Coming to you from the Morning Star Mission sponsored studio. This is Carl and crew.

Coming to you from the Morning Star Mission sponsored studio. This is Carl and crew.

Mornings, helping you take your next step with Jesus. That's what we're all about here. Ali, do you.

Mornings, helping you take your next step with Jesus. That's what we're all about here. Ali, do you.

Have you ever counted your steps? Have you ever worn some sort of a tracker?

Have you ever counted your steps? Have you ever worn some sort of a tracker?

That's funny that you say. Oh, steps. I thought you would mean steps with Jesus. Uh, yeah, I have. Do you still have your step tracker? Oh, I.

That's funny that you say. Oh, steps. I thought you would mean steps with Jesus. Uh, yeah, I have. Do you still have your step tracker? Oh, I.

Do, and my daughter wears one, too. So she's always trying to compete with me. That's great. It's never even a competition. Mom. How are your steps doing? Uh, I'm somewhere around 3400. I have 11,000. It's always way more. Well, doesn't take nearly as many steps in a day as my active 13 year old.

Do, and my daughter wears one, too. So she's always trying to compete with me. That's great. It's never even a competition. Mom. How are your steps doing? Uh, I'm somewhere around 3400. I have 11,000. It's always way more. Well, doesn't take nearly as many steps in a day as my active 13 year old.

All we need you to take today is one giant step. Just one. And we've got some content that will help you do that. Talking. Experiencing. God. Now what a phenomenal discussion to have. Because the normal conventional experience in the West is we have these encounters here and there. Oftentimes we maybe look for a quick hit from God, if you want to use modern vernacular, a little quick hit from God out of weekend service or go to a concert. All those things are awesome. But I think the ultimate test of our relationship with God is, are we experiencing God? I mean, through it all. Does my team experience God even working with me? Knucklehead. Carl. That's the test of faith, right, guys? I mean, at the end of the day, if God only works on the mountaintops, we got a problem, Houston. But that's not true. In fact, the call of God on our life. If you look at the evidence of Scripture, which is replete with a picture of experiencing God on an ongoing basis. Ooh! Look out! Now, I think really the acid test for this is can we experience God in the stuff of life? Can you experience God when you're teeing it up on the eighth hole? Golfing? Yes. Can you experience God while you're doing laundry? Can you experience God while you're washing pots and pans? Brother Lawrence practicing the presence of God. His classic just hit me. He experienced God. More scrubbing pots and pans in the kitchen than he did in established times of prayer. And I think sometimes we look at finances and we go, oh boy, all right, I'm going to click out of my experience in God mode into balancing my checkbook or wringing my hands over unpaid bills or stressing over things that are coming my way. But what if what if we could experience God all the time?

All we need you to take today is one giant step. Just one. And we've got some content that will help you do that. Talking. Experiencing. God. Now what a phenomenal discussion to have. Because the normal conventional experience in the West is we have these encounters here and there. Oftentimes we maybe look for a quick hit from God, if you want to use modern vernacular, a little quick hit from God out of weekend service or go to a concert. All those things are awesome. But I think the ultimate test of our relationship with God is, are we experiencing God? I mean, through it all. Does my team experience God even working with me? Knucklehead. Carl. That's the test of faith, right, guys? I mean, at the end of the day, if God only works on the mountaintops, we got a problem, Houston. But that's not true. In fact, the call of God on our life. If you look at the evidence of Scripture, which is replete with a picture of experiencing God on an ongoing basis. Ooh! Look out! Now, I think really the acid test for this is can we experience God in the stuff of life? Can you experience God when you're teeing it up on the eighth hole? Golfing? Yes. Can you experience God while you're doing laundry? Can you experience God while you're washing pots and pans? Brother Lawrence practicing the presence of God. His classic just hit me. He experienced God. More scrubbing pots and pans in the kitchen than he did in established times of prayer. And I think sometimes we look at finances and we go, oh boy, all right, I'm going to click out of my experience in God mode into balancing my checkbook or wringing my hands over unpaid bills or stressing over things that are coming my way. But what if what if we could experience God all the time?

Let's talk about it with the great guest, Rob West. He hosts afternoon Faith and Finance Live. Thanks for joining us this morning. Rob. You believe wholeheartedly that we can experience God in our finances. You have a whole show about it, right?

Let's talk about it with the great guest, Rob West. He hosts afternoon Faith and Finance Live. Thanks for joining us this morning. Rob. You believe wholeheartedly that we can experience God in our finances. You have a whole show about it, right?

I sure do, and absolutely, you know, and this is one of those areas, Carl, I think you're exactly right that we keep God at a distance. You know, it was Martin Luther that said there's three conversions the heart, the mind and the purse. Right. We tend to hold this one out of the water, metaphorically, when we kind of submit everything to the Lordship of Christ. And yet God wants to be in everything. And so what if we invited him into our financial lives, the daily grind of spending and allocating God's resources? He wants to be there.

I sure do, and absolutely, you know, and this is one of those areas, Carl, I think you're exactly right that we keep God at a distance. You know, it was Martin Luther that said there's three conversions the heart, the mind and the purse. Right. We tend to hold this one out of the water, metaphorically, when we kind of submit everything to the Lordship of Christ. And yet God wants to be in everything. And so what if we invited him into our financial lives, the daily grind of spending and allocating God's resources? He wants to be there.

Well, let's jump on it. How in the world can we experience God in finances?

Well, let's jump on it. How in the world can we experience God in finances?

You know, as I was thinking about what you all are talking about, it struck me just three things that came out really quick. Number one is experiencing God through his provision. I've got a friend who actually goes through his budget during his quiet time. Now, you might say, why in the world does he do that? He sees it as an opportunity to worship. Because here's the thing. Now he uses the Faith fi app, and this isn't a shameless plug. Here's what he does. He says, you know what? As I see each of those envelopes being filled up and then the money going out for me to provide for my family and for me to enjoy and for me to give away. It's actually an act of worship because I'm seeing the tangible, visible expression of God's provision on a daily basis.

You know, as I was thinking about what you all are talking about, it struck me just three things that came out really quick. Number one is experiencing God through his provision. I've got a friend who actually goes through his budget during his quiet time. Now, you might say, why in the world does he do that? He sees it as an opportunity to worship. Because here's the thing. Now he uses the Faith fi app, and this isn't a shameless plug. Here's what he does. He says, you know what? As I see each of those envelopes being filled up and then the money going out for me to provide for my family and for me to enjoy and for me to give away. It's actually an act of worship because I'm seeing the tangible, visible expression of God's provision on a daily basis.

That's so righteous.

That's so righteous.

Isn't that great?

Isn't that great?

I love it.

I love it.

So the second one is through our giving. I mean, that's one of these amazing areas that we experience. God. So this is that area. Carl and Ellie, you know that God said, test me in this. And we know in the parable of the shrewd manager that whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much. And so what if we go on an adventure with God in our giving, and watch him work as we get to participate in his activity. In fact, just the other day I had a call to Faith in finance live from Cindy and she said, yeah, we went on that adventure with God in our tithing. Listen to what Cindy had to say.

So the second one is through our giving. I mean, that's one of these amazing areas that we experience. God. So this is that area. Carl and Ellie, you know that God said, test me in this. And we know in the parable of the shrewd manager that whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much. And so what if we go on an adventure with God in our giving, and watch him work as we get to participate in his activity. In fact, just the other day I had a call to Faith in finance live from Cindy and she said, yeah, we went on that adventure with God in our tithing. Listen to what Cindy had to say.

When our children were very young, we always went to church, but we didn't ever tithe because I budgeted every week. At that time I didn't work, I was just raising my kids. And one day, coming home from church that morning, my husband looked at me and said, we're going to start tithing. And I looked at him and I said, the budget is so, so tight right now. We couldn't afford to tithe. He said, I don't care. We're going to tithe. And I didn't see it at all how we could do that. But in faith and listening to my husband, I went ahead and began to tithe. And over just a short period of time, the budget never changed. There wasn't that 10% taken out of my weekly budget. It just was almost kind of miraculous, a little bit the way the Lord worked it out. I would put my weekly tithe, give it to my church in my budget, and the budget stayed the same. It never went any higher, and we've tied ever since. Now, of course, there's been times in our lives where it was we just were not able to, but very few times. But I just want to say, God is so faithful and honoring to us when we honor him. And to this day, I couldn't tell you how that happened, but I shared that with my husband and I said, it's the same amount. And I keep thinking that I'm my math is wrong and I'm not adding it up right. Something's got to give. It's just I was almost a little scared. But that's the way the Lord worked in our lives through our tithing.

When our children were very young, we always went to church, but we didn't ever tithe because I budgeted every week. At that time I didn't work, I was just raising my kids. And one day, coming home from church that morning, my husband looked at me and said, we're going to start tithing. And I looked at him and I said, the budget is so, so tight right now. We couldn't afford to tithe. He said, I don't care. We're going to tithe. And I didn't see it at all how we could do that. But in faith and listening to my husband, I went ahead and began to tithe. And over just a short period of time, the budget never changed. There wasn't that 10% taken out of my weekly budget. It just was almost kind of miraculous, a little bit the way the Lord worked it out. I would put my weekly tithe, give it to my church in my budget, and the budget stayed the same. It never went any higher, and we've tied ever since. Now, of course, there's been times in our lives where it was we just were not able to, but very few times. But I just want to say, God is so faithful and honoring to us when we honor him. And to this day, I couldn't tell you how that happened, but I shared that with my husband and I said, it's the same amount. And I keep thinking that I'm my math is wrong and I'm not adding it up right. Something's got to give. It's just I was almost a little scared. But that's the way the Lord worked in our lives through our tithing.

That's practical. Incredible.

That's practical. Incredible.

Yeah, well. And it's just the reality of God's economy. He's not a cosmic vending machine. And yet crank it through your calculator. The math often doesn't work. And yet, when we go on this adventure with God and say, God, I'm going to trust you, and I'm going to put you first, and I'm going to invite you into my financial life, and I'm going to hold what you've given me loosely so I can give generously. It's not always going to make sense, and yet it does. And that's the opportunity we have when we experience God in our finances. And then the final one, Carl and Allie is experiencing God through His Word. You know, I think so often we just need to turn down the noise of the world and turn up God's voice. And it's just so happens that there's 2300 verses on money and possessions in God's Word. Half the parables deal with this topic. So maybe we ought to lean into Scripture and turn down the noise of the 24 hour news cycle and say, God, what do you have for me in this area as I live with contentment and joy and I invite you through prayer into my daily financial decisions, the paying of the bills and the allocating of your resources. Because here's the reality is that the the most tangible expression of what we value and where we've placed our trust on a daily basis is how we work out the management of his resources.

Yeah, well. And it's just the reality of God's economy. He's not a cosmic vending machine. And yet crank it through your calculator. The math often doesn't work. And yet, when we go on this adventure with God and say, God, I'm going to trust you, and I'm going to put you first, and I'm going to invite you into my financial life, and I'm going to hold what you've given me loosely so I can give generously. It's not always going to make sense, and yet it does. And that's the opportunity we have when we experience God in our finances. And then the final one, Carl and Allie is experiencing God through His Word. You know, I think so often we just need to turn down the noise of the world and turn up God's voice. And it's just so happens that there's 2300 verses on money and possessions in God's Word. Half the parables deal with this topic. So maybe we ought to lean into Scripture and turn down the noise of the 24 hour news cycle and say, God, what do you have for me in this area as I live with contentment and joy and I invite you through prayer into my daily financial decisions, the paying of the bills and the allocating of your resources. Because here's the reality is that the the most tangible expression of what we value and where we've placed our trust on a daily basis is how we work out the management of his resources.

Boom, crew. You're listening to Rob West right now, and here's what's happening. My estimation here is, Ali, is that people are getting this vision for yes, I want that. And the question is what fills the gap? What do we do to move from here to there? And this is where we got to get real practical discipleship and experiencing God is all about one foot in front of the next, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Coming up here, we're going to get super practical. I mean, we're going to break it down. And there's one tool we're going to feature that's going to take this from vision to being an experienced reality of experiencing God. Hang on. More Rob West straight ahead. Maybe the test of experiencing God is not not 1115 on a Sunday morning when the worship teams cranked up. But when you're driving away from a doctor appointment and you've just got some rough news getting really practical with experiencing God this week, we're going to be going right to the heart of God's Word, because encountering him is one thing we've all had encounters with God. Everybody has. Look at look at Romans 116 and following. We've all had encounters with God. Look at creation. But when we can encounter God and experience him on an ongoing basis in our life, look out! This morning we got with us Rob West. We love this man. Talk about a great shepherd of souls. He's a discipler and he particularly helps people get discipled in the area of finance. And Rob, we wanted to feature something that's really important. I love getting practical right. Ali We love getting practical around here. Yes. And we just want to ask you, can you help us with this tool? I know you've got it. It's at faith. Com but I want you. I want to get so practical. How do we take this vision that you just gave of experience and God and put shoe leather to it?

Boom, crew. You're listening to Rob West right now, and here's what's happening. My estimation here is, Ali, is that people are getting this vision for yes, I want that. And the question is what fills the gap? What do we do to move from here to there? And this is where we got to get real practical discipleship and experiencing God is all about one foot in front of the next, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Coming up here, we're going to get super practical. I mean, we're going to break it down. And there's one tool we're going to feature that's going to take this from vision to being an experienced reality of experiencing God. Hang on. More Rob West straight ahead. Maybe the test of experiencing God is not not 1115 on a Sunday morning when the worship teams cranked up. But when you're driving away from a doctor appointment and you've just got some rough news getting really practical with experiencing God this week, we're going to be going right to the heart of God's Word, because encountering him is one thing we've all had encounters with God. Everybody has. Look at look at Romans 116 and following. We've all had encounters with God. Look at creation. But when we can encounter God and experience him on an ongoing basis in our life, look out! This morning we got with us Rob West. We love this man. Talk about a great shepherd of souls. He's a discipler and he particularly helps people get discipled in the area of finance. And Rob, we wanted to feature something that's really important. I love getting practical right. Ali We love getting practical around here. Yes. And we just want to ask you, can you help us with this tool? I know you've got it. It's at faith. Com but I want you. I want to get so practical. How do we take this vision that you just gave of experience and God and put shoe leather to it?

Well, you know, there's a daily rhythm to this, because, listen, the starting point is to recognize we have a high calling. We're money managers for the King of kings. It all belongs to him. And so what is that daily rhythm of managing his money look like? And that's why we built the Faith fi app. So it's a combination of the best content in biblical finance, a community to ask each other questions and share ideas on this journey. And then the money management system, which is built on Larry Burkett's tried and true envelope system in a modern, simple, beautiful expression. So you set up all of your envelopes on all of your spending categories, connect to all of your accounts, credit cards and checking and savings everything downloads automatically. And Julie and I are in it every day, because when we're taking my daughter out to go shopping for clothes or we're going out to dinner, we're checking the Faith fi app to see what's left in each envelope.

Well, you know, there's a daily rhythm to this, because, listen, the starting point is to recognize we have a high calling. We're money managers for the King of kings. It all belongs to him. And so what is that daily rhythm of managing his money look like? And that's why we built the Faith fi app. So it's a combination of the best content in biblical finance, a community to ask each other questions and share ideas on this journey. And then the money management system, which is built on Larry Burkett's tried and true envelope system in a modern, simple, beautiful expression. So you set up all of your envelopes on all of your spending categories, connect to all of your accounts, credit cards and checking and savings everything downloads automatically. And Julie and I are in it every day, because when we're taking my daughter out to go shopping for clothes or we're going out to dinner, we're checking the Faith fi app to see what's left in each envelope.

So give us a scenario of how a family could put this into practice. Let's say a family. They have a general idea of what their budget is. Maybe they have some Excel spreadsheet. How could this take a family from good to great, to borrow that common expression?

So give us a scenario of how a family could put this into practice. Let's say a family. They have a general idea of what their budget is. Maybe they have some Excel spreadsheet. How could this take a family from good to great, to borrow that common expression?

It's a game changer, Ali, because as you know, expenses are up across the board. And here's the reality. Unless we give every dollar a job, it's going to find its way to something that doesn't align with what's most important to us. So it's really simple. You just go in and create a plan. When you pull all of your income and expenses in, it will eventually learn which envelopes they go in. You make sure your plan balances first, and then you start living it out. And as those transactions come in, they automatically drop into each envelope. So at any point, any moment during the month, you can open the Faith VI app and say, what's left in that envelope? Well, I guess we're not eating out anymore until next payday. We're done. Yeah, right. Yeah. And so you're making real time corrections. You're not waiting till the end of the month to see how much you missed it.

It's a game changer, Ali, because as you know, expenses are up across the board. And here's the reality. Unless we give every dollar a job, it's going to find its way to something that doesn't align with what's most important to us. So it's really simple. You just go in and create a plan. When you pull all of your income and expenses in, it will eventually learn which envelopes they go in. You make sure your plan balances first, and then you start living it out. And as those transactions come in, they automatically drop into each envelope. So at any point, any moment during the month, you can open the Faith VI app and say, what's left in that envelope? Well, I guess we're not eating out anymore until next payday. We're done. Yeah, right. Yeah. And so you're making real time corrections. You're not waiting till the end of the month to see how much you missed it.

Some people feel like, well, we're out of that. The desperate weeds of the first four years of marriage. And we've kind of got some things under control. Sometimes unseized or undesignated monies can slip through our hands. Why is this good for someone that's even appears from the world's perspective to be doing pretty well?

Some people feel like, well, we're out of that. The desperate weeds of the first four years of marriage. And we've kind of got some things under control. Sometimes unseized or undesignated monies can slip through our hands. Why is this good for someone that's even appears from the world's perspective to be doing pretty well?

Here's a principle, Carl. Your spending will always rise to your level of income unless you protest. To the contrary. Wow. And so as your income increases over time, you get bonuses. You get a raise. Even if you're in a surplus situation, you will naturally just continue to increase your lifestyle spending unless you say, uh uh, I'm done. I've kept my lifestyle. I've got enough. And so now, as God continues to bless me, I'm going to make sure that it goes beyond those daily expenses into those things that are most important to me, connected to my values and my heart. I want to give more. I want to reduce debt. I want to save for the future. I want to bless somebody on my path. That won't happen. I would argue, unless you have a plan and you can see where the money is going, so you can get it to the places that are most important.

Here's a principle, Carl. Your spending will always rise to your level of income unless you protest. To the contrary. Wow. And so as your income increases over time, you get bonuses. You get a raise. Even if you're in a surplus situation, you will naturally just continue to increase your lifestyle spending unless you say, uh uh, I'm done. I've kept my lifestyle. I've got enough. And so now, as God continues to bless me, I'm going to make sure that it goes beyond those daily expenses into those things that are most important to me, connected to my values and my heart. I want to give more. I want to reduce debt. I want to save for the future. I want to bless somebody on my path. That won't happen. I would argue, unless you have a plan and you can see where the money is going, so you can get it to the places that are most important.

Love it. Rob.

Love it. Rob.

Rob West, host of the nationally syndicated program Faith and Finance Live, also CEO of Kingdom Advisors. If you want more on the website, the app as well, just text money to 800 555 7898. We'll get you set up. Just text money to (800) 555-7898. What a.

Rob West, host of the nationally syndicated program Faith and Finance Live, also CEO of Kingdom Advisors. If you want more on the website, the app as well, just text money to 800 555 7898. We'll get you set up. Just text money to (800) 555-7898. What a.

Tool.

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I don't care where you are in this world. Get on there and get this thing downloaded right now. Text money to 805 five five 7898.

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This is Carl and curling crew on Moody Radio.

This is Carl and curling crew on Moody Radio.

So we're talking about the need to experience God not just to have one off encounters with them, but experience God. And the question is, why do some Christ followers experience God more than others? And there's a lot of reasons for it.

So we're talking about the need to experience God not just to have one off encounters with them, but experience God. And the question is, why do some Christ followers experience God more than others? And there's a lot of reasons for it.

Let's go to the phones. Rosalva calling in from Chicago. Tell us, why do you think God, as some people, experience God more than others?

Let's go to the phones. Rosalva calling in from Chicago. Tell us, why do you think God, as some people, experience God more than others?

I'm thinking, well, that question brought me to the Old Testament where Cain and Abel presented their offerings to God. Um, you know, God accepted Abel's, but not Cain's. I think he's more like it has to be with our motives and heart coming to God.

I'm thinking, well, that question brought me to the Old Testament where Cain and Abel presented their offerings to God. Um, you know, God accepted Abel's, but not Cain's. I think he's more like it has to be with our motives and heart coming to God.

Yeah. Yeah. No, that's right on. Rosalva. Thank you for calling in. That's a great perspective. There's so much behind the Cain and Abel story. It's good stuff. But there's something inside our heart, our motivation, that will either allow us to experience him or he'll feel Decent. Good word. Lisa in Chicago. Thanks for holding on. What do you say?

Yeah. Yeah. No, that's right on. Rosalva. Thank you for calling in. That's a great perspective. There's so much behind the Cain and Abel story. It's good stuff. But there's something inside our heart, our motivation, that will either allow us to experience him or he'll feel Decent. Good word. Lisa in Chicago. Thanks for holding on. What do you say?

I say self discipline. We have to begin to discipline ourselves. I know when I came to Christ, we became born again. I had to discipline myself. I had gone from worrying to worshiping, being alone. To realize that he'll never leave me nor forsake me. And I believe man cannot live by bread alone. But every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. The more you eat His Word daily, the more you want to be intimate with him, the more you want to go to him instead of doing everything on your own. It's a new life. Transformation takes place and you just stay hungry for the word and doing what's right. Practice makes perfect. Yeah.

I say self discipline. We have to begin to discipline ourselves. I know when I came to Christ, we became born again. I had to discipline myself. I had gone from worrying to worshiping, being alone. To realize that he'll never leave me nor forsake me. And I believe man cannot live by bread alone. But every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. The more you eat His Word daily, the more you want to be intimate with him, the more you want to go to him instead of doing everything on your own. It's a new life. Transformation takes place and you just stay hungry for the word and doing what's right. Practice makes perfect. Yeah.

No. Right on. Sister, I got to tell you. Lisa from Chicago. Way to go. Self discipline. And in this one thing we love to highlight around here, the natural kind of the Pavlov's dog kind of response is, oh, I got to go do this. But even self discipline is generated by the unction and the anointing of the spirit. But yes, we walk in his power right on. Gil. First time caller, Franklin Park, Illinois. What do you say, Gil?

No. Right on. Sister, I got to tell you. Lisa from Chicago. Way to go. Self discipline. And in this one thing we love to highlight around here, the natural kind of the Pavlov's dog kind of response is, oh, I got to go do this. But even self discipline is generated by the unction and the anointing of the spirit. But yes, we walk in his power right on. Gil. First time caller, Franklin Park, Illinois. What do you say, Gil?

Yes. Thank you for taking my call. I just would like to quote Dallas Willard, who says that, um, Grace is not opposed to effort. In order for us to experience God more in our lives, we need to be available for the Holy Spirit to speak and feel, feel, feel us.

Yes. Thank you for taking my call. I just would like to quote Dallas Willard, who says that, um, Grace is not opposed to effort. In order for us to experience God more in our lives, we need to be available for the Holy Spirit to speak and feel, feel, feel us.

You know, you're right on. Oh, hold on, stay on that Dallas Willard quote for a second, Gil, because I happen to know it with you. God is not opposed to effort. He is opposed to earning. Isn't that freeing, Gil? Because God. But effort is part of this, isn't it?

You know, you're right on. Oh, hold on, stay on that Dallas Willard quote for a second, Gil, because I happen to know it with you. God is not opposed to effort. He is opposed to earning. Isn't that freeing, Gil? Because God. But effort is part of this, isn't it?

Amen.

Amen.

Love you man. Thanks for calling in. That's great. Good insight here. Let's get a couple more.

Love you man. Thanks for calling in. That's great. Good insight here. Let's get a couple more.

Let's go to Jordan. First time caller from Kentucky. What do you say on this?

Let's go to Jordan. First time caller from Kentucky. What do you say on this?

Um, so my mind instantly goes to, to Moses. And, you know, God had a plan for his life and he was willing to step into that. But also throughout the time that Moses, you know, basically was leading the children of Israel and everything, he had a position that God put him in. So, of course, since he was over people and things and he was yielding to God, he had to, you know, experience God more because the position that he put him in. So willingness the position and then also, you know, talking about Aaron and then I believe, uh, Aaron and Moses's sister Miriam, when they were, you know, scribbling and they were saying, hey, you know, well, why is God talking to Moses more than us, you know? And so he God pulled all three of them together. And it's like I'm talking to Moses in the way that I want to talk with Moses because of my relationship with him. And so I get to choose. But also, you know, he reaches back at me and we actually, you know, have a good relationship together.

Um, so my mind instantly goes to, to Moses. And, you know, God had a plan for his life and he was willing to step into that. But also throughout the time that Moses, you know, basically was leading the children of Israel and everything, he had a position that God put him in. So, of course, since he was over people and things and he was yielding to God, he had to, you know, experience God more because the position that he put him in. So willingness the position and then also, you know, talking about Aaron and then I believe, uh, Aaron and Moses's sister Miriam, when they were, you know, scribbling and they were saying, hey, you know, well, why is God talking to Moses more than us, you know? And so he God pulled all three of them together. And it's like I'm talking to Moses in the way that I want to talk with Moses because of my relationship with him. And so I get to choose. But also, you know, he reaches back at me and we actually, you know, have a good relationship together.

Yeah. And you know what, Jordan? That is right on. I love what you say about position and willingness. And I think one of the cool New Covenant realities and you would resonate with this one, Jordan, is that the veil was torn at the crucifixion of the Son of God when he died for our sins. We've got access and positional authority to be in the presence and power of God. Great insight man. Great insight. Ashley. First time caller. Chicago. What do you say? We'll get you in here.

Yeah. And you know what, Jordan? That is right on. I love what you say about position and willingness. And I think one of the cool New Covenant realities and you would resonate with this one, Jordan, is that the veil was torn at the crucifixion of the Son of God when he died for our sins. We've got access and positional authority to be in the presence and power of God. Great insight man. Great insight. Ashley. First time caller. Chicago. What do you say? We'll get you in here.

You know, I've I've been a follower of Jesus for years, but it wasn't until earlier. Earlier this year, I felt really prompted to get out of an unhealthy relationship. And just. I needed to stop doing things that I wasn't supposed to be doing that weren't honoring God. And once I had a clear conscience. Conscience? It changed everything for me. And I really have to immerse myself all day in Modi, because it's so easy to fall back into the pattern of this world. And I'm telling you, once you have a clear conscience, you just feel the Holy Spirit like never before.

You know, I've I've been a follower of Jesus for years, but it wasn't until earlier. Earlier this year, I felt really prompted to get out of an unhealthy relationship. And just. I needed to stop doing things that I wasn't supposed to be doing that weren't honoring God. And once I had a clear conscience. Conscience? It changed everything for me. And I really have to immerse myself all day in Modi, because it's so easy to fall back into the pattern of this world. And I'm telling you, once you have a clear conscience, you just feel the Holy Spirit like never before.

Awesome. Ashley. First time caller from Chicago. There is something about who we hang with. Yes. That dictates this. Think about it, guys. Are you experiencing God? What needs to change? God wants to be your friend to day. So we all know what it is to have an encounter with God. God himself says through his inspired word, the book of Romans, chapter one, all of creation screams that I exist, so no one has an excuse. That's a sobering thing, isn't it?

Awesome. Ashley. First time caller from Chicago. There is something about who we hang with. Yes. That dictates this. Think about it, guys. Are you experiencing God? What needs to change? God wants to be your friend to day. So we all know what it is to have an encounter with God. God himself says through his inspired word, the book of Romans, chapter one, all of creation screams that I exist, so no one has an excuse. That's a sobering thing, isn't it?

It is.

It is.

So we all have encountered God, whether we know it or not. Amazing thing. I just thought about this recently. They've done some studies on near-death experiences and find out that God's name and cries out to God are some of the most often words uttered. God help me. A near-death or a calamitous situation will cause the garden variety atheist to find God, and I'm not putting it in anyone's face. That's just a reality. He's etched eternity in our hearts. We're image bearers. When the chips are down, we're looking for God. But encounter with God is one thing. Experiencing God is another. God's call on the church was to experience him, to experience him not having to lean back on a testimony. Testimonies are awesome. They're great.

So we all have encountered God, whether we know it or not. Amazing thing. I just thought about this recently. They've done some studies on near-death experiences and find out that God's name and cries out to God are some of the most often words uttered. God help me. A near-death or a calamitous situation will cause the garden variety atheist to find God, and I'm not putting it in anyone's face. That's just a reality. He's etched eternity in our hearts. We're image bearers. When the chips are down, we're looking for God. But encounter with God is one thing. Experiencing God is another. God's call on the church was to experience him, to experience him not having to lean back on a testimony. Testimonies are awesome. They're great.

Right? Oh yeah, I love testimonies.

Right? Oh yeah, I love testimonies.

I love young, thunderous testimony.

I love young, thunderous testimony.

I love sharing it.

I love sharing it.

But I want to remind us that what we find in acts 26 Paul before Agrippa. Check me on this. It's verse 20 or 21. He looked at Agrippa after giving his whole conversion story, and then he said these words, and this God is helping me to this very day. I mean, how powerful is that? Was Paul experiencing God?

But I want to remind us that what we find in acts 26 Paul before Agrippa. Check me on this. It's verse 20 or 21. He looked at Agrippa after giving his whole conversion story, and then he said these words, and this God is helping me to this very day. I mean, how powerful is that? Was Paul experiencing God?

Certainly.

Certainly.

Yeah. What verse are we, buddy?

Yeah. What verse are we, buddy?

22 but God has helped me to this very day. God is helping testify.

22 but God has helped me to this very day. God is helping testify.

Messed you up. No. It's okay. Okay, so how does how does it read? Back up a little bit.

Messed you up. No. It's okay. Okay, so how does how does it read? Back up a little bit.

Okay, check this out. I'll start in verse 21. That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. But God has helped me to this very day. So I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen.

Okay, check this out. I'll start in verse 21. That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. But God has helped me to this very day. So I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen.

So what did he say? His ability to be there is. And sometimes we fly past little words like that. But God is helping me to this very day.

So what did he say? His ability to be there is. And sometimes we fly past little words like that. But God is helping me to this very day.

Yes, it's a big deal.

Yes, it's a big deal.

Yet a day by day experience. He didn't lean back on Damascus. Damascus is awesome. I've got mine. If you're born again, you've got yours. Because there's no salvation. That is not radical, right? The real question is, what's God been doing lately.

Yet a day by day experience. He didn't lean back on Damascus. Damascus is awesome. I've got mine. If you're born again, you've got yours. Because there's no salvation. That is not radical, right? The real question is, what's God been doing lately.

To this very day? Yeah.

To this very day? Yeah.

And it's like you said, both are important because as he's talking to Agrippa, he shares that portion of his story as well. But both are important because we need to know that people need to know that when God saves us, he doesn't just go, okay, now you go on and do your own thing.

And it's like you said, both are important because as he's talking to Agrippa, he shares that portion of his story as well. But both are important because we need to know that people need to know that when God saves us, he doesn't just go, okay, now you go on and do your own thing.

We'll see you when you check into glory.

We'll see you when you check into glory.

Nope. He's walking with you every day in.

Nope. He's walking with you every day in.

The sweet by and by. Yeah. I mean, come on, those are all awesome things. But what about experiencing God between here and there? You know.

The sweet by and by. Yeah. I mean, come on, those are all awesome things. But what about experiencing God between here and there? You know.

I picked up my son. He's a sixth grader. I picked him up from school the other day, and he was he was a little bummed because there had been his group of friends got in trouble that day, and so he got swept up in it and he had not participated, but he got swept up in it. And so they told him he couldn't participate in the flag football game that day.

I picked up my son. He's a sixth grader. I picked him up from school the other day, and he was he was a little bummed because there had been his group of friends got in trouble that day, and so he got swept up in it and he had not participated, but he got swept up in it. And so they told him he couldn't participate in the flag football game that day.

Oh that.

Oh that.

Hurts. And so he was really upset because he couldn't quite convince them that he wasn't a part of it. So he said, I just I prayed about it and I said, God, would you take this suffering from me and a suffering for a sixth grade.

Hurts. And so he was really upset because he couldn't quite convince them that he wasn't a part of it. So he said, I just I prayed about it and I said, God, would you take this suffering from me and a suffering for a sixth grade.

Relative.

Relative.

Taking flag football? He goes, but even if you don't, I'm still going to praise you. And then somehow the truth came to light. The consequences were reallocated. And he said, I felt like God said to me, see, I've got your back.

Taking flag football? He goes, but even if you don't, I'm still going to praise you. And then somehow the truth came to light. The consequences were reallocated. And he said, I felt like God said to me, see, I've got your back.

That's awesome. I thought.

That's awesome. I thought.

What a cool way to experience God in the middle of the school day as a sixth grader, as a.

What a cool way to experience God in the middle of the school day as a sixth grader, as a.

Young man. So the years go by and we grow up and we get older and the stakes get a little higher. Can we experience God? And the answer is we can. And it was God's intent. Where was the church built on? What was the church built? Check this.

Young man. So the years go by and we grow up and we get older and the stakes get a little higher. Can we experience God? And the answer is we can. And it was God's intent. Where was the church built on? What was the church built? Check this.

Out. This is Matthew 1618 and I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Out. This is Matthew 1618 and I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

A lot of people wonder what's going on here. Do you know that a whole how do I capture this? Not denomination. Now let's be really clear. Let's not be foggy in the least. Foggy ain't good. The whole Catholic Church, the papacy, the Pope as we know him today, is built on this verse, this verse, this is it. Because the assumption is, is that Peter was the first Pope on this rock. I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Now, with all humility and gentleness and kindness, I want to tell you, I think that is dangerous and misses the intent of this passage. Well, what would it be if it's not Peter? Carl, I think it's the words that Peter uttered and the the life that he proclaimed because remember, Jesus's deity was sketchy. It was iffy in the culture. Very few had bought in. Peter looked at Jesus and he said. I know Jesus. A lot of people are guessing who in the world you are. A prophet, a reincarnation. But I say to you, you are Messiah. You're the one who came to deliver. See, Jesus said upon the rock of belief that Jesus is the deliverer. Upon that rock that declaration I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. That's the church that's still rock solid today. That's meeting under a tree in Afghanistan for fear of having their heads cut off. They are experiencing God because they see Jesus is the Messiah. Part and parcel with that is their experiencing God.

A lot of people wonder what's going on here. Do you know that a whole how do I capture this? Not denomination. Now let's be really clear. Let's not be foggy in the least. Foggy ain't good. The whole Catholic Church, the papacy, the Pope as we know him today, is built on this verse, this verse, this is it. Because the assumption is, is that Peter was the first Pope on this rock. I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Now, with all humility and gentleness and kindness, I want to tell you, I think that is dangerous and misses the intent of this passage. Well, what would it be if it's not Peter? Carl, I think it's the words that Peter uttered and the the life that he proclaimed because remember, Jesus's deity was sketchy. It was iffy in the culture. Very few had bought in. Peter looked at Jesus and he said. I know Jesus. A lot of people are guessing who in the world you are. A prophet, a reincarnation. But I say to you, you are Messiah. You're the one who came to deliver. See, Jesus said upon the rock of belief that Jesus is the deliverer. Upon that rock that declaration I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. That's the church that's still rock solid today. That's meeting under a tree in Afghanistan for fear of having their heads cut off. They are experiencing God because they see Jesus is the Messiah. Part and parcel with that is their experiencing God.

She was trying to earn her way to God, but God showed her she didn't have to. Ali is in the crew. It's Carl and crew on Moody Radio.

She was trying to earn her way to God, but God showed her she didn't have to. Ali is in the crew. It's Carl and crew on Moody Radio.

What do you do when you get attacked verbally? Maybe there's been a backstab of sorts, or there's ongoing rhetoric that is escalated and intended to do you harm. Innuendo, different things like that. What do we normally do?

What do you do when you get attacked verbally? Maybe there's been a backstab of sorts, or there's ongoing rhetoric that is escalated and intended to do you harm. Innuendo, different things like that. What do we normally do?

Fight back.

Fight back.

Yeah we do. Or we ask for there to be calm or reason, or to take a pause and consider the gravity of words or things like that. But the danger with that, this is totally we're just coming out of the chute with something that's on my heart here this morning. Heard something from someone yesterday about Screwtape Letters and how if C.S. Lewis's masterpiece, by the way, and how when we when we engage people at a point of fallacious rhetoric or craziness or maligning, have you ever noticed you never win those battles?

Yeah we do. Or we ask for there to be calm or reason, or to take a pause and consider the gravity of words or things like that. But the danger with that, this is totally we're just coming out of the chute with something that's on my heart here this morning. Heard something from someone yesterday about Screwtape Letters and how if C.S. Lewis's masterpiece, by the way, and how when we when we engage people at a point of fallacious rhetoric or craziness or maligning, have you ever noticed you never win those battles?

Never.

Never.

They're unwinnable. They're absolutely unwinnable. And so you might think out of your frustration, well, what in the world are we going to do? And I would propose that the path forward is a little bit counterintuitive. I'm not saying we don't speak the truth, but we leave room for God to work. Oftentimes when you get into a debate of sorts or you try to get someone to stop? Let's just say maligning you, misrepresenting things. Excuse me. You hope and expect that people would stop that kind of rhetoric. And this is at a macro level politically. And it's on the playground. Everything in between. It's everywhere.

They're unwinnable. They're absolutely unwinnable. And so you might think out of your frustration, well, what in the world are we going to do? And I would propose that the path forward is a little bit counterintuitive. I'm not saying we don't speak the truth, but we leave room for God to work. Oftentimes when you get into a debate of sorts or you try to get someone to stop? Let's just say maligning you, misrepresenting things. Excuse me. You hope and expect that people would stop that kind of rhetoric. And this is at a macro level politically. And it's on the playground. Everything in between. It's everywhere.

You're right. We never really grow out of it. Those those experiences.

You're right. We never really grow out of it. Those those experiences.

Oh, no.

Oh, no.

I mean, just look at politics right now. I mean, it's crazy town. What's going on? Don't get me going on that, man. I won't.

I mean, just look at politics right now. I mean, it's crazy town. What's going on? Don't get me going on that, man. I won't.

I won't, I won't say nothing, I promise.

I won't, I won't say nothing, I promise.

So here's the deal. Um. God is very clear about this. And we find it in the book of Romans, chapter ten that we need to leave room for God to work. So what does that require us to do? It's a hard discipline, but I was counseled a number of years ago at a very small level with something that kind of came up along these lines keep your head down, keep your mouth shut. Translated for me. Stay focused on God. Stay focused on the mission that God has called you to, and leave room for God to sort this out. Because I have never been able to talk someone down from anything that is maligning, degrading, bad information, any of that stuff. And the reason why is there's intent behind that. So you have to ultimately dig down to the intent behind it and have a rational discussion around intent and fallenness and all that. You never get there. You always stay up here and all you do is fluff that stuff. And those clouds seem to get bigger.

So here's the deal. Um. God is very clear about this. And we find it in the book of Romans, chapter ten that we need to leave room for God to work. So what does that require us to do? It's a hard discipline, but I was counseled a number of years ago at a very small level with something that kind of came up along these lines keep your head down, keep your mouth shut. Translated for me. Stay focused on God. Stay focused on the mission that God has called you to, and leave room for God to sort this out. Because I have never been able to talk someone down from anything that is maligning, degrading, bad information, any of that stuff. And the reason why is there's intent behind that. So you have to ultimately dig down to the intent behind it and have a rational discussion around intent and fallenness and all that. You never get there. You always stay up here and all you do is fluff that stuff. And those clouds seem to get bigger.

What? What has this on your heart this morning?

What? What has this on your heart this morning?

There's so much, frankly, political landscape for sure. But in interpersonal relationships, I think is the biggest one, because our goal here is to help people take their next step with Jesus. And I think, let me just bottom line, you here for a second. Boom crew leave room for God to be God when we try to sort out issues because maybe we've been wounded or hurt, there is something powerful not about cowering, but going into God's corner and saying, hey, God. I'm flummoxed. I'm at the end of myself. I don't know how to sort this thing out. And hearing God's still small voice say, I got you. I'm not wringing my hands, I got you. And I think the way this directly applies in what I'm thinking of today is interpersonal conflicts. If I've noticed, they haven't gone away. They're still out there, right? Still there? Yeah. Okay. Just checking. And the tendency is to wade into the middle of those things and to try to sort them out. I'm not saying the absence of truth is the essence of conflict resolution. No. Truth is a good thing. But when you start fighting for truth or getting into a line of argumentation for truth, I've never seen that battle won. Never. I've never seen someone in any circle, in any sphere pick up their head and go. Huh? You were right. No, there has to be an intervention from God. And often God will allow a person that actually sits in that without keeping that debate going, sits in that to begin to see the long tail effect of that. Or maybe they have it come back on them. That's a promise that we find over and over in Scripture. People that dig a hole for you to fall in if you cling to God and don't trip over the line of argumentation, you will find, according to the Psalms, that the very hole that they dug out is the one that they're going to fall into. So I think, practically speaking, I just want to break it down for you here this morning. This is just on my heart. Quickly disengage from line of argumentation that you can know full well. And you see clearly there's no win in this thing. Disengage. Go to God. Let him be God. I'm big on allowing room for God to be God because boy, is he mighty.

There's so much, frankly, political landscape for sure. But in interpersonal relationships, I think is the biggest one, because our goal here is to help people take their next step with Jesus. And I think, let me just bottom line, you here for a second. Boom crew leave room for God to be God when we try to sort out issues because maybe we've been wounded or hurt, there is something powerful not about cowering, but going into God's corner and saying, hey, God. I'm flummoxed. I'm at the end of myself. I don't know how to sort this thing out. And hearing God's still small voice say, I got you. I'm not wringing my hands, I got you. And I think the way this directly applies in what I'm thinking of today is interpersonal conflicts. If I've noticed, they haven't gone away. They're still out there, right? Still there? Yeah. Okay. Just checking. And the tendency is to wade into the middle of those things and to try to sort them out. I'm not saying the absence of truth is the essence of conflict resolution. No. Truth is a good thing. But when you start fighting for truth or getting into a line of argumentation for truth, I've never seen that battle won. Never. I've never seen someone in any circle, in any sphere pick up their head and go. Huh? You were right. No, there has to be an intervention from God. And often God will allow a person that actually sits in that without keeping that debate going, sits in that to begin to see the long tail effect of that. Or maybe they have it come back on them. That's a promise that we find over and over in Scripture. People that dig a hole for you to fall in if you cling to God and don't trip over the line of argumentation, you will find, according to the Psalms, that the very hole that they dug out is the one that they're going to fall into. So I think, practically speaking, I just want to break it down for you here this morning. This is just on my heart. Quickly disengage from line of argumentation that you can know full well. And you see clearly there's no win in this thing. Disengage. Go to God. Let him be God. I'm big on allowing room for God to be God because boy, is he mighty.

Yeah, we have to remember to do that too. That anything you think you can do and be successful in God is God is going to be way more effective in that. We got to let him be God, not us.

Yeah, we have to remember to do that too. That anything you think you can do and be successful in God is God is going to be way more effective in that. We got to let him be God, not us.

Let him be God. Let him be God. So I don't know how that translates for you today, but I got a I believe in the core of my belly right now that there is more than 1 or 2 of you listening, driving into work face in a conversation with a teacher who has totally misrepresented your child. Now, I'm not a big Johnny's perfect guy. Johnny screws up plenty. But there are those times when people in positions of authority get things all wrong. And there's something about speaking truth. Let it go. And let God be God in this thing. And it's in every sphere of life.

Let him be God. Let him be God. So I don't know how that translates for you today, but I got a I believe in the core of my belly right now that there is more than 1 or 2 of you listening, driving into work face in a conversation with a teacher who has totally misrepresented your child. Now, I'm not a big Johnny's perfect guy. Johnny screws up plenty. But there are those times when people in positions of authority get things all wrong. And there's something about speaking truth. Let it go. And let God be God in this thing. And it's in every sphere of life.

We have this need so often to, like, get the last word. Oh, the need to have our rightness. Verified and proven. Yeah.

We have this need so often to, like, get the last word. Oh, the need to have our rightness. Verified and proven. Yeah.

Yeah. In fact, it's a boiling passion within us.

Yeah. In fact, it's a boiling passion within us.

Absolutely.

Absolutely.

And by the way, that is a reflection of the fact that we are innately born of God and we are image bearers because God is the God of truth. God's God of justice. God's God of all things that are right. God is not wrong. Isn't that cool? God is never wrong.

And by the way, that is a reflection of the fact that we are innately born of God and we are image bearers because God is the God of truth. God's God of justice. God's God of all things that are right. God is not wrong. Isn't that cool? God is never wrong.

Amen.

Amen.

But he knows that we will be wronged. And he says vengeance is mine, I will repay. Stay on mission. Stay focused on me. Because oftentimes you know what happens in these situations. They drag us away from our calling. They drag us away from our joy. They drag us away from all the fruit of the spirit, and we become a detached branch. And we're out there scrambling in the marketplace, in the schools, in the highways and byways of life. And and then we're just this dried up branch, and we're better off to go back to Jesus and say, I'm going to abide in you today, and I'm going to trust you. And is it hard to trust God when you're going through tough situations that you seem powerless to control? Oh, yes. Oh my goodness. It's tough, but God, it's an awesome thing. Today, I have no clue how that relates to you. And I was cogitating on this early this morning, and I didn't even have a clue that I was going to share this when the mic got hot this hour, but there's got to be something in that for you this morning. And I hope so. I was thinking early this morning how sweet parenting our kids was, and I really mean this. I was trying to think back to a season in our kids life, when now there were occasions that I wanted to trade in our middle school son for any other kid, but I can honestly look back, and I can't think of a season where I didn't have radical joy with my kiddos. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Were there tough times? There were tough times. And I think sometimes just our approach to kiddos, how do we see them? Do we see them as gifts of God, even when they're doing knucklehead things like hacking into the homeschool network and getting all their algebra answers, having a phenomenal year grades wise, and then finding out in college shouldn't have hacked into that. Homeschool network to get my, you know, the answers to the questions, to be fair. That was our son. Little shortcut arundo. He confessed that a few years later. So there's tough times for sure. But how do we experience God in all these different areas of life? Yesterday we talked about finances with Rob West, and I think sometimes we look at kiddos and there can be seasons when it gets dicey and you're like, yeah, experiencing God. You got to be kidding me. But it's a great thing to discuss because if we are born again by the power of the spirit called to this abundant living, even the toughest times with kids, we can taste and see that God is still good in those.

But he knows that we will be wronged. And he says vengeance is mine, I will repay. Stay on mission. Stay focused on me. Because oftentimes you know what happens in these situations. They drag us away from our calling. They drag us away from our joy. They drag us away from all the fruit of the spirit, and we become a detached branch. And we're out there scrambling in the marketplace, in the schools, in the highways and byways of life. And and then we're just this dried up branch, and we're better off to go back to Jesus and say, I'm going to abide in you today, and I'm going to trust you. And is it hard to trust God when you're going through tough situations that you seem powerless to control? Oh, yes. Oh my goodness. It's tough, but God, it's an awesome thing. Today, I have no clue how that relates to you. And I was cogitating on this early this morning, and I didn't even have a clue that I was going to share this when the mic got hot this hour, but there's got to be something in that for you this morning. And I hope so. I was thinking early this morning how sweet parenting our kids was, and I really mean this. I was trying to think back to a season in our kids life, when now there were occasions that I wanted to trade in our middle school son for any other kid, but I can honestly look back, and I can't think of a season where I didn't have radical joy with my kiddos. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Were there tough times? There were tough times. And I think sometimes just our approach to kiddos, how do we see them? Do we see them as gifts of God, even when they're doing knucklehead things like hacking into the homeschool network and getting all their algebra answers, having a phenomenal year grades wise, and then finding out in college shouldn't have hacked into that. Homeschool network to get my, you know, the answers to the questions, to be fair. That was our son. Little shortcut arundo. He confessed that a few years later. So there's tough times for sure. But how do we experience God in all these different areas of life? Yesterday we talked about finances with Rob West, and I think sometimes we look at kiddos and there can be seasons when it gets dicey and you're like, yeah, experiencing God. You got to be kidding me. But it's a great thing to discuss because if we are born again by the power of the spirit called to this abundant living, even the toughest times with kids, we can taste and see that God is still good in those.

I want to bring in an expert, Arlene Pelikan. She's a marriage and parenting expert, speaker, author, host of the Happy Home Podcast. Arlene, what would you say is the biggest obstacle to families experiencing God together in their parenting, in their everyday.

I want to bring in an expert, Arlene Pelikan. She's a marriage and parenting expert, speaker, author, host of the Happy Home Podcast. Arlene, what would you say is the biggest obstacle to families experiencing God together in their parenting, in their everyday.

I'm going to go, Ali. There's a lot of obstacles, right? You know, we've got the phone, we've got social media, we have busyness, all this. But I think it is not seeking God. It is. It's not looking for him because we can be as close to God as we want to be. And I think as parents, when we stop seeking him fully, like every day. And it doesn't mean like, you know, every day you're on your knees for hours and hours of the day. But it's this attitude of, I need God. I need to seek him. I need to look for him today in my family. So I think when we compartmentalize and we say, well, I went to church on Sunday and I read my Bible for five minutes, like I'm good. I think that's how we miss experiencing God.

I'm going to go, Ali. There's a lot of obstacles, right? You know, we've got the phone, we've got social media, we have busyness, all this. But I think it is not seeking God. It is. It's not looking for him because we can be as close to God as we want to be. And I think as parents, when we stop seeking him fully, like every day. And it doesn't mean like, you know, every day you're on your knees for hours and hours of the day. But it's this attitude of, I need God. I need to seek him. I need to look for him today in my family. So I think when we compartmentalize and we say, well, I went to church on Sunday and I read my Bible for five minutes, like I'm good. I think that's how we miss experiencing God.

You know, Arlene, I'm so glad we brought you on, and I'm glad we're headed this way because I think about all the content that you hear about parenting, and I'm not certain that we talk a lot about. Put the face mask on yourself first spiritual metaphor here, and then help your kiddos. You know what I mean, Arlene? So let's go a little deeper on that. Let's talk about the devotional life of a parent that experiences God, because that's what you're talking about today.

You know, Arlene, I'm so glad we brought you on, and I'm glad we're headed this way because I think about all the content that you hear about parenting, and I'm not certain that we talk a lot about. Put the face mask on yourself first spiritual metaphor here, and then help your kiddos. You know what I mean, Arlene? So let's go a little deeper on that. Let's talk about the devotional life of a parent that experiences God, because that's what you're talking about today.

Yeah. And realizing as a parent, you and all of us. Like, it's not that every single day you're going to have this like, I experience the glory of God. I sense His spirit. I am empowered by God. Like you're walking daily by faith. And there might be days, seasons where it's like, God, where are you? Like, I don't see you, I don't feel you, but you're still showing up. So it's showing up to your Bible study. It's showing up to church. It's showing up to like, Lord, it's me in the morning and Lord, good night and thank you at night. And and that constant trying to talk to God. And I think in that perseverance and in that pursuit, you know, there are those moments right where it's like, oh my goodness, I was in the car and I was listening to the song, and I just started weeping because I knew God was trying to talk to me. So you just keep walking and God will give you those really, really close moments. And I think it is seeing that devotional life like you're talking about your middle son, when you see the fault in your child, for us to realize, oh my goodness, Lord, it's just a reflection of me. Like I'm so mad because I see myself, you know, in that child. I'm not saying you see yourself in your bills.

Yeah. And realizing as a parent, you and all of us. Like, it's not that every single day you're going to have this like, I experience the glory of God. I sense His spirit. I am empowered by God. Like you're walking daily by faith. And there might be days, seasons where it's like, God, where are you? Like, I don't see you, I don't feel you, but you're still showing up. So it's showing up to your Bible study. It's showing up to church. It's showing up to like, Lord, it's me in the morning and Lord, good night and thank you at night. And and that constant trying to talk to God. And I think in that perseverance and in that pursuit, you know, there are those moments right where it's like, oh my goodness, I was in the car and I was listening to the song, and I just started weeping because I knew God was trying to talk to me. So you just keep walking and God will give you those really, really close moments. And I think it is seeing that devotional life like you're talking about your middle son, when you see the fault in your child, for us to realize, oh my goodness, Lord, it's just a reflection of me. Like I'm so mad because I see myself, you know, in that child. I'm not saying you see yourself in your bills.

But I'll let you see you telling me I'm hacking the network. No, you're right, Arleen, but it is.

But I'll let you see you telling me I'm hacking the network. No, you're right, Arleen, but it is.

It's just that realization as parents that we too are children of God, just like our kids are. And when we can see that, oh my goodness, God has given me this child so that I could be closer to the father so I could have this closer relationship with God. It kind of turns those, all those little wobbles into something that you realize, oh, God is trying to refine me, not just my child.

It's just that realization as parents that we too are children of God, just like our kids are. And when we can see that, oh my goodness, God has given me this child so that I could be closer to the father so I could have this closer relationship with God. It kind of turns those, all those little wobbles into something that you realize, oh, God is trying to refine me, not just my child.

Arlene Pelikan, our guest this morning. She's been featured on major media outlets like The Today Show, focus on the family, Fox and Friends. You know, Arlene, when you're seeking to raise kids in a Christian home with good values, with a an awe and fear of God, one of the most frustrating things can be when you see them not embracing the things that they've been taught as they enter maybe, maybe teen or young adult years. And there's a lot of parents listening who experience maybe a lot of frustration. Their kids don't want to go to church anymore. Their kids have stopped reading the Bible. Maybe they were homeschooled and they're in a season of rebellion. It can be difficult to experience God when we feel like our kids are actively fighting against it. Right.

Arlene Pelikan, our guest this morning. She's been featured on major media outlets like The Today Show, focus on the family, Fox and Friends. You know, Arlene, when you're seeking to raise kids in a Christian home with good values, with a an awe and fear of God, one of the most frustrating things can be when you see them not embracing the things that they've been taught as they enter maybe, maybe teen or young adult years. And there's a lot of parents listening who experience maybe a lot of frustration. Their kids don't want to go to church anymore. Their kids have stopped reading the Bible. Maybe they were homeschooled and they're in a season of rebellion. It can be difficult to experience God when we feel like our kids are actively fighting against it. Right.

And I think here it is when the kids are older. Right. So you've got like a sophomore, a junior. They know. They know what you're thinking. They know that you think what they're doing is not so good. So those the lectures and the reminders may not that that might not be the direction you want to go because they know those things. So I think and I know people will say, oh, I'm just going to pray for you. Hey, man, there is no just and I'm going to pray for you. You know, so you just think of, okay, I'm going to, you know, in Ephesians, Paul is saying, I bow my knee to the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you might know the depth and the width and the height of God's love. And I was someone had said to me like that bowing was really, like serious. Like they they used to stand to pray. So if they're bowing, it's like, what is this? You know, so it is this idea of, I am going to be so desperate in my prayers and I'm going to pray for this child. So I'm going to have the bridge toward my child. I'm not going to try to alienate my teen child by telling him and shaming him and all these kinds of things. I'm going to, like, keep the burning coals on their head. In other words, I'm going to be so loving. I'm going to be so gracious to this kid that this kid is going to be like, oh, man, I can't barely stand it. I at least have to go to church on Mother's Day and Father's Day. You know that that you are loving that child. You're praying for them and you. You are taking opportunities and it doesn't mean you're soft or you're weak when there are places that you have to draw the boundary. You're like, no, no, no, child of mine. You cannot go to that person's house and you must be at our house. So I'm not saying let them, you know, just say yes all the time. No. But the attitude is, is really of love and not condemnation.