Bloom Church Podcast

FOR EVERY OUTCOME YOU DESIRE, THERE MUST BE AN INPUT DISCIPLINE FOR IT TO BECOME A REALITY.   Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. James 2:17-18 NIV   OUTWARD DISCIPLINES   “When we live outside of healthy community, we not only lose others. We lose ourselves...Who we understand ourselves to be is dramatically affected for better or worse by those we hold closest to us. We only truly come to know ourselves in the context of others. The more isolated and disconnected we are, the more shattered and distorted our self-identity. We are not healthy when we are alone. We find ourselves as we connect to others.” Erwin McManus   Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” Genesis 2:18 NLT    Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so

FOR EVERY OUTCOME YOU DESIRE, THERE MUST BE AN INPUT DISCIPLINE FOR IT TO BECOME A REALITY.   Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. James 2:17-18 NIV   You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12 NLT   So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 NLT   At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid. One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:2-3 NLT   So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said.

  My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:1-5 NLT   Godly Wisdom    You Are What You Eat   “Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are…” – Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin   “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future”   “You are the average of the 10 people you spend the most time with”   “Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.” Proverbs 13:20 MSG    “Well, I am the good influence in our friend group!”    “…Bad company corrupts good character” 1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV    If you stay in an unhealthy relationship long enough it will eventually change you   Inspect   Is walking in my God given calling worth a temporary discomfort?   Is passive

My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:1-5 NLT   ANYTHING OR ANYONE DIFFERENT CAN BE DIFFICULT Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 2 Timothy 2:23-24 NLT   D. I. R. T. DON’T IGNORE RELATIONAL TENSION   GUARD RAILS OF COMMUNICATION   1. REMAIN CALM AND GENTLE A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. Proverbs 15:1 NLT   People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness. Proverbs 14:29 NLT   Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. Proverbs 29:11 NLT   Control you

My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:1-5 NLT   PEOPLE INTERPRET WHAT YOU SAY NOT WHAT YOU INTENDED TO SAY.    1. THE WISE UNDERSTAND THAT OUR WORDS PRODUCE EITHER LIFE OR DEATHBlessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. Proverbs 10:6 NIV   The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Proverbs 18:21 NLT   In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell it

1. WHAT DO WE WANT? 2. WHY DO WE WANT IT? 3. HOW BADLY DO WE WANT IT?   For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Proverbs 2:10-11 NIV   Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed. Proverbs 3:13-18 NIV   I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their tre

THE RUTHLESS ELIMINATION OF HURRY   BUSYNESS   BUSYNESS            HOW ARE YOU DOING?   “THE PROBLEM ISN’T WHEN YOU HAVE A LOT TO DO; ITS WHEN YOU HAVE TOO MUCH TO DO AND THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP THE QUOTA UP IS TO HURRY.” – JOHN MARK COMER   “YOU MUST RUTHLESSLY ELIMINATE HURRY FROM YOUR LIFE.” – DALLAS WILLARD   “THERE IS NOTHING ELSE. HURRY IS THE GREAT ENEMY OF SPIRITUAL LIFE IN OUR DAY. YOU MUST RUTHLESSLY ELIMINATE HURRY FROM YOUR LIFE.” – DALLAS WILLARD   HURRY IS NOT JUST A DIS-ORDERED SCHEDULE. HURRY IS A DIS-ORDERED HEART.   “IF THE DEVIL CAN’T MAKE YOU SIN, HE’LL MAKE YOU BUSY.” – CORRIE TEN BOOM   “HURRY IS NOT OF THE DEVIL; HURRY IS THE DEVIL.” – CARL JUNG   BOTH SIN AND BUSYNESS HAVE THE SAME EFFECT – THEY CUT OFF YOUR CONNECTION TO GOD, PEOPLE AND YOUR OWN SOUL   “Today a number of historical circumstances are blindly flowing together and accidentally conspiring to produce a climate within which it is difficult not just to think about God or to pray, but simply to have any interior depth whatsoever

If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. Matthew 16:25 NLT   And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:18-20 NLT   QUESTIONS THAT DETERMINE WHOSE WAY WE ARE CHOOSING   Then Balak tried again. This time he sent a larger number of even more distinguished officials than those he had sent the first time. They went to Balaam and delivered this message to him: “This is what Balak son of Zippor says: Please don’t let anything stop you from coming to help me. I will pay you very well and do whatever you tell me. Just come and curse these people

STAY SUBMITTED AND COMMITTED TO THE WILL OF GOD!   You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. Psalms 16:11 NLT   Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe. But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him. Genesis 37:3-4 NLT   1. GRASP THAT PERSPECTIVE IMPACTS YOUR FUTURE   Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2 NLT   The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Genesis 39:2 NLT   But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. Genesis 39:21 NLT   Let God transform you into a new person by changin

Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath, came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel. He was over nine feet tall! He wore a bronze helmet, and his bronze coat of mail weighed 125 pounds. He also wore bronze leg armor, and he carried a bronze javelin on his shoulder. The shaft of his spear was as heavy and thick as a weaver’s beam, tipped with an iron spearhead that weighed  pounds. His armor bearer walked ahead of him carrying a shield. Goliath stood and shouted a taunt across to the Israelites. “Why are you all coming out to fight?” he called. “I am the Philistine champion, but you are only the servants of Saul. Choose one man to come down here and fight me! If he kills me, then we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves! I defy the armies of Israel today! Send me a man who will fight me!” When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken. 1 Samuel 17:4-11 NLT   YOUR GOLIATH DOES NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO DEFINE YOUR FUTURE. HOWEVER, Y

1. MAKE SURE YOU ARE FOLLOWING THE RIGHT PERSON   Ruth the Moabitess asked Naomi, “Will you let me go into the fields and gather fallen grain behind someone with whom I find favor?” Ruth 2:2 CSB   Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. Proverbs 13:20 NLT   A person’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9 CSB   2. THE DILIGENT REAP THE HARVEST WHILE THE IDLE REAP SCARCITY   She asked, ‘Will you let me gather fallen grain among the bundles behind the harvesters? ’ She came and has been on her feet since early morning, except that she rested a little in the shelter.” Ruth 2:7 CSB   Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! Proverbs 14:23 NLT   Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring riches. The son who gathers during summer is prudent; the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful. Proverbs 10:4-5 CSB   The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Ch

Do it AFRAID    PRESSURE IS A PRIVILEGE    “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” Nehemiah 1:3 NLT    “ When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of Heaven.” Nehemiah 1:4 NLT    “Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence. So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.” Nehemiah 2:1-2 NLT    “…Then I was terrified...” Nehemiah 2:2 NLT    “…I was terrified, but I replied” Nehemiah 2:2-3 NLT    A NERVOUS FEELING IS A GOOD THING   “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” The king asked, “Well, how

Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. If they have any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in church meetings. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 NLT   Women should learn quietly and submissively. I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly. 1 Timothy 2:11-12 NLT   1. NEVER READ A VERSE ALONE 2. REMEMBER, THAT THE BIBLE IS WRITTEN FOR US BUT NOT TO US. 3. THE BIBLE DOES NOT CONTRADICT ITSELF   Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice ; to another the

Alaska: No moose on sidewalks Arizona: It is illegal for a donkey to sleep in a bathtub Kentucky: It is illegal to carry ice cream in your back pocket Connecticut: It is illegal to sell a pickle that does not bounce   1. THE BIBLE IS A LIBRARY, NOT A BOOK.   All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16 NLT   “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life. John 5:39-40 NLT   2. THE BIBLE IS WRITTEN FOR US, NOT TO US.   You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to d

THE PURPOSE OF THE SHEPHERD   I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11 1. THE SHEPHERD PROVIDES The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. Psalms 23:1-2 ESV   And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 2. THE SHEPHERD RESTORES He restores my soul…. Psalms 23:3 ESV   The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” Judges 6:12 NLT   you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession 1 Peter 2:9 NOT   3. THE SHEPHERD LEADS He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Psalms 23:3 ESV   The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and t

“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Mark 12:30-31 NLT   “…love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength…” Mark 12:30 NLT    Me’od   Me’od: Muchness   “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT    WE CAN’T EXPECT AN ORDINARY LIFE WHEN WE SERVE AN EXTRAORDINARY GOD    “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:31 NLT    “…Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strate

    “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me’” -Erma Bombeck   If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. Matthew 10:37-39 NLT   And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Mark 12:30-31 NLT   WHEN YOU ARE INTIMATELY CONNECTED WITH SOMEONE YOU HAVE A DEEP DESIRE TO DO WHAT THEY LOVE.   LOVING JESUS WITH ALL YOUR SOUL IS HAVING THE SAME DESIRES THAT HE DESIRED.   “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witness

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Mark 12:30-31    “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV   ochuroma (okh-oo'-ro-mah); to fortify, a strong castle, a prisoner locked by deception.   DEMOLISHING THE STRONGHOLD OF THE MIND   1. IDENTIFY THE STRONGHOLD   “Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.” 2 Timothy 2:26 NLT    “When he (the devil) lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44 ESV   We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised agai