiritually prepared amidst the ongoing challenges. With a focus on the need for revival and a return to the true gospel, Dr. Emmanuel appeals for Christians to take responsibility and stand against the moral decline in society. She urges the church to cry out to God for mercy and emphasizes the importance of being prepared for the persecution and pain that may precede the Lord’s return. Throughout the episode, Misty Philip engages with Dr. Emmanuel’s insights and experiences, offering a thought-provoking discussion that encourages listeners to examine their own faith and readiness for the times ahead. Be sure to tune in to this powerful episode of By His Grace. Topics Covered 1. Living in Sin and the Call to Wake Up:– Many people in the church are living in sin and iniquity, which will prevent them from entering heaven.– Christians need to wake up and start living with eternity in mind. 2. Being Prepared for Difficult Times:– It is important to be prepared for difficult times by stocking up on food, water, medication, and other essentials.– Unbelievers will come to the church for support during challenging times, and the church needs to be prepared to provide both physical necessities and spiritual guidance.– Some people may compromise their beliefs, such as taking the mark or getting vaccinated, for convenience or to provide for their families. 3. Concerns about Digitalization and Centralization of Money:– World Economic Forum is discussing digitalizing the world economy.– Central bank digital currency (CBD) is being introduced, which will centralize money.– Bill Gates has proposed a quantum dot tattoo that can store biometric information and money.– This system is launching on July 1.– It is believed to align with the prophecy in Revelation 13 about a mark required for buying and selling. 4. Speaking Out and Facing Opposition:– Dr Stella realized that the COVID-19 response was not based on science and believes COVID-19 was used as a cover for promoting the vaccine and transhumanism. She decided to speak out about their beliefs and went to Washington, DC and demanded that Anthony Fauci provide evidence for his claims. The speech with the Frontline doctors went viral, gaining 20 million views within a few hours.– They were subsequently attacked by CNN and others. Dr Stella started a tele-health service and treated over 150,000 people with hydroxychloroquine, successfully keeping many out of hospitals. 5. Importance of Being in the Word of God and Repenting:– Dr Stella emphasizes the importance of being in the word of God and having a relationship with Jesus.– Repenting from sins is highlighted as a way to avoid shame when God returns.– The excerpt discusses the importance of reading and understanding the Bible for Christians.– There is concern about Christians being distracted by media and technology, leading to a lack of desire for God.– Churches are accused of becoming more like entertainment centers rather than places of worship. 6. Preparation for the End Times:– Dr Stella mentions a ranch in Texas where revival programs are held to help people reconnect with their faith.– The speaker also discusses a 100-day prayer program and claims that there are non-human creatures among us.– The focus is on praying for God’s mercy and waking people up to the truth before it’s too late.– There is skepticism about the belief in a pre-tribulation rapture in the church.– She expresses concern about the moral state of many Christians and questions how many will be raptured if it were to happen today, and argues that the rapture will happen after the tribulation and not before. She mentions that God’s wrath will be released after the church is raptured.– Dr Stella emphasizes the need for people to be prepared for the times and encourages reading books like Revelation, Matthew 24, Daniel, to understand eschatology. 7. The Story of Dr. Stella Emmanuel:– The speaker is a physician and minister of the gospel living in Houston.– They went to medical school in Africa and are originally from Cameroon.– They discovered that hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin were effective in treating COVID patients.– They faced opposition and attacks when speaking about the effectiveness of these treatments.– In July 2020, they attended a pro conference in Washington DC organized by Symongo.– During this conference, they had a moment on the steps of the supreme court where their voice was used to break fear and panic worldwide. 8. Spiritual and Physical Preparedness:– The speaker emphasizes the importance of being spiritually and physically prepared.– They encourage people who have taken the COVID vaccine to repent and ask for God’s forgiveness, claiming that God can regenerate them.– They do not believe that the vaccine is the mark of the beast, but suggest it is a precursor to accepting surveillance technology.– The speaker criticizes pastors who accepted money from the government to open vaccine centers, accusing them of corruption.– They call for a return to the true gospel and a time of revival and crying out to God. 9. Urgency and Responsibility for Christians:– The speaker expresses frustration and sadness over the state of the current generation and urges Christians to take responsibility for allowing the devil to take over.– The host, Misty Philip, is interested in hearing about Doctor Stella Emmanuel’s story and what led her to that moment.– COVID did not hit Africa, particularly Sub Saharan Africa, because malaria is endemic and people take over-the-counter medicines for fevers.– The CDC and FDA are refusing to give accessible and inexpensive medicines for COVID, resulting in unnecessary deaths.– The speaker advises people to be prepared and take necessary precautions.– The battle has moved beyond COVID, and people should focus on their jobs and the challenges they face.– The speaker discusses biblical references to COVID and the need for the church to wake up and disciple believers.– Humanity is facing an existential threat and needs to cry out to God for mercy.– There will be persecution and pain before the Lord comes to take out the church. The church needs to be aware and prepared.– The speaker advises stocking up on food, water, and medicines for when things get worse. Pray for America Vax Detox Scripture References Revelation 13 ESV – The First Beast 13 And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. 2 And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. 4 And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” 5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling,[a] that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them.[b] And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, 8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear: 10 If anyone is to be taken captive,     to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword,     with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. The Second Beast 11 Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence,[c] and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. 13 It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, 14 and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of[d] the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. 16 Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave,[e] to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 17 so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.[f] Matthew 24 ESV – Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple 24 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” Signs of the End of the Age 3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away[a] and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. The Abomination of Desolation 15 “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, 18 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 19 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. The Coming of the Son of Man 29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. The Lesson of the Fig Tree 32 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. No One Knows That Day and Hour 36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son,[b] but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left.41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant,[c] whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants[d] and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51 and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The post Dr Stella Emmanuel: A Wake Up Call to the Church appeared first on By His Grace.

On this episode of By His Grace, host Misty Phillip discusses the complex issue of transgenderism with guests Riley Gaines and Pamela Garfield-Jaeger. Misty introduces the topic by looking at scriptures. Riley shares her experience of competing against a biological male in the NCAA Women’s Swimming Championship, which inspired her to fight against gender denying ideologies. Pamela talks about the dangers of affirming care and mental health services, which can harm people who struggle with gender identity issues. The episode also covers the physical and emotional harm caused by harmful content, and the importance of standing firm and not compromising. Biographies Riley Gaines, a 12 time All-American swimmer with 5 SEC titles was a successful female swimmer at University of Kentucky with ambitions to pursue a dental degree. That post-graduate ambition and her entire life was changed when she was forced to share a locker room and then compete against biological male Lia Thomas at the 2022 NCAA Women’s Swimming Championship.This uneven challenge, not just for Riley but for every woman competing in the pool that day, was made even more traumatic when the NCAA officials insisted on giving Lia Thomas the trophy, despite tying Riley down to the hundredth of a second in the event. Riley can recall wondering why no one was standing up for her or for any women in the room. This moment became her call to action – to defend and protect America’s daughters against the woke left and their gender-denying ideology. Biological men should not take opportunities for success in sports away from women. Biological men should not share locker rooms with women. Join Riley today and help Protect America’s Daughters. Connect with Riley Gaines on Twitter Pamela Garfield-Jaeger is a licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience in community based agencies, home visits, hospitals, and schools. She obtained her degree from New York University in 1999. Unfortunately, in 2016, Pamela was diagnosed with a rare health condition that left her disabled and unable to work for four years. During this time, our country became more divided. Despite the setback, Pamela remains dedicated to helping others through her work as a social worker. Connect with the Truthful Therapist on IG [00:00:14] Podcast discusses transgenderism, women’s sports challenges. [00:04:00] Trans athlete wins, causes tie, controversy. [00:08:07] Don’t get discouraged, majority supports athletes. [00:11:12] Therapist speaks out against woke ideology. [00:15:33] Lupron: Reversible or irreversible side effects? [00:17:04] Docusrama on harmful effects of transgenderism. Biblical References So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” – Genesis 1:27-28 ESV Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality. – 1 Corinthians 6:9 ESV Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. – 1 Corinthians 6:18 ESV But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. – 1 Corinthians 7:2 ESV God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.  Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.  They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. –Romans 1:18-32 ESV A woman shall not wear a man’s garment, nor shall a man put on a woman’s cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God. – Deuteronomy 22:5 ESV Topics: Swimming Competition and Transgenderism Riley had plans to compete at national championships while in college, when she competed against a male athlete who had recently transitioned from men’s to women’s team. Although they tied, Leah Thomas won 200 freestyle, and the NCAA official gave trophy to Leah Thomas for pictures. Female Athletes and Unfair Advantages Many female athletes get discouraged when facing unfair advantages. We need to stand firm and not compromise despite the challenges. Overwhelming support for female athletes facing this issue.  New Docudrama on Gender Transformation Gender Transformation: The Untold RealitiesThe transgender movement has recently gained national attention; from the recent controversy of big corporations like Budweiser and Target over their support for the transgender movement, to transgender competitors outperforming female athletes and male prisoners identifying as trans to transfer into female prisons. A new trend has emerged among children who are being taught at young ages that they can choose their own gender. What is behind the rise of transgender movement today? And what are the implications on our children and youth? Coming out on June 19th on Epoch TV Reenacts real-life stories and shows the harm  Parents Guide to Mental Health Pamela has created online classes for parents. Encourages parents to speak out against CRT, gender ideology, and victim mentality. Criticism of Gender Ideology Effects of hormones and surgeries for transition are being dismissed. Use of puberty blockers can lead to sterilization and physical problems. The Truthful Therapist is an advocate for parents, families, and therapists who oppose gender ideology. Speaker’s Personal Journey Experienced a health problem that forced her to leave work. Came back to work in 2021 and noticed changes in gender ideology and victim mentality. Displaced again for choosing not to get the COVID vaccine. Keywords: docusrama, harmful content, reenactment, emotions, harm, families, individuals, young people, society, documentary, swimming, national championships, Leah Thomas, transgenderism, mental health, parents guide, online classes, woke ideology, CRT, affirming care, discrimination, puberty blockers, gender ideology, therapy, Lupron, physical problems, female athletes, unfair advantages, media portrayal, health problem, surgeries, COVID vaccine, hijacking of profession, masking. The post Transgenderism: A Biblical Perspective appeared first on By His Grace.

“On this episode of By His Grace, host Misty Phillip interviews Doris Swift at the NRB conference about her new book, “Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You.” Doris talks about the importance of finding joy even during difficult times and how it can help us share our love for Jesus. Misty and Doris discuss surrendering our joy stealers to God and finding strength in Jesus’ joy. The episode also delves into the Fierce Calling podcast, the personal relationship with Jesus, and the importance of surrendering everything to God, using our experiences for God’s glory.” Doris Swift In ministry for over 30 years, it’s Doris’s joy to encourage and equip women to walk deeper in God’s word and take action where their PASSION, COMPASSION, and CONVICTION intersect, in other words, their Fierce Calling. I’m an author, speaker, founder of Fierce Calling MInistires, and host of the award-winning Fierce Calling Podcast. Book Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You Topics Covered The Importance of Joy, The Book of John’s Approach to Joy, Finding Joy in Difficult Times, The Surrendering of Joy Stealers, The Fierce Calling Podcast, Abiding in Jesus for Joy, Building a Personal Relationship with Jesus, The Value of Transparency and Overcoming Shame Joy can shift perspectives and help others share their love for Jesus. The Book of John emphasizes surrendering joy stealers and abiding in Him. Author’s book on joy includes a foreword by Suzanne Eller and encourages readers to find more information about its author. Speaker expresses gratitude for Misty’s endorsement and encouragement during hurricane season. Speaker “lives through” their book on joy after their home floods and finds strength despite feeling exhausted.  “Joy of the Lord is your strength” message encourages seeking refuge and building strength in Jesus’ joy. Sharing stories of personal struggles and surrendering joy stealers to Jesus is key to finding renewed joy and peace. Fierce Calling podcast seeks to inspire and provide listeners straightforward application of biblical truth.  Abiding in Jesus’s love and pruning by the Father helps bear more fruit and experience the joy of Jesus. Building a personal relationship with Christ is essential to abide and experience Jesus’s joy. Surrendering everything to Jesus can redeem all messes for God’s glory.  Overcoming shame and finding transparency can brighten any situation and bring us closer to Jesus. Time Stamps Live from NRB conference, interviewer excited to speak with Doris about her new book “Surrender the Joy Stealers” and her resilient attitude despite life’s obstacles. At an event, women anonymously shared their joy stealers and surrendered them to God. The speaker was moved by the struggles they faced and inspired a study to work through their issues and surrender them to God. “Fierce Calling” podcast features guests sharing stories of their passionate and compassionate work, offering practical biblical truths to inspire listeners to pursue their own calling for God’s kingdom. Abide in Jesus to experience his joy; pruning leads to more fruit; joy is not dependent on circumstances.  Don’t hide secrets, surrender to God, and use experiences for his glory; woman had a teen pregnancy and felt shame until meeting Jesus. Confessing junk is freeing; care what Jesus thinks, not people; the enemy isolates us but Jesus can redeem messes.  Choose joy even in difficult times, read Doris’ Book of John study for love and Jesus. Endorsed by Suzanne Eller. Find Doris and more about the book online. Full Transcript Misty Phillip Doris Swift. Welcome to the By His Grace podcast. My friend. I’m so excited to have you here. Doris Swift Thank you so much for having me, Misty. I’m really excited to be here today. Misty Phillip Yeah. So if you all hear a little noise in the background, I don’t know if we’ll be able to edit it out. But we are live at the NRB conference and I was so excited to see that Doris was going to be here because I wanted to interview her about her new book surrender the Joy. Stealers rediscover the Jesus joy in you. And I had the incredible honor of getting a sneak peek at this before it hit the shelves when she asked me to endorse it. So if you all don’t know Doris, she is just so bubbly and full of joy, and the Jesus joy in her is just so evident. And I know that it’s not just because life’s always been super easy. The fun, funny thing about that is Doris has been working on this Bible study for a while, and she’s gone through a lot of things that could steal her joy, but she’s surrendered those joy stealers. And so I’m thinking, Doris, about you’re in the middle of writing this study and going through that and your entire home floods. Like, how do you have joy when that happens? Doris Swift Yes. First, I want to thank you so much, Misty. It was just such an honor for you to endorse the Bible study, so thank you for that and all those sweet, encouraging words. As always. It was definitely a challenge going through having our home flood after Hurricane Ian came through, and I just was living the book. Oftentimes you hear authors say when they’re writing a book, they’re living through it. And I can honestly say that regardless of what was happening, no matter what, I grabbed hold of the fact that Jesus told us that his joy would be in us, that our joy would be full. And I always grasped hold that my joy was full no matter what, because I had Jesus joy in me to make my joy full. So regardless of how I felt or how exhausted I was, I knew that the joy of the Lord was my strength and that it’s the strength of others. And I want to share that message and encourage other people in that as well. Misty Phillip Absolutely. That’s so good. And you’re right. I don’t know what it is. I’m always leery when I start a new book. Like, do I really want to write about that and what’s going to happen with that? Yeah. Because that can be a whole thing right there. But I love that you said, the joy of the Lord is our strength. It’s our strength. And I think the enemy comes at us in so many different ways and life circumstances and things happen that really try to eat at that joy and try to just take away from our joy. But if we can focus on Jesus and study His Word and get in His Word, that changes our perspective on everything. Doris Swift Amen. And I have spoken with so many women who feel like where they’ve been, what they’ve done, what’s been done to them, or perhaps they’re going through a really challenging or difficult season and just can’t see past it, can’t see that God can use them even in the midst of the difficult seasons in their lives. And I just felt compelled by the Lord to write this study, to encourage women. It’s a six week study, six week Bible study. And the weeks begin with revealing what threatens to steal our joy, because before we can surrender it, we need to name it and we need to recognize what it is. And then we need to respond, which is the second week, by surrendering it to the Lord. And then we need to receive the joy openly and know that we have that joy that Jesus has given us. So to receive what God has for us, and then we are renewed. We want to renew our minds. We want to be renewed and refreshed, and then we want to rest in Him and find rest because we have work to do. Misty Phillip Absolutely, yes. Doris Swift And then the last week is reach because God produces the fruit in and through us, and he wants us to bear abundant fruit and be fruitful. And so what is all that floor? It’s not for us to keep to ourselves. A vine dresser doesn’t plant a vineyard so that he can keep it all to Himself. It’s for others. And so that’s what the Lord wants to do in and through us. And so it is a strategic six week Bible study rooted in John 15, that helps women rediscover the overflowing, ever present Jesus joy within that fills them, empowers them, and ripens the fruit that God produces in their lives. Misty Phillip That’s so beautiful. What inspired you to write this study? Doris Swift There was an event that I spoke at some years ago, I believe it was 2014, and I was speaking on joy, and I asked women to write on little slips of paper what threatened to steal their joy that day. And it was all anonymous. They could write anything they want, and they deposited them into this box up front. And then they took a white carnation as like a symbolism of, yeah, I’m going to release this to God. I’m going to surrender this joy stealer today, and I’m going to take up the joy that Jesus gave me and the peace that he offers. And I don’t really think much about it. I figured there’d be things in that box, like busy schedules and different things that might overwhelm us throughout the day. But when I brought that box home and I just planned to read them and pray over them that the women wouldn’t take them back once they surrendered them. And when I read through each one. By the time I got to the last one, it was like a full on ugly cry because I just was so overwhelmed with compassion for these women who were going through such difficult seasons, and they felt safe to be honest about it, because their name wasn’t on it, but God knew who they were. There were so many things that they were dealing with addictions and marriage struggles and things with their kids and all kinds of things like that. So it just inspired the study so that women can work through their joy sealers, release them to God, because surrender is so key. And so once they can surrender those, it doesn’t mean their circumstances will even change from what they can see. But God is always doing something that they can’t see, and he wants to use them for his glory. Misty Phillip Yeah, absolutely. I’ve experienced that in my own life. Some of the biggest things that I held secret or private that I didn’t want to know anybody to know. But once I released that and was able to speak about it, then, now I have total freedom over it where I didn’t have that before, but now I do. And God’s brought so much healing in my life, but I had to say it, I had to admit it, I had to confess it, I had to surrender it, and then let the Lord do what only he can do. So I have a question for you. What do you hope women are going to get out of this study? Doris Swift I would hope women would grow closer to Jesus and that they would throw off any shame that they’re wearing right now because there’s so many women walking around with shame and the things that threaten to steal their joy. So I would hope that through this book that they can discover what their joy stealers are, what is holding them back, and then surrender it and then walk forward in their purpose and their calling. Their fierce calling. Misty Phillip Yeah, absolutely. We didn’t even touch on this. But Doris, you are the host of the Fierce Calling podcast, and tell everybody about your show if they don’t know your show. Doris Swift Thank you. Yes. On Fierce Calling, I talk with guests who are taking action where their passion, compassion and conviction intersect, which is my definition of a fierce calling because we all have something that we’re passionate about. And I want the guests to come on, share their stories, how God is using them, provide practical ways to apply that biblical truth to their lives, the lives of the listeners, so that then they can step out of any doubt they have and walk in their fierce calling. And the guests come from all walks of life. They come from all different types of ministry, service, and different things in their lives that they’ve experienced. But we’re all connected by our stories, so it is so precious to hear the stories of so many of these guests, and I would usually say women, but I’ve had a few male guests on too. So it’s been really fantastic to see how women have really been able to experience transformation just by hearing how God has brought not only the guests through, but they can look back in their own lives and see, oh yeah, God has brought me through this or that, and I do have something to offer. And what I’ve been through or what I’m going through is something that God can use for the furtherance of the kingdom. Misty Phillip Absolutely. Revelation says that we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. Doris Swift Amen. Misty Phillip And so every time we tell our story, we’re overcoming, and we can help other people to overcome as well. Well, you mentioned shame is one of the big things that people hold on to, whether it’s shame or maybe it’s anger or maybe whatever those particular struggles are that they’re dealing with that really want to rob them of their joy. If someone is struggling with that, what would you tell them? How do they surrender the joy? Doris Swift What is so important, and as we read in John 15, is that Jesus tells us he gives us the keys to experience the joy that he has given us freely, and that is to abide in Him. And abide simply means remain. I know sometimes we can try to make things more difficult or complicated or confusing, but abide means remain, and he tells us to abide in Him. He abides in us, abide in his love as he abides in the Father’s love. And he is the vine, the true vine, and we’re the branches. And the Father is the vine dresser. And a vine dresser intricately and very personally prunes the vines so that they can bear more fruit. And it’s very delicate, it’s very intimate, and it draws us into this beautiful picture of the Trinity of God that we’re part of that. And when we abide in the vine, we will experience the joy that Jesus has already given us, which is what really the Bible study is about, is about the fact that Jesus gave us his joy, gave it to us already. It’s ours. And joy is not dependent on circumstances. It can exist simultaneously with difficult seasons in our lives. It’s not the same as happiness. It’s not based on how we feel. It’s truth. It’s God’s truth, his promise. And we can stand on that. And each day when we awaken, his mercies are new. Every morning, as the Word says. Misty Phillip I hold on to that one every morning. Doris Swift Yeah. Misty Phillip So let’s talk about remaining for a minute. So maybe we have somebody listening who doesn’t really know. They don’t know John 15, they don’t know what we’re talking about. How does someone remain in Christ? How do you stay connected to the vine? Doris Swift Yeah, well, it’s so important to have that personal relationship with Jesus Christ. So if you have not yet surrendered your life to Him, that is the first step and it is a beautiful thing. So many of us may have grown up in churches that never talked that way, that never mentioned anything about a personal relationship. Growing up, I knew who God was. I knew who Jesus was. I knew who the Holy Spirit was. I loved them. I knew who they were about them, but I didn’t know them personally. I didn’t know that I could have a personal relationship with Jesus and that he was my friend, that he was my Lord, and that he was my Savior. So the very first step is to surrender our lives to Christ and just admit we’re sinners. We’re all sinners saved by grace. Misty Phillip All of us are sinners. And it doesn’t matter how big your sin is, because I am, like Paul says, the chief of sinners. And even in the midst of our sin, jesus died that we might have life. He came while we were sinning. So don’t let your sin hold you back, because I think that goes along with that shame. We commit sin. We know it’s wrong. The enemy is our accuser and comes against us, accusing us. And so we feel like we can’t come to the Lord, but that’s where we experience freedom when we come to the Lord, and we just confess our sins. Doris Swift Yeah. And it’s just so freeing for us to do that. And I even wrote a post years ago entitled what if Everyone Found Out? Or something like that. What if everybody found out? Because so many of us have had things buried in the back of our closets and we don’t want anybody to know. And it takes so much energy to keep those things hidden. And we carry so much shame and worry that people would find out the truth. And if they found out, they wouldn’t like us or they would judge us. But the truth is that God knows everything, and we can surrender it all to Him. And he loves us. And maybe we’re not supposed to share it with everyone at once. We don’t want to cast our pearls before swine or what the Bible says, but God will give us opportunities to share our stories with others. And our experiences, good and bad, can be used for his glory. I had a teen pregnancy and I was a teen mom. And for years I carried shame. I wasn’t ashamed of my baby, but I was ashamed because, honestly, you can’t really hide that sin very long. It’s going to come out, people are going to notice. So instead of trying to hide the sin, I hid myself. And I didn’t want to come out. I didn’t want to see any of my friends. And that was a really challenging time in my life. I didn’t know where I fit in. I didn’t feel like I was really still a teenager, couldn’t hang out with my friends. And then I really wasn’t like a mom going to mom’s groups and those kind of things. So it was a difficult season. I had a very hard relationship. The person I was with, I was supposed to marry this person, and he did not turn out to be who he said he was. And it was a really tough time for an 18 year old girl to be going through those things. And for years I carried the shame until I met Jesus. Misty Phillip When you meet Jesus, it changes everything. Doris Swift It changed everything. It just transformed my life. And I threw off the shame. And I even actually, later on, began volunteering at a crisis pregnancy center because I had been through experience like that. I had a supportive family, but some women don’t, and they’re lost as I felt lost. So I could understand that not all of our stories are going to be the same, but we can use those experiences to minister to the hearts of others. And God really uses it in amazing ways. Misty Phillip That is so amazing. And I have my own closet full of junk that you can actually listen to podcasts all over the Internet and find out, because I got to the point with all my stuff, too, that once I confessed it, it was so free. And now I don’t really care what people think because I care what Jesus thinks and he’s the one that I want to please and the one that I want to serve. And so that’s beautiful. And we do have to remember that the enemy doesn’t want that for us, right? So he’s going to isolate us like you were isolated, right? The shame, the guilt, whatever tactic that he has to try to make us feel like people aren’t going to like us or the Lord won’t understand. And I just want to say, and I know you echo it, that that’s bull, right? It’s we need to bring it to Jesus and he can take our biggest messes and turn them into our message and redeem it all. Doris Swift Absolutely. Misty Phillip Well, I want to ask you a question about the Bible. What is your favorite book in the Bible and then why there are so many currently? Doris Swift It’s John. This is the Bible study. Misty Phillip They’re all good. And when you do a Bible study, speaking from personal experience, like, you dive deep into something and it really speaks to you. And John is so rich. I listen to the audible. I listen to Max McLean read the Bible every night before I go to bed. And sometimes I listen longer. It depends on how long it takes me to settle my brain down, but that’s just my sort of way to be calm and quiet and focus on the Lord. And I’ve been listening to John lately, and the Gospels are so rich, so much goodness. Doris Swift They really are. And I love so many of the books. There’s so much good nuggets of truth all throughout that we tend to grab hold of. We’ll quote verses from Philippians and Ephesians. My verse in Ephesians, I believe it’s four. One is to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called. And I love that verse. John is just amazing because, of course, I’ve been studying a lot with a study, but I also love the fact that if you have a new believer or someone that’s just coming to the faith, we can point them to John and say, read John. And you really can get to know Jesus through the Book of John. I also love Esther, which is amazing because the providence of God is all over that book, but yet he’s not mentioned. Misty Phillip I know. Is that amazing? Doris Swift Yeah, it’s so amazing, and it kind of reflects the fact that we can be Jesus to the world and even we want to speak his name, but in some arenas, we might not have the opportunity right then to do it. But the way that we live our life is a living sacrifice to the Lord, and it will bring others to Christ through our grace story, through the way we actually live it out. Because, let’s face it, Christians often are called hypocrites tell us to do this, but you’re not doing it. So the way we live our life, people are watching, and then it opens doors for opportunity to meet with people on a personal level and begin relationships that way. Misty Phillip Yeah, and I would totally agree with that. And even the fact of having joy, just being joyful right now, our world is really crazy and people are very selfish and self centered and in their own world. And even when we’re going through difficulty, we can still show up with joy. And that radically shifts people because they don’t understand how can you have joy in the midst of name it XYZ, right? A million different things that could steal our joy, but when we just carry joy, it opens up the door for us to share our love of Jesus. So I am so excited for the women to read your words, Doris, and to do this study to really dig into the Book of John and what the Lord has to say about abiding in Him and surrendering everything that causes us to the things that want to rob us of our joy. And the book is there’s a foreword by Suzanne Eller, who wrote a book on joy. She’s been on the podcast, and so that’s a great endorsement for the book right there as well. And so I’m just so excited for you. Please tell people where they can find you and find out more about you. Doris Swift Thank you. Well, the best way would be to go to my website, Doriswift.com, and you will find all of my social media links. You’ll find my podcast page and about the book where you can grab the book book and how you can be a part of this amazing journey to surrender your joy, stealers to God and rediscover the Jesus joy in you. Misty Phillip Yeah. That’s so great. We’ll put all of the links in the show notes. So, Doris, thank you so much for sharing your joy with me. I’m so glad to call you my friend and for sharing about your book on the podcast. Doris Swift Thank you so much for having me. The post Doris Swift: Rediscovering Jesus’ Joy: Surrendering Joy Stealers appeared first on By His Grace.

On this episode of By His Grace, Kim Allen talks about the importance of understanding our spiritual gifts and talents to find our place in ministry. She also emphasizes the significance of having the right people around us to guide and encourage us like a shepherd with a staff. Misty Phillip shares about the community coming together during Hurricane Harvey and how one can use their God-given gifts to help others in unexpected ways. The episode also touches upon insecurities and lack of confidence which are common struggles for women and how leading small groups has been life-changing for everyone involved. Kim Allen encourages listeners to fight insecurities and seek God’s guidance in fulfilling the works He has planned for them.   Kim Allen is a motivational speaker and author who has experienced firsthand the effects of lacking confidence and security in her own life. Throughout her career in pastoring and leading small groups, she noticed that many women struggled with feeling confident in their abilities despite being competent and well-educated. This inspired her to write about her own journey to self-discovery and share her personal stories in hopes of helping other women overcome their own insecurities. With her relatable and empowering message, Kim Allen aims to inspire women to become their best selves and achieve their dreams.   – Topic: Spiritual Gift Tests – Discussion on commonly given spiritual gift tests by churches – Story shared about how wrong positioning within the body of Christ can hinder one’s effectiveness – Importance of understanding one’s gifts and talents to use them effectively – Emphasis on having guidance from others to be in the right place in ministry – Topic: Understanding Spiritual Gifts – Discussion on how everyone has gifts that come in different measures – Methods to learn about spiritual gifts like seeking help and getting into the Word – Importance of using gifts for the glory of God – Topic: Hurricane Harvey Relief – Guest, Misty Phillip, shares how she used her skills to help those affected by the hurricane – Importance of using one’s gifts to help others in unexpected ways – Community coming together in times of need – Topic: Mentoring – Discussion on individual meetings based on personal needs – Focus on building trust and encouraging others with scripture – Bible stories and personal experiences used as encouragement – Passion for helping others in their transformation, including spiritual growth – Topic: Pursuing Dreams and Trusting God’s Plan – Emphasis on being in the Word daily and the significance of community – The importance of pursuing dreams and skills – The idea that God has a plan for everyone and is working everything together for good – Encouragement to prioritize meaningful connections over career advancement – Topic: Kim Allen’s Career Path – Kim Allen’s career path from IT to education – Various roles in IT and education including developing curriculum and teaching technology to women – The discovery of a passion for small group teaching – Topic: Lack of Confidence in Women – Observation of women struggling with confidence and insecurity – Sharing personal stories to help others – Emphasis on fighting insecurities to fulfill purpose and destiny – Topic: Small Groups and Relationships – Kim Allen’s passion for small groups and bringing people together – Teaching more women’s events at her local church to create lifelong relationships and grow together – Insecurities as an enemy of purpose and destiny   Kim’s links Website | Book | Twitter | Facebook | Pintrest | Instagram The post Kim Allen: Unleashing Your Spiritual Gifts for Effective Ministry appeared first on By His Grace.

In this episode of By His Grace, Fred Stoeker shares his personal journey of addiction to pornography, heavy drinking, and chasing after multiple girlfriends. He experienced a spiritual awakening and used Christian teachings and prayers to take control of his actions. He is the author of “Every Man’s Battle” and “Every Young Man’s Battle,” which discusses the importance of controlling the eyes and mind to break free from addiction. Summary Fred provides an excerpt from the book he co-authored with his wife, Brenda entitled, “Battle On, Battle Over,” which highlights the increasing problem of porn addiction in women. The speaker warns that exposure to graphic content can create greater desire and urges listeners to prioritize purity. The episode also discusses the science behind how porn addiction affects the brain and how Christianity can help overcome this sin. The Speaker’s Struggles with Addiction Addiction to pornography, heavy drinking, and chasing after multiple girlfriends. Spiritual awakening and began heavily attending church and learning. Marriage did not solve his sexual sin issue. Battle against his addiction and with the help of the Lord, was able to control his eyes and mind to break free almost entirely. Every Man’s Battle and Every Young Man’s Battle Discusses the importance of controlling the eyes and mind as a defense against addiction.– Only surrendering to the Lord can fill the God shaped hole in our hearts.– Overcoming sin is a sanctification process, but God is gentle, kind, and loving, helping us overcome any struggle as long as we give that battle to Him.– The speaker learned to avoid triggers through God’s training.– Women have also found the books helpful in changing their behavior regarding eye movements.– Every Man’s Battle has been updated for its 20th anniversary, and it provides training on how the mind and neural pathways work when looking at pornography. Fred and Brenda Stoker’s Work Married couple writing a book together for both men and women. There is currently a wave of sexual sin and porn addiction in both men and women. Female sexuality is intensely relational and tied to feelings of loneliness and disconnection, while male sexuality is visual.– Pornographers have learned to tie romantic themes to porn to appeal to women. Women can get addicted to porn and seek it as a medication for loneliness and disconnection.– Every Man’s Battle and Every Young Man’s Battle provide practical steps to defend the eyes. Women with father wounds or broken marriages are particularly vulnerable to being hooked on porn. Importance of Guarding Eyes and Mind Pornography can be destructive to both individuals and marriages.Call to prioritize purity in the present time. Overexposure to certain types of media can physically alter the brain by burning out receptors. Exposure to increasingly graphic content can create an increasing desire for more. The speaker emphasizes the need to use tools to guard one’s eyes and mind. The ultimate goal is to follow God’s ways and desire purity. Pornography’s Effect on Men and Women Pornography is not just a problem for men, but increasingly for women as well. Misty shares her personal experience with husband’s struggle with pornography. Husband’s struggle began during stressful time with special needs son. Sexual sin may not be sexual at its root but may stem from financial pressure, weak manhood, or other pain points. Prayer and worship can help deal with pain and stress without resorting to sexual sin, leading to freedom from masturbation and the lustful gaze. Battle On Battle Over We live in a culture that’s awash in pornography and sexual sin. For the first time in history, a growing percentage of women have been swept up by the same savage undertow as men, and they are drowning together in this heaving, destructive sea. Perhaps you’ve been gripped by the same relentless riptide, and it’s yanking you into a dark, addictive abyss, causing you to wonder if there’s a way out. Is sexual freedom even possible these days? The answer is an affirmative yes, according to Brenda and Fred Stoeker, the co-authors of Battle On, Battle Over. In their remarkably frank and brutally honest book, they zero in on the root causes of sexual sin and highlight a major vulnerability in both male and female sexuality that sets you up for a fall. The modern-day scourge of sexual temptation is as close as the nearest smartphone, but Brenda and Fred will give you a roadmap to freedom. You’ll discover how to shut down your sexual sin and experience total victory for the rest of your life. Whether you’re a man or a woman, if you have significant issues with pornography and sexual self-stimulation, let Battle On, Battle Over be your guide to conquering these foes once and for all. Topics covered in Battle On, Battle Over: • Is sexual purity even possible in our current culture? • The great vulnerability in human sexuality that we call “The Stealth Trap.” • Why women are now being addicted in large numbers for the first time. • How our view of our own manhood, as men, can trap us. • How to rebuild your soul to ensure a lifetime of freedom from porn and masturbation, through one-on-one worship, fasting, and the study of the Word. • How sexual purity impacts individual destiny, family destiny, and local church destiny. • How husbands and wives can work together to win the battle. It is not just every man’s battle, but every couple’s battle. • Three open letters: One to single women, one to divorced men, and one to single men who’ve never been married. Author Biography Brenda Stoeker is a seasoned marriage teacher and a co-author of Every Heart Restored and The Healing Choice. She’s also a registered nurse and mother of four, and Fred and Brenda have been happily married for over forty years. Fred Stoeker is co-author of the best-selling Every Man’s Battle and Every Young Man’s Battle., Every Man’s Marriage, and Every Young Man’s Battle. Every Man’s Battle is currently translated into nearly thirty languages and has sold well over 1,000,000 copies world-wide already. A graduate of Stanford University, Fred has won two Christian Book Award Gold Medallions and two Silver Medallions for writing excellence. He is also a popular conference speaker who travels both nationally and internationally to challenge men and women to become sexually pure and to reconnect in true intimate relationship with their spouses, all the while encouraging and equipping people to rise up and be Christian rather than simply seem Christian. Today, Fred Stoeker is President of Living True Ministries, whose mission is to practically elucidate God’s truth for everyday living and to encourage and equip men and women to rise up and be Christian, rather than to simply seem Christian. (For more information, go to www.FredStoeker.com). Fred is also a well-known conference speaker who has spoken in or been televised into 59 nations, and who is bent upon challenging people to become sexually pure and to connect in true intimate relationships with their Father in Heaven and with their spouses and children on earth. Fred has been nominated for numerous writing awards and has won two Gold Medallion awards and two Silver Medallion awards for writing excellence. He has been married to his wife Brenda for over forty-one years and has four adult children following Christ, and he has co-written threebooks with Brenda, including the Silver Medallion winner Every Heart Restored. The other two books are Grief and a Shattered Spirit and the newest, Battle On, Battle Over, www.battleonbattleover.com.   Mike Yorkey is the author, co-author, or general editor of more than 120 books, including more than a half dozen with Brenda and Fred Stoeker. Thank you for listening to the By hIs grace podcast! We love hearing from our listeners. Please leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. The post Fred Stoeker: Fighting for Purity: Overcoming Pornography appeared first on By His Grace.

Welcome to the By His Grace Podcast, I’m Misty Phillip and today, I want to encourage my fellow moms as we approach Mother’s Day. Today I want to be discuss the importance of biblical motherhood and the impact it can have on our families and communities. Motherhood is an incredible journey, full of joys and challenges. It’s a journey that requires patience, love, and sacrifice. As we navigate this path, it can be easy to get caught up in the daily grind and lose sight of the bigger picture. But when we look to the Bible for guidance, we can find wisdom and encouragement to help us on this journey. Proverbs 31:10-31 ESV The Woman Who Fears the Lord 10 [d] 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[e] 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.[f] 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. Proverbs 31 is a beautiful passage that describes the qualities of a virtuous woman. This woman is a wife and a mother, and she is praised for her hard work, her wisdom, and her kindness. She is a woman who fears the Lord, and her children rise up and call her blessed. As mothers, we can learn a lot from this passage. We can strive to be women of integrity, who work hard to provide for our families and create a loving home environment. We can seek wisdom from the Lord and ask Him to guide us as we raise our children. Biblical Examples of Strong Moms As we study the Bible we find countless examples of strong and faithful mothers who raised children who went on to do great things. One such example is Jochebed, the mother of Moses. She was a Hebrew woman living in Egypt during a time when Pharaoh had ordered all Hebrew baby boys to be killed. But Jochebed refused to give up on her son and placed him in a basket in the Nile River, trusting that God would protect him. Jochebed Through God’s grace, Moses was rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter and grew up to become a great leader of the Israelites, leading them out of slavery in Egypt. Jochebed’s faith and determination remind us that even in the face of difficult circumstances, God can work miracles through the love and dedication of a mother. Hannah Another example is Hannah, the mother of Samuel. Hannah was unable to have children, and she prayed fervently to God for a son. When God blessed her with Samuel, she dedicated him to God’s service and raised him to be a faithful prophet. Hannah’s story shows us that even when we face disappointment or hardship, we can turn to God in prayer and trust that He has a plan for our lives and our children’s lives. As mothers, we can learn so much from these biblical examples. We can be encouraged that our efforts in raising our children in the ways of the Lord can have a lasting impact. We can trust that God is with us every step of the way and that He will equip us with everything we need to be the best mothers we can be. Modeling the Christian Life One of the most important things we can do as mothers is to model a life of faith for our children. We can teach them about God’s love and grace, and show them what it means to live a life that honors Him. We can pray for our children and ask God to protect them and guide them on their own faith journeys. We can read, study, and memorize scripture together. Motherhood both challenging and rewarding! Motherhood can be challenging, but it’s also one of the most rewarding roles we can have in life. When we embrace biblical motherhood, we can experience the joy of seeing our children grow and thrive, and we can make a positive impact on our families and communities. Mom your work is valuable, your love is powerful, and your influence is eternal. Keep pressing on, and trust in God’s grace to guide you through every moment of motherhood. Verses that have encouraged me in my motherhood journey I want to share a few scriptures that have encouraged me in my motherhood journey. Proverbs 22:6 ESV “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” 3 John 4 ESV says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” Hebrews 12:1 ESV “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” Galatians 6:9 ESV  -“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” So, to all the mothers out there listening today, I want to encourage you to keep pressing on. Remember that you are loved and valued by God, and that He has entrusted you with the incredible responsibility of raising your children. Seek His guidance and wisdom, and trust Him to help you on this journey. Thank you for tuning in to the By His Grace Podcast. The Struggle is Real: But so is God “The Struggle is Real but So is God” is a Bible study by Misty Phillip that explores the struggles and challenges that people face in their lives, and how God can help them overcome these challenges. The study focuses on practical ways to apply biblical principles to our everyday lives. The study emphasizes the importance of faith, prayer, and perseverance in facing the trials and difficulties that come our way. It encourages readers to trust in God’s wisdom and plan for their lives, even when things seem difficult or overwhelming. Through this study, readers are challenged to deepen their relationship with God and to seek his guidance and strength in all areas of their lives. They are reminded that, even in the midst of struggles, God is always present and willing to help us overcome. “The Struggle is Real but So is God” is a practical and inspiring resource for anyone looking to deepen their faith and trust in God, and to find hope and strength in the midst of life’s challenges. Purchase your copy of The Struggles Real:But so is God today! The post Biblical Motherhood appeared first on By His Grace.

Welcome to the By His Grace Podcast with Misty Phillip, where we explore the transformative power of God’s grace in our lives. In this episode, Misty interviews Shae Bynes, a passionate entrepreneur, speaker, and author of the book “Grace over Grind.” They discuss the importance of embracing God’s grace, overcoming the hustle mentality, and allowing God to guide your path to success. Also included in this episode. Hustle Culture vs the Kingdom of God Signs we may be grinding Inviting God into our Business Kingdom Collaborations Kairos Moments Supernatural Favor Unforced Rhythms Of Grace “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” – Matthew 28-30 MSG  Shae Bynes Shae Bynes is a passionate storyteller, mentor, and strategist who equips leaders to be catalysts for transformation in the marketplace.  Founder and Chief Fire Igniter of Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur, is celebrating the 5th anniversary of her best-selling book Grace Over Grind: How Grace Will Take Your Business Where Grinding Can’t with a brand new expanded edition. New chapters, new insights, and new opportunities to encounter God powerfully in your life and business! Connect with Shae Bynes Grace Over Grind Thank you for listening to the By His Grace podcast! Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, and share this episode with a friend.   The post Shae Bynes: Grace over Grind in Your Business appeared first on By His Grace.

On this episode of the By his grace podcast, Misty Phillip sits down with Rhonda Stoppe to discuss Raising Sons to be Men. Bringing up boys isn’t for the faint of heart, but bestselling author Rhonda Stoppe has been there before—and she’s here to help! Drawing on insights from fellow boy-moms and from Scripture, Rhonda reveals why walking with Christ is every mom’s key to parenting well. Topics discussed include: Teaching sons to rely on God and how to be Godly Men Moms of the Bible Story of Jachobed The Prodigal Son Rhonda Stoppe “Best Selling Christian Author, Speaker & Podcast Host. Rhonda has helped thousands of women build a no regrets life! With over 30 years experience as a pastor’s wife, mom coach, marriage mentor, homeschool keynote, Grandparenting Coalition Contributor, mother of four–and grandmother of 15” “Best Of Episode” – Focus on the Family Connect with Rhonda:  Website: https://www.rhondastoppe.com/ Free Resources Free Resources Moms Raising Sons to Be Men: Guiding Them Toward Their Purpose and Passion The post Rhonda Stoppe: Raising Sons to Be Men appeared first on By His Grace.

Today’s social justice movements call for equality, civil rights, love . . . solid Christian values, right? What if there is more to social justice than Christians understand? Even worse: What if we have been duped into preaching ideas that actually oppose the Kingdom of God? On this episode of By His Grace podcast Misty Phillip sits down her with friend, author, pastor, media consultant Lucas Miles. To discuss his new book, Woke Jesus: The False Messiah Destroying Christianity Woke Jesus: The False Messiah Destroying Christianity “In this bold, analytical, and readable book, Miles names names and dismantles the fallacy of progressive Christianity.” —ERIC METAXAS, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author and Host of the Nationally Syndicated Eric Metaxas Radio Show Woke Jesusuncovers the real dangers to Christianity and America from the Christian Left, Progressive or Woke Christianity. These radical alternatives abandon traditional biblical interpretations regarding marriage, gender, racial equality, justice, original sin, heaven and hell, and salvation, replacing them within a new fabricated morality. This fabrication is built around political correctness, cancel culture, hedonistic values, obsession with public health, allegiance to the leftist state, universalism, and virtue signaling. Author Lucas Miles— A pastor and trusted voice in the American church who has consistently addressed some of the most challenging topics in religion—not only outlines how the radical left wing is co-opting Jesus for their own anti-religious views, but also provides a call to action for Christians to resist the siren song of social justice and Wokeism. Rather than ignoring the problems within the church, Miles shows Christians how to grow in the truth of God’s word by expanding their understanding of solid orthodox theology. In Woke Jesus, Lucas discusses several very timely and relevant topics associated with the deceptions of Progressive Christianity with the American church, including: The history and origins of Wokeism, beginning with Gnosticism, eventually finding its place within a Hegelian and Marxist framework and then morphing into what we see today. How Woke Christianity abandons traditional biblical interpretations regarding marriage, gender, racial equality, justice, original sin, heaven and hell, and salvation, thus replacing those traditions with political correctness, cancel culture, hedonistic values, obsession with public health, allegiance to the Leftist state, universalism, and virtue signaling. How Progressive Christianity reduces Christ to a mere revolutionary, prophet, or sage who is only useful to the degree that His behavior aligns with liberal “morals” that support a progressive view of race, gender, and sexuality. Woke Jesus argues that few institutions are responsible for unifying the nation more than the church. As such, it’s imperative, spiritually for the sake of the lost and geo-politically for global freedom, that orthodox Christianity proves true. For these reasons, every Christian should take seriously their role in pushing back the darkness of Wokeism and Critical Theory in all of its forms. What is Woke Christianity? Like all heresy, Woke Christianity is rooted in an element of truth, (as in God’s opposition to injustice), but encapsulates this truth with a convincing web of antibiblical ideology and extremism. As such, scripture is either downgraded, stripped of its authority, or frequently ignored, ac personal experience, like suffering or oppression and personal enlightenment take center stage in crafting Woke theology. WOKE JESUS argues that few institutions are responsible for unifying the nation more than the Church. As such, it’s imperative, both spiritually for the sake of the lost and geo-politically for the sake of global freedom, that orthodox Christianity prove true. For these reasons, every Christian should take seriously their role in pushing back the darkness of Wokeism and Critical Theory in all of its forms. For those requiring some practical examples of how to get started, here are some ideas: 1. Don’t Attend a Woke Church. 2. Know What Your Child Is Being Taught in School. 3. Support a Conservative Candidate or Run for Office. 4. Serve in a Helps Ministry. 5. Plant Yourself in Local Church. Miles has spent years touring the country and warning of the dangers of “The Christian Left” and in In WOKE JESUS: The False Messiah Destroying Christianity, he provides guidance and a message of action and hope: ➢ Don’t ignore the problems within the church. ➢ Grow in the truth of God’s word and expand your understanding of solid orthodox theology. ➢ Refuse to allow your anger at the enemy to dilute your love for people. ➢ Be bold in sharing your faith with others. ➢ Remember truth and love are the keys to avoiding every error. ➢ Most importantly, don’t give up the fight – the church’s best days are still ahead. Thank you for listening to this episode of the By his Grace podcast. Please share this episode, and make sure to leave us a review. The post Lucas Miles: Woke Jesus appeared first on By His Grace.

Welcome back to Part two of Standing for Traditional Values in a World Gone Woke. On this episode of the By His Grace podcast, Peter and Misty Phillip invite their friends Shea and Michelle Watson of the Pantry Podcast on the show to discuss Biblical marriage. Two amazing podcasts join forces in a remarkable two-part episode! Tune into both the By His Grace podcast and Spark Influence to hear exclusive content that you won’t find anywhere else. Don’t miss this special double feature opportunity – listen now! Our two-part episode will encourage you to stand strong for traditional values, so don’t forget to listen to both parts for maximum impact. On this Episode We discuss Biblical marriage and family and standing against culture. We will explore the importance of marriage in the Bible, God’s design for marriage, and how to navigate modern culture norms while still holding true to Biblical principles. We dive deep into the Bible’s timeless wisdom on marriage and family. We explore how God crafted a unique plan for marriage many years ago that still holds true today – no matter what society may dictate! Here you’ll find valuable guidance to help stay firm in your faith as you navigate through life with those closest to your heart. We also discuss how to be a strong advocate for traditional values in the face of a growing woke culture. Including ways in which families can work together to ensure that their values are passed on from generation to generation. Through this podcast episode, we hope to equip listeners with the tools they need to stand firm in their faith and protect their families from being influenced by an increasingly woke culture. Shea & Michelle Watson To connect with Shea and Michelle Watson check out The Pantry Podcast Thanks for listening to the By His Grace podcast. We’d love to your your feedback on this episode. Leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. The post Traditional Values in a World Gone Woke – Part 2 appeared first on By His Grace.

On this episode of the By His Grace podcast, Peter and Misty Phillip invite their friends Shea and Michelle Watson of the Pantry Podcast on the show to discuss Biblical marriage. Two amazing podcasts join forces in a remarkable two-part episode! Tune into both the By His Grace podcast and Spark Influence to hear exclusive content that you won’t find anywhere else. Don’t miss this special double feature opportunity – listen now! Our two-part episode will encourage you to stand strong for traditional values, so don’t forget to listen to both parts for maximum impact. On this Episode We discuss Biblical marriage and family and standing against culture. We will explore the importance of marriage in the Bible, God’s design for marriage, and how to navigate modern culture norms while still holding true to Biblical principles. We dive deep into the Bible’s timeless wisdom on marriage and family. We explore how God crafted a unique plan for marriage many years ago that still holds true today – no matter what society may dictate! Here you’ll find valuable guidance to help stay firm in your faith as you navigate through life with those closest to your heart. We also discuss how to be a strong advocate for traditional values in the face of a growing woke culture. Including ways in which families can work together to ensure that their values are passed on from generation to generation. Through this podcast episode, we hope to equip listeners with the tools they need to stand firm in their faith and protect their families from being influenced by an increasingly woke culture. Shea & Michelle Watson To connect with Shea and Michelle Watson check out The Pantry Podcast Thanks for listening to the By His Grace podcast. We’d love to your your feedback on this episode. Leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. The post Traditional Values in World Gone Woke – Part 1 appeared first on By His Grace.

Misty Phillip has an encouraging conversation talking about some of her favorite subjects purpose, calling, and overcoming! This week she sits down with Tawana Lowery talking about Miss Overcomer. Miss Overcomer is a global mentoring sisterhood that empowers women of faith to lead with courage and calling and maximize their unique God given Purposes! Tawana Lowery Tawana Lowery is a faith-focused Women’s Empowerment and Leadership Coach. She is also a gifted inspirational speaker, author, blogger, and radio talent. Tawana has a deep passion to help women reclaim Courage, reconnect with Calling, and move forward with radiant joy and purpose.  Because of her personal Overcomer story that spans more than Three Decades of hardship, Tawana knows first-hand the obstacles many women face when daring to live a more fulfilled and purposeful life! For more than 20 years, Tawana has coached and inspired clients and audiences with proven Biblical strategies that demonstrate how any woman of faith can beat the odds and reconnect with the divine calling God has placed within. Miss Overcomer hosts regional gatherings to equip and empower women to overcome! Visit her event page for a complete list of events. Miss Overcomer Nashville Saturday, April 22 · 9am – 5pm CDT SpringHill Suites by Marriott Franklin Cool Springs 5011 Aspen Grove Drive Franklin, TN 37067 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/miss-overcomer-womens-empowerment-conference-tickets-519357721927 Miss Overcomer Connect with Tawana Lowery at MissOvercomer.com The post Tawana Lowery: Miss Overcomer appeared first on By His Grace.