Reflecting the Creator Podcast

We see the character of God at work in the lives of both Elijah and Peter. When we feel nothing goes right when we do the right thing, or we have failed miserably in our lives, God has shown in His Word. Today we will look to Elijah’s spiritual depression in 1 Kings 19 and how even when Elijah did things right, he still faced opposition. We read of Jesus restoring Peter in John 21. In both cases, God does not leave us in the darkness of our emotions but restores us and calls us back into our calling and divine design for His kingdom and people beyond ourselves. Grab your bible as we did into these two men’s stories and how God met them both where they were. _Here is the link to the podcast Brian mentioned: Dr Mark Rutland: “The Power of Restoration” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

“Why Bother with the Bible?” StudyThe Bible ProjectRead Scripture AppBONUS APP: Blue Letter BibleI didn’t talk about this app, but this is my favorite Bible study app I have on my phone. I love word studies, and this allows me to dig into the Greek and Hebrew meaning of words, as well as commentaries and concordances. Blue Letter Bible is a great resource! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

Check out the following resources to deepen your study of Godly rest for your soul: * Bible Verses on the Sabbath* Commanded to Rest: The Impact of the Fall (Theology of Work Article)* Why Does God Command Us to Rest? (Bible Study Tools Article)* Rest for Your Souls - Matthew 11 (Truth for Life Podcast)* Rest for Your Souls - Hebrews 4 (Truth for Life Podcast) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

Additional Resources to Dive Deeper:Bible Project Reading Plans - The Bible ProjectArticles to Read: Bible Verses on Prayers Not Being Answered - Bible Study for YouHow to Meditate on the Word of God - C.S. Lewis InstituteHow Can I Meditate on God’s Word? - GotQuestions.orgBooks to Read: How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth - Gordon FeeThe Bible Jesus Read - Philip YanceyBefore You Open Your Bible - Matt SmethurstOpening the Bible - Thomas Merton This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

Check out the Bible Project Video of Job that Brian referenced: JOB BREAKDOWN VIDEOBible Project Guide to the Book of Job: JOB This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

Scriptures from today’s podcast:Mentorship:* Proverbs 27:17: "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."* 2 Timothy 2:2: "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will be able to teach others also."* Galatians 6:1: "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted."Correction:* Hebrews 12:11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.* Proverbs 15:31-32:Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.* Proverbs 10:17:"Accept correction, and you will find life; reject correction, and you will miss the road."* 2 Timothy 3:16-17:"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."* Proverbs 9:9:"Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be more wise; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning."* Titus 2:1-5You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

Here is the link Brian talked about in this podcast: End of Year Review Documents This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

Philippians 4:9As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.We all desire peace. We want peace from war with other countries. We want peace in our marriages where conflict would stop raging. We want peace with other people when our views or opinions do not line up with each other. We want peace internally from the wrestling we continually struggle with, whether it be circumstances around us or those resulting from our own decisions. We want peace but how we go about getting that peace shows us where our hearts are. In Philippians, Paul teaches us how to live in harmony with others, and also how to live at peace with ourselves and the war in our own minds. The problem is, that we do not put into action the wisdom he outlines…at least not habitually. Many times, we think of the word “habitually” in a negative connotation. We think of an addition or an attitude that continues to bring destruction in a marriage or relationship. But the definition of habitually simply means, by way of habit. It is an action we do out of habit rather than having to make ourselves choose to do it regularly. Why don’t we live in harmony like Paul urges in Philippians 4:2? Could it be we have refused to work hard enough at it to make it a habit? What about the lack of peace we feel internally? Anxiety is an epidemic in our nation, perhaps even our world, and the church doesn’t seem to be immune to this. Why are we struggling to have peace or joy or contentment that we know God has provided to us through the Holy Spirit? Could it be we simply are not following Paul’s instruction in Philippians 4:9?What is this instruction? “Practice these things.” Paul says when we practice these things, “the God of peace will be with you.” What things are we supposed to practice? “As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me.” Simply put, we are to be practicing the things we have learned, seen, and received in the Word of God. What things? That can be a multiplicity of things. But let’s just take one or two from this same chapter. In verse 2, Paul urges two fellow disciples of Jesus to “live in harmony in the Lord.” Living in harmony with other believers is a discipline and is a habit that takes work to establish and maintain. In verse 3, Paul speaks of those who have shared in his struggle and urges his readers to “help these women.” Do we partner and help other believers in need? Do we take care of each other? Next in verse 4, Paul says “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Is rejoicing a habit within our lives that it happens without needing to think about it? Is the praises and thankfulness pouring out of our speech and attitude throughout the day even when our circumstances are difficult? Verse 5 says, “Let your gentle spirit be known to all people.” Are we people who can be spoken of as “gentle”? Are we gentle people? Does your social media account show this gentleness towards ALL people? Even those who disagree with us? I could spend all day speaking about Philippians 4:8 and focusing my mind on the good, profitable, worthy of praise things in life. Most of us fall well short of this admonition in the way we focus and use our mental energies. What is your focus throughout the day? What do you dwell on? Do you focus on the ways your spouse isn’t holding up their end of the deal? Do you focus on what you don’t have or what you do? Do you dwell on the negative elements in our culture and politics or the “honorable”?The truth of all of this is the word, practice. We need to understand and take personal responsibility to this word. Are we practicing? Are we continually putting into action those things we know we should be doing? Or are we justifying actions, thoughts, bitterness that are not God-glorifying? Then we have the audacity to cry out to God for our lack of peace in our hearts and lives. Are we obeying His commands to practice Philippians 4? Are we willing to put the work in to make these disciplines habits? Habits can be difficult when they go against what comes naturally to us. We want the results of world-class athletes but do not want to pay the price of the daily habits they want. We want that healthy body but are too lazy to put into practice those disciplines that bring the results. How similar is this to our spiritual lives? We want the peace of God Paul speaks of but continue to justify the lack of spiritual discipline in our minds and lives. We refuse to put a check on our thoughts. We continue to justify bitterness towards a spouse, a brother, a sister, a boss or co-worker. We refuse to put an end to the laziness of our social media intake. We refuse to obey God’s commands to dwell on what is excellent, good and lovely and instead fill our minds full of our streaming shows…just to chill or blow off some steam of course. But this continual lack of obedience and discipline brings with it a lack of peace. God will not, cannot, honor our lack of obedience with the peace He offers those who obey Him. If we want what God has to offer than we have to live in obedience. This means “putting these things into practice.” Are we putting into practice those things which we know we should be? Is our thought life reflective of Philippians 4:8? Is our social media intake or the shows we are streaming, or the radio we are listening to line up with what Paul commands us? Use Philippians 4:8 as a limpness test of your media intake. Are we living in harmony with others within the fellowship of believers as verses 2-3 tell us to? Or are we allowing bitterness, unforgiveness, and division to remain because we have been hurt by him/her? If we desire to live to the fullest and experience everything God wants for us, everything God has offered us, everything God has for us, we must choose to put things into practice we have heard our mentors and pastors say. If we want the peace of God, we must put into practice those things His Word says to do. If we want everything God has for us, we must live in harmony with other believers. If we want the results, we must be willing to be brutally honest with ourselves and put it into practice…over and over again. Putting into practice is an ongoing decision and action, not a one-time event. This isn’t something we do one time and we are set for life. Habits do not form with one decision or action. We must choose day after day, moment by moment, to practice and put into action those things, behaviors, and thought patterns we have been shown and commanded. When we do, I promise You, that God will hold up His end of the bargain. Others around us may not live up to their end of the deal, our situations may not get magically better, but living in obedience opens the widows of blessing in heaven so God and His Spirit can fill Your heart and mind to the fullest.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This past week, we in the United States had the opportunity to elect a new president. I have always been intrigued by the process but never have I wanted to put a toe into the arena of politics. Don’t worry, I won’t start now. This isn’t about a political sphere but Paul does use political terms to describe to us our standing with God and the responsibilities God has given to us in response to saving us and giving us a new identity in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21  give us this picture that in Christ, we have been made “new.” Who we were before is no longer here, they are dead. The mistakes we made before no longer define who we are today. We sometimes get caught up in verse 17 without understanding the ramifications, the conviction, and the set up for 17 that 16 communicates. 2 Corinthians 5:16 states, “Therefore from now on we recognize no one by the flesh; even though we have known Christ by the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.”Let’s look at a couple of key terms from this verse. First off, From now on. Paul had just spoken about how Christ came in the flesh and died so we could have new life in Him. He book ends this from verse 15 with verse 17 stating that “...if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation;” Paul drives home the truth of this new status with God. We are not who we were before, we are new. From now on. There is a point when we surrender to Christ, we confess our sins, and we repent from the old ways of living. This isn’t a single prayer you pray on a Sunday morning and everything is good. It is a decision, a commitment, to something deeper. Once that decision is made, there is a “from now on” in your life. When we accept and receive what Jesus Christ died to provide to us, there is a change in who we are, as well as a change in the direction and purpose of our lives. “We recognize no one by the flesh;” This is a statement I believe many in the church today lose sight of. When we turn our lives to Christ, we no longer recognize people, situations, even God Himself in the same manor we did before. We can’t. We have been made new. We are new people, new creations. This doesn’t mean we will instantly be without struggle or sin, but it does signal a change in the direction and way of perceiving the world. If we call ourselves disciples of Christ, followers, believers, than there should be a decisive difference in how we live, how we approach life, how we live our lives, and how we relate to others. How can we continue to live as the old, dead person if the Holy Spirit has made us new creatures? A dead man who is made alive cannot go on living as a dead man…unless he wants to go back to being dead man! That new, alive person will look and live different because they now breath, eat, and live!This should be the same with me and you once we have our from now on moment of surrender to Christ. We will relate to people differently. We will no longer look at the world, or people, with the same eyes as before because we aren’t the same set of eyes as before. We begin to see things through the eyes of Christ because He has come to make us into His child and given us His identity, and even has given us a share of His inheritance (Romans 8:17). Ambassadors for Christ. I cannot imagine what life is like for the President of the United States, or any government official for that matter. I can’t imagine the weight of making decisions knowing full well it will impact tens of millions of people. Can you imagine carrying the weight of figuring out how to help three hundred and thirty-six MILLION people? President Joe Biden is our current sitting president. We are getting ready in January to swear in a new president. President Biden, and soon President Trump, will take on the responsibility of representing 335,893,238 million people. Can you imagine the weight of that they carry? I understand some people may want that and others, like me, want nothing to do with it. I appreciate those who do serve in public office and carry the weight of representing their constituents. I appreciate their service but I would not want to have to make decisions that would influence and impact all those families. I have enough weight just carrying my own family!The truth of 2 Corinthians 5 is we all carry the weight of representing an authority much greater than our families, or even our nation. We carry the responsibility of carrying the name of the Creator of the Universe. When I pump gas, text my employees, or write a post on social media, I am telling others around me who God is and what He is like. As a parent, I do that every day to my kids. To my wife, I communicate to her each day what God is like, how God talks, how God serves. Because I am Christ’s ambassador. I carry His name in all I do, in who I am. One of the phrases you hear often at my church is, “Represent Him Well.” We state this often but I wonder how often we lose the impact of that statement. I know I do. We have a responsibility to represent the name of Christ well. People are looking to us to get an idea of what God Himself is like. I hope that scares you as much as it does me. Paul tells us in this passage that God is making a plea with the world around us to “be reconciled to God.” The life me and you live each day is God’s plea to the world. Did your text messages this morning say that to your spouse? When your co-workers were standing around complaining about your boss, was your speech and attitude a plea to them to be reconciled with God? Was your social media posts through this election, and in the days following, pleading with the world to be reconciled to God and each other?It should be a sobering call and awakening to us. We are God’s mouthpiece to the world. What is the main point? Here is the two things I want you to ask yourself today: Am I viewing myself as the new creation in Christ Jesus or am I still seeing and speaking about myself as if I was the previous failed sinner before Christ? Secondly, am I living as an ambassador for Christ Jesus to those around me, being a billboard for God’s message of reconciliation to those around me?2 Corinthians 5:18-21Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their wrongdoings against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.You and I no longer have to live under who we were before Christ. We have a new identity in Christ Jesus, a new name, and a new nature. However, we do have to live under the new direction and calling as His ambassadors to the world. This was a command, not a recommendation. If you want to see those who claimed the name but didn’t obey the calling, read Matthew 25 and the story of the Sheep and Goats. God is calling you to a new live and a new purpose in Christ Jesus. It is a life well lived and brings great joy in obedience. There will be missed opportunities and failures along the way. But thanks be to God who provided grace to us in the process together. Represent Him well today.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

It is "easy" to get distracted by the shiny things of this world. We are called to run the race well God laid before us. We must first throw off the hindrances distracting us from fixing our eyes on Christ and running this race with perseverance and faithfulness. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

Today, Brian talks through some practical applications for spiritual growth. Here is the link for the Scripture memory system Brian mentioned in today’s podcast: SIMPLY CHARLOTTE MASON SCRIPTURE MEMORY SYSTEMSome of the discplines Brian spoke of today: -PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY: It begins with personal accountability. What ways are you keeping yourself accountable in doing the spiritual disciplines the Lord has laid on your heart?-BIBLE READING PLAN: Whether it is the Read Scripture app, a One Year Bible, or a plan on your favorite Bible app…a Bible reading plan can help keep you on track and accountable.-PRAYER JOURNALING: This isn’t for everyone but it is worthy trying. Try it out daily for one week to see if this helps you get things out of your head and keeps you focused during your prayer time. -FASTING: If it is good enough for Ester, Moses, Jesus, than it should be good enough for us. Begin once a week fasting a meal. When you could be eating, pray instead. When the hunger pains hit, pray instead. -3X5 CARD PRAYER LIST: List out people or situations into different categories and spend time each day praying for each person or situation in the category you have assigned that day. This way you can make your prayer time more than just about you. -INVITE SOMEONE TO READ A BOOK WITH YOU: Having someone reading the same book with you both keeps you accountable to actually reading it, and also gives you a sounding board to bounce ideas and thoughts back and forth about. This can really help us get more out of our reading since we with need something to talk with the other person about! Maybe send a picture or quote each day together. This is also something that can be done in larger groups as well. -FAMILY WORSHIP TIME/NIGHTLY WORSHIP TIME: Take time at the end of the day to spend time together with those who you live with. This could be a spouse, roommate or kids. Even if you live alone, ending the day by spending time meditating on God’s word can really help close the day well, as well as set up the following day. Some ideas to include in your daily wrap-up: * Bible reading/Devotion book: Read something from the Word. Either a Psalm or chapter or even a small passage to end the day with God’s Word. * Scripture Memory System: Check out the link below for the how-to. This has changed our family. We have found no better way to memorize Scripture together as a family. This is cheap, easy, but life-changing if you make it a habit. * Triple T’s: Terrific, Terrible, Thankful…in that order. This allows for reflection and conversation to take place…intentionally. * A worship song: even if your voice stinks, the Bible says to make a joyful noise to the Lord. Singing together is a great way to build unity and focus our minds back on Who is really important. * Prayer: Make sure to pray together. Prayer is more powerful in our families and relationships than anything else. You can either simply pray together or take time for each person to share a prayer request that the family can pray with together. Change it up and have different people pray. Prayer is a discipline that we need and that will change the atmosphere of our homes. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

At the end of his life, King David was charging his son to complete the work God was calling him to. King David had spend years preparing the materials and laborers for the building of God’s temple. At the end of his life, David knew it was time for Solomon to step up and get to work completing this project God began in David but would use his son to complete. It is easy for disciples of Christ to get bogged down in learning, growing, and getting to know Jesus more. We fail to act because we get so focused on preparing. There came a point when the preparation was complete and action needed to take place. What area in your life is God calling you to act, to do the work? God has left His commission to us as believers here on earth. His purpose is to use us to complete Jesus’ mission. The church is His tool to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples. We are called to be people of action, people of good works (Ephesians 2:10). Brian challenges us today to examine our lives and walks with Jesus and what work is God calling us to do. We don’t need to get caught just being but also doing. What is God calling you to do today? What is that mission that God has prepared you and your path for? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to pray for one another. We can easily get wrapped up in bringing our own needs and issues before God that we forget to bring others before God in prayer. We see Jesus set the example of praying for His own disciples in John 17. Paul also references time and again how he prayed for those to who he was writing his letters to. Galatians 6:2 commands us to bear one another's burdens. James tells us to pray for one another. To live as part of God's family is to commit to praying for one another. Today's question to you is, who is on your list? Who has God placed in your life to lift up in prayer. Yes, we should boldly come before God with our own requests and issues. We should pray for our leaders, our spouses, our children. But we should also make it a discipline to daily lift our fellow believers up in prayer before God. There is something powerful that the Spirit of God does in our own life as we obey His command to pray for each other. Who is on your list today? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

For those who are married, you know a good marriage takes work. This week, Brian and his wife celebrate 16 years of marriage. He reflects on what are the major keys that have influenced and strengthen their marriage over the past decade and a half. Here is the link to the book Brian Shared about, Character Matters: https://amzn.to/3yiN0zD This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

Are you tired? It can be tiring to be a follower of Christ in our culture today. We are facing pressures we have never faced in our country. Perhaps some of us are worn out from putting out and serving with little harvest to show for it. Today, we will look to God's Word for encouragement. Brian gives 3 challenges...or maybe 4...to help those who may be feeling tired or down as they face life as a follower of Christ in an ever-increasingly hostile world.To watch the full message Brian mentions, visit: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

We all will walk through the consequences of our sinful decisions and choices. There will be moments when are fleshly man/woman pokes out its ugly head and we damage ourselves or those around us. There are also times when we must walk through the actions we made before even coming to Christ. Where is God in those moments? Why wouldn’t God deliver us from it all? The truth is, God is a just God and will sometimes allow consequences to remain even after salvation. His end goal is not our comfort in this life but a purified heart and a witness to the world around us. His goal is holiness, not deliverance from all consequences. There will always be consequences to doing life outside of God’s way. When we do things outside of God’s Word and His commands, there will be negative consequences. This is the reason God commands us to live holy! He desires to keep us from the consequences. Yet, He does allow us to choose to do life outside of His ways but even then, He will be faithful to walk us through it. Grab your Bible, turn to Lamentations 3, and join us as we examine God’s Word and His character in our walking out the consequences of our sin. Leave a comment below about how God has walked with you in the wake of your sinful choices. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

Life can so easily become overwhelming. Different roles in life pulling us in different directions can get our minds in a fog. Life can become unmanageable. Fear, anxiety, depression can all creep in if we do not take time to reset and refresh. God, within His creation and design, gave us new beginnings. New mornings. New months. New births. New years. God has implanted in His design the opportunities for new beginnings. Sometimes we need to take the time to press the reset button on our mindsets. We need to take time away from everyone and press the reset button. What are we focusing on? What is falling through the cracks? What areas are we lazy in right now? What is being neglected? What is taking my attention and focus that shouldn’t? Resets can be a powerful tool in our spiritual and personal lives if we take the time away and press reset. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

It is easy to get wrapped up in taking control of our lives and situations around us. When we get so focused on us being the answer, we can easily fall into the trap of thinking that making things happen and getting the results are up to us. We as disciples of Jesus, are called to a life focused on faithfulness. We live differently than the world. As we focus on faithfulness, we live in contentment with whatever the results of our faithfulness are. This also frees us from boasting in ourselves rather than boasting in God. Jeremiah teaches us to boast in knowing God and His goodness, kindness. Today, Brian shares a testimony of God’s blessing after the release of The God Who Sees Me recently. As we focus on faithfulness, we release God to bless and multiply our results. When the results do come, we also must keep in the forefront of what we are boasting about. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

Learning is a wonderful discipline that can powerfully change our lives. We must keep even learning in the proper perspective. Ecclesiastes is a challenging book that helps us keep things in perspective. Our lives are fleeting, like a vapor. We must allow this reality to set in and influence how we live. The pursuit of knowledge can be great but also a hindrance to living to the fullest. We need to keep things in perspective. Our ultimate goal is to hear God tell us, “Well done good, faithful, steward.” With this as our focus, what books we read or podcasts we listen to will be influenced. Do the books we read feed into one of those three categories? Are those we allow to influence us through books and media guided by the Holy Spirit? Are we careful about the influence we are allowing in?By keeping the goal in mind, we filter every decision through that filter and guard what goes into our minds and how we spend our time. Take time to read through Ecclesiastes this week and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you. What areas are out of balance or taking too much of our focus and attention? We pray the Spirit of God, through the Word of God, challenges you and makes you a clearer reflection of Jesus to the world around you. Visit ReflecingtheCreator.com to order “The God Who Sees Me.”Subscribe to our podcast: https://www.reflectingthecreator.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

God has promised to take care of His own. He also commanded us to work hard so we can present ourselves to God and not be ashamed of our work. Today, Brian challenges us to be faithful in our work. Laziness does not reflect well the Creator who calls us to work hard. Visit ReflectingTheCreator.com for more of our content. The God Who Sees Me by Brian Craft is launching on June 15, 2024. Pre-order your digital copy today by CLICKING HERE. Paperback and hardcover editions will be available on June 15th. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

Words are powerful. We know innately. What we know does not always show in up in what we do. In today’s podcast, Brian challenges us to examine ourselves using Psalm 145. Are we reflecting Who God? Are we compassionate? Are we loving? The best place to start examining ourselves is in our words. Peter challenges us that the words we speak should be spoken as if they were the very words of God Himself. This should wake us up to the reality and responsibility we carry each day. In our marriages, in our families, workplaces, etc. Everywhere we go, we represent Christ. Take time today to read through Psalm 145 and examine your life in comparison to the writing. Allow the Spirit of God to show you areas in yourself where you need to change and reflect Him better. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

We look to Ruth as a great woman of faith and loyalty. But what about Naomi? What can we learn from these ladies and what is God calling us to?Grab your Bibles and turn to Ruth 2 as we dig into God’s Word together. Subscribe to our content today at ReflectingtheCreator.com/SubscribeWe would love to answer your questions about God, the Bible, or this Christian faith. Visit ReflectingtheCreator.com/submit to send us a question today. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com

This past weekend, I ran into several instances where I felt ashamed and angered at the lack of holiness and separation of people who claimed the name of Christ. It seems we have begun to look to the evilness and vileness of our world and culture to justify our own life choices. We aren’t as bad as the world so we must be good. We have lost our sense of conviction in being “holy because I AM holy.”As followers of Jesus, we are called to be holy…to be set apart. We are not to look to the world as our standard of living but rather look to Christ Jesus. Romans 12 tells us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” We are not to be conformed to the pattern of the world. We are to look to Christ Jesus for our pattern. I challenge you today to examine the reasons and justifications for living as you do. What standards and measurements are you using in your life? What determines if you do something or listen to something? Are you falling into the trap of using the world’s fallen way of life to justify your lack of holiness in your life? The call of the disciple of Jesus is to model our lives after Christ. He is our standard of living. Take time today to reflect on God’s holiness and Who He is. Remind Yourself of Who the God is we worship. Below is the link to the video I mentioned in the podcast. This is great to have in the background of your quiet time of reflection. PASSION 2024 - AGNUS DEI This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reflectingthecreator.substack.com