SPf 205: Hope in the Midst of Fear
Fear is a quintessential human issue, and one of the greatest things that comes from fear is that it drives us to our Savior who is our strength and our refuge. Today I am sharing how we can prove faithful when we are fearful and how we can always have hope.
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Hope in the Midst of Fear
“Their greatest good is that they remind us that we are small and that we need Jesus. Dependence on him is life; independence is a deadly myth.” - Ed Welch
There are fearful and frightening things in this world. There are terrors and troubles and tribulations that make our frailty, weakness and smallness known. It is for our greatest good that these things would make us run to our Savior who has overcome the world and who never fails to intercede for us.
Psalm 46
God is a very present help in our troubles. The word present actually translates into found he is are found help meaning discovered and proved secure.
Isaiah 28:16 says: Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion,
a stone, a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation:
‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’
Jesus is a tested stone, he has proved secure capable of being our help - not just capable, but the best and greatest source of help in our troubles.
“If the earth be removed, those have reason to fear who have laid up their treasures on earth, and set their hearts upon it; but not those who have laid up for themselves treasures in heaven, and who expect to be most happy when the earth and all the works that are there in shall be burnt up. let those be troubled at the troubling waters who build their confidence on such a floating foundation, but not those who are led to the rock that is higher than they, and find firm footing upon that rock.” - Matthew Henry
Not only do we have Christ as our firm foundation, but Psalm 46 also teaches us that trouble will not prevail against God’s church. He is within her and she will not fail.
Here are a few other things we must remember:
Today you have all the grace you need and that grace is new every morning
Dependence on the Lord creates hopefulness. Depression is being in fear without hope.
This is the pattern of Christian growth - that we would grown in endurance, which would grow our character, which would grow our hope
We are not at the mercy of people - we are at the mercy of God
Resources
(amazon links are affiliate links)
Table Talk Magazine: https://tabletalkmagazine.com/
SPF 204: Growing in Contentment during Trials
“Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, freely submitting to, and taking complacency in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.” - Jeremiah Burroughs What are some things that are not in opposition and are in opposition of a quiet contented heart?
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Christian Contentment
Philippians 4:10-13
Contentment is learned.
Contentment is a trust in God’s sovereignty.
Contentment is a satisfaction in the all-sufficiency of God.
“Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, freely submitting to, and taking complacency in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.” - Jeremiah Burroughs
What a contented quiet heart can do in a trial:
Recognize the cross you are bearing is a cross. “Inward quietness is not in opposition to the sense of affliction.” - Burroughs
Make your moan and complaint to the Lord - seek him! and seek out wise counsel.
Pursuing legal and biblical means to get out of the trial, but also to wait on the Lord and let our hearts
Challenges to a quiet contented heart:
Do not murmur or repine
Do not fret or be vexed
See that there is not a tumultuousness of spirit in you
See that there is not unsettledness in your spirit
Do not be distracted by fears in your hearts
Turn from sinking discouragements
Do not rebel against the Lord
“This is the quietness of spirit under affliction.” - Burroughs
Resources
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SPF 203: The Christmas Spectacular (with Andy Hlushak)
It's that time of year again! It's time for the Christmas Spectacular - laugh with us and be encouraged that God's blessings flow as far as the curse is found!
Enjoying the She Proves Faithful Podcast?
Consider supporting the podcast in one of these ways:
Give $5 monthly on Patreon to the SPF Podcast and get access to extra resources. Learn more at patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful.com
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Check out my Amazon Storefront - it’s full of all my recommended resources and categorized for ease of finding just what you are looking for! Plus with every click and/or purchase, you support the podcast! See the store here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sheprovesfaithful
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Merry Christmas!
Thank you to everyone who has supported the podcast! Patreon supporters can get a thank you gift here: patreon.com/sheprovesfaitful
12 Days of Christmas Devotion: Get it here!
Resources
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SPF 202: 12 Days of Christmas & Celebrating Like a Christian
Ever wonder what the 12 days of Christmas is all about? Or have you celebrated advent and easter but wondered about the Christian liturgical calendar? Have you thought of celebrating as worship and warfare? Have some fun with me today as I discuss these things and share some seasonal encouragement.
Enjoying the She Proves Faithful Podcast?
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Give $5 monthly on Patreon to the SPF Podcast and get access to extra resources. Learn more at patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful.com
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Check out my Amazon Storefront - it’s full of all my recommended resources and categorized for ease of finding just what you are looking for! Plus with every click and/or purchase, you support the podcast! See the store here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sheprovesfaithful
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Merry Christmas Patreon Supporters!
If you are a patreon supporter, head on over to patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful and pick 1 of 5 Visual Theology posters. You can choose one and print it out yourself or have it professionally printed!
Also all SPF listeners get to use the code sheproves for 15% off your purchase! Check it out at visualtheology.church and use code sheproves - Merry Christmas!
Get 15% off with code sheproves at visualtheology.church
Why We Celebrate
God is a God of joy! He is a God who gives good things and we get to celebrate! Celebration isn’t just for our joy, but it’s a way to wage war. It shows the enemy no matter what, Christ is King and victorious AND we worship God not the spirit of the age, not the government, not popular opinion or fear. Christian celebrations are a mark of worship and communicate to the world who our King is.
Psalm 23 says that God prepares for us a feast in the presence of our enemies. A feast. A celebration. Our joy in these distinctively Christian celebrations are a sword we swing to defeat the enemies of Christ.
WHAT we celebrate, and HOW we celebrate communicates to the world a message. If we celebrate Christian things in Christian ways, WITH JOY, it says, Christ is our King and His Kingdom is HERE and his KINGDOM is GROWING.
Celebrate. With a smile on your face and thankfulness in your heart.
Two ways to celebrate as a Christian: with feasting and worship
As a Christian be sure to include feasting and worship. Make your celebration about God and His redemption in all these seasons. Make it about Christ ruling as King. Make a meal unto the Lord and be glad. And even if it can’t be the most elaborate feast, I think of the Proverbs:
Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife. Prov 17:1
Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. Pr 15:16-17
Memorize Isaiah 11 this Christmas!
Get the free print out here: sheprovesfaithful.com/blog/isaiah11
Reading Plan
The 12 Days of Christmas Reading: Get it Here!
Resources
Amazon links are affiliate links.
SPF 201: Waiting - A Hopefulness in the Valley
Waiting for Christmas is fun. Waiting while you walk through the valley of the shadow of death is not so much fun. Today I’m sharing a bit about the hopefulness in the wait, even if it’s walking through a trial.
Enjoying the She Proves Faithful Podcast?
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Check out my Amazon Storefront - it’s full of all my recommended resources and categorized for ease of finding just what you are looking for! Plus with every click and/or purchase, you support the podcast! See the store here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sheprovesfaithful
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Christmas is Coming!
Patreon supporters - I have a special Christmas gift for you! It’s coming soon! Thank you for your generous support!
Christmas Sugar Cookies - High Altitude
We live at 6,000+ feet and I have found this sugar cookie recipe to work really well for sugar cookie cut out shapes AND cookie bars (which is just pressed in a pyrex pan). I have used this recipe many years and love it. The dough is a bit more crumbly but sticks together well, once you start working with it.
http://highaltitudecooking.blogspot.com/2007/12/simple-sugar-cookies.html
Waiting
“Celebrating Advent means being able to wait.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
“Whoever does not know the austere blessedness of waiting - that is, of hopefully doing without - will never never experience the full blessing of fulfillment.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Isaiah 40
Psalm 23
Resources
(amazon links are affiliate links)
Memorize Isaiah 11:1-5 this month: https://www.sheprovesfaithful.com/blog/isaiah11
Check out other SPF Christmas episodes: https://www.sheprovesfaithful.com/blog/christmas-episodes
SPF 200: Q & A with my Husband (and the Hopefulness of Generations)
It’s been 200 episodes on the She Proves Faithful podcast! Today my husband celebrates this occasion by asking some questions and talking to me about the hopefulness of the future.
THANK YOU TO MY PATREON SUPPORTERS!
Thank you so much for being on this journey with me. I am so grateful for your generous support and encouragement. I will be doing a giveaway JUST for you on patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful so be sure to check it out AFTER Thanksgiving (the timing of a 200th episode during the holidays was not planned haha)! You are entered automatically because you are patreon members!
Enjoying SPF?
Consider supporting the podcast in one of these ways:
Give $5 monthly on Patreon to the SPF Podcast and get access to extra resources. Learn more at patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful.com
Try Audible for a month for FREE and get TWO FREE audiobooks that you can keep forever! When you try Audible (even if you do not sign up), the SPF Podcast is directly supported. More info here: https://amzn.to/2CZLh41
Check out my Amazon Storefront - it’s full of all my recommended resources and categorized for ease of finding just what you are looking for! Plus with every click and/or purchase, you support the podcast! See the store here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sheprovesfaithful
Love taking care of your family? Try Earthley Wellness Products for your skin, body, hair, and herbal remedies! https://www.earthley.com/ref/lauren.hlushak/
Is the World Getting Better?
Here are a couple more nuggets to encourage you:
Check out this fun “Sweater Vest Dialogue” between James White and Douglas Wilson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRUBEV5e1JI
Here is a sermon series by Pastor Jeff Durbin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KMQoKhAJNE
SPF 199: Good Books, Reading Aloud, and Teaching Virtue with Guest Nina from Strawberry Mountain Books
Good conversation, increased vocabulary, imagination, and wisdom - these are just a few reasons why reading aloud to our kids is important. But how do we incorporate a Christian worldview and how do we choose a good book to read to our kids? Today I have a special guest, Nina with Strawberry Mountain Books, to share some wisdom and tips when it comes to reading to our children.
Enjoying the She Proves Faithful Podcast?
Consider supporting the podcast in one of these ways:
Give $5 monthly on Patreon to the SPF Podcast and get access to extra resources. Learn more at patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful.com
Try Audible for a month for FREE and get TWO FREE audiobooks that you can keep forever! When you try Audible (even if you do not sign up), the SPF Podcast is directly supported. More info here: https://amzn.to/2CZLh41
Check out my Amazon Storefront - it’s full of all my recommended resources and categorized for ease of finding just what you are looking for! Plus with every click and/or purchase, you support the podcast! See the store here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sheprovesfaithful
Love taking care of your family? Try Earthley Wellness Products for your skin, body, hair, and herbal remedies! https://www.earthley.com/ref/lauren.hlushak/
Bend Soap
Christmas is coming! Think about some Bend Soap Goat Milk Soaps and Lotions for your loved ones.
She Proves Faithful listeners get 15% off their first purchase of any amount: FAITHFUL15
Strawberry Mountain Books
Today I talk with my friend, Nina, from Strawberry Mountain Books. She uses books to help her children grow in their Christian worldview and grow closer to them as their mother.
She sells gently used and beloved books on her Instagram page.
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strawberrymountainbooks/
Here’s a little more about Nina:
“I am wife to my very own Mr. Darcy, boy-mom to giant almost-Irish twins, Charlotte Mason homeschooler, and home librarian. I grew up LDS, was saved in high school, joined a theologically-erroneous missions org after college, and as rumor has it, married Mr. Darcy to escape.
I like Bing Crosby and edgy Christian music, plain sparkling water and extra-dark chocolate. My favorite book of the Bible is Job. My favorite not book of the Bible is Stepping Heavenward. If I had to pick a life verse, this one sums it up nicely: ‘It is a trustworthy statement, deserving of full acceptance, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.’”
𝗝𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗸𝗮𝗳𝗹𝗼𝗱 - A New Christmas Tradition
Nina introduced me to a new Christmas tradition surrounded around giving good books on Christmas Eve! She is offering Jolabokaflod gifts with books and extra goodies on her Instagram!
Favorite Take-Aways
Reading aloud to our children gives us great conversations, increases vocabulary and imagination, and helps children gain wisdom and learn virtue.
“It’s easy to rationalize what we WANT to do.” We can be rationalizers when it comes to our own sins and wants and books help us see characters rationalize wrongs and we can learn from that.
Tips
Exposure to good books breads taste for our kids.
Classic books published before 1959 usually have Christian themes intact.
Make reading aloud an anchor in your day so your kids expect it.
Read at meal times, while your kids are busy but are listening.
Don’t judge their attentiveness by sitting still and quiet.
Lamplighter is a great, trustworthy book source.
Life Hack
Disguise medicine in a homemade Popsicle or smoothie!
SPF Audible Book List
Have you tried Audible? We LOVE audio books and often purchase our read aloud books in audio form when we are done so the fun doesn’t stop when we get to the end of the book!
Try audible for free and support SPF!
Try Audible for a month for FREE and get TWO FREE audiobooks that you can keep forever! When you try Audible (even if you do not sign up), the SPF Podcast is directly supported. More info here: https://amzn.to/2CZLh41
Plus here are some of my recommendations to get your collection started:
https://www.sheprovesfaithful.com/blog/audible
SPF 198: Theology that Teaches the Anxious Heart
Theology can often be dismissed in really helping our every day issues. But when we study the Scriptures, learn the doctrines of grace, and seek to know the God who created all things - it really does help. Theology has so much to offer including the ability to teach the anxious heart.
Enjoying the She Proves Faithful Podcast?
Consider supporting the podcast in one of these ways:
Give $5 monthly on Patreon to the SPF Podcast and get access to extra resources. Learn more at patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful.com
Try Audible for a month for FREE and get TWO FREE audiobooks that you can keep forever! When you try Audible (even if you do not sign up), the SPF Podcast is directly supported. More info here: https://amzn.to/2CZLh41
Check out my Amazon Storefront - it’s full of all my recommended resources and categorized for ease of finding just what you are looking for! Plus with every click and/or purchase, you support the podcast! See the store here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sheprovesfaithful
Love taking care of your family? Try Earthley Wellness Products for your skin, body, hair, and herbal remedies! https://www.earthley.com/ref/lauren.hlushak/
Memorize Psalm 100
Get the printable and memorize it this November! Get it here: sheprovesfaithful.com/blog/psalm100
Try Bend Soap!
It’s goat milk soap to help soothe dry and irritated skin!
Get 15% off your first order of any amount with code: FAITHFUL15
Theology helps in Anxious Moments
Our belief about salvation can trickle down to our every day anxieties!
Monergism vs Synergism on Got Questions: https://www.gotquestions.org/monergism-vs-synergism.html
Who are God’s Elect: https://www.gotquestions.org/elect-of-God.html
God saves and can do it fully. That matters. Belief in God’s Sovereign power to save us fully impacts what we believe about His control in our every day living.
Matthew 6
Matthew 6 teaches us so much about God and can make our theology grow.
God is Sovereign - he knows and he is able; God is involved in EVERY PARTICLE; as sprout says, “there is no maverick molecule” There is nothing that is not under the authority and control of almighty God.
God has placed value on us - more value than birds which he cares for every day - But this doesn’t make us more entitled because our value is not based on what we do. It’s based on God giving us this value. That should make us all breath a deep breath of comfort and relief. You’re not valued because of what you do. You cannot make your self more valuable. God has placed value on you because God decided to.
Our days our numbered - we cannot add one hour to our lives. God is in control.
God will save His elect - Ephesians 1, Romans 8, John 6
Do not be like a pagan trying to control it all - we must place our faith in God, otherwise we will be anxious.
What we put our trust in. What we believe matters.
When our theology is little, our God is little, and when our God is little, our anxieties are big.
Resources
Anchored: 7 Anxiety Relievers for Authentic Faith: sheprovesfaithful.com/shop
SPF 197: Post Tenebras Lux - Reformation Podcast
Post Tenebras Lux is a Latin motto of the 16th century Reformation that means After Darkness, Light. These were dark times of corruption within the church and critical doctrines were at stake. Today we are looking at justification and why one man, Martin Luther, called God’s righteousness and alien righteousness.
Enjoying the She Proves Faithful Podcast?
Consider supporting the podcast in one of these ways:
Give $5 monthly on Patreon to the SPF Podcast and get access to extra resources. Learn more at patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful.com
Try Audible for a month for FREE and get TWO FREE audiobooks that you can keep forever! When you try Audible (even if you do not sign up), the SPF Podcast is directly supported. More info here: https://amzn.to/2CZLh41
Check out my Amazon Storefront - it’s full of all my recommended resources and categorized for ease of finding just what you are looking for! Plus with every click and/or purchase, you support the podcast! See the store here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sheprovesfaithful
Love taking care of your family? Try Earthley Wellness Products for your skin, body, hair, and herbal remedies! https://www.earthley.com/ref/lauren.hlushak/
Diet of Worms Reformation Activity
Try this activity this Reformation Day (October 31)!
What you need:
Chocolate Pudding, Oreo cookie crumbles, gummy worms, cups and spoons
and this Diet of Worms reading: Get it here.
Reformation Articles from this Episode
What is Sacerdotalism? https://www.gotquestions.org/sacerdotalism.html
Post Tenebras Lux - Pastor Tom Ascol https://founders.org/sermons/post-tenebras-lux/
RC Sproul What do Roman Catholics believe about Justification? https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-does-roman-catholic-church-believe-about-justification
RC Sproul Justification By Faith Alone https://www.ligonier.org/posts/justification-faith-alone-martin-luther-and-romans-117
SPF 165: The Reformation is Now - Gone are the Days of Cultural Christianity https://www.sheprovesfaithful.com/podcast/episodes165
SPF 160: Revolution vs Reformation: https://www.sheprovesfaithful.com/podcast/episodes160
SPF 017: The Five Solas of the Reformation https://www.sheprovesfaithful.com/podcast/episodes017
SPF 057: Reformation Part 1 https://www.sheprovesfaithful.com/podcast/episode57
SPF 058: Reformation Part 1 https://www.sheprovesfaithful.com/podcast/episode58
SPF 059: Reformation Part 1 https://www.sheprovesfaithful.com/podcast/episode59
SPF 101: Reformation Women: Katherina Von Bora https://www.sheprovesfaithful.com/podcast/episode101
Resources
Amazon links are affiliate links and by clicking on them I receive a small monetary kickback.
SPF 196: What Does Victory Look Like for a Christian?
What does victory look like for a Christian? I’ll give one hint: when we understand how tough it’s going to be, we know the victory is worth while.
Enjoying the She Proves Faithful Podcast?
Consider supporting the podcast in one of these ways:
Give $5 monthly on Patreon to the SPF Podcast and get access to extra resources. Learn more at patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful.com
Try Audible for a month for FREE and get TWO FREE audiobooks that you can keep forever! When you try Audible (even if you do not sign up), the SPF Podcast is directly supported. More info here: https://amzn.to/2CZLh41
Check out my Amazon Storefront - it’s full of all my recommended resources and categorized for ease of finding just what you are looking for! Plus with every click and/or purchase, you support the podcast! See the store here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sheprovesfaithful
Love taking care of your family? Try Earthley Wellness Products for your skin, body, hair, and herbal remedies! https://www.earthley.com/ref/lauren.hlushak/
Try hellofresh with my link and you get $100 off: https://www.hellofresh.com/pages/share?c=HS-U867RUO5I&utm_campaign=clipboard&utm_couponvalue=100&utm_invitername=Lauren&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=raf-share
What is Christian Victory?
Plodcast 210: God’s Path to Victory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTVEOyqnbk8
Matthew Henry Commentary Hebrews 12: https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/hebrews/12.html
“We want our blessings from God like we get coffee from a drive through coffee joint - we want it hot and we want it now.” - Douglas Wilson
“God’s path to victory is no fun. We need to know it’s not suppose to be fun, which in fact, makes it fun.”
“Baskets of fruit are heavy.”
No discipline seems pleasant at the time.
As soon as we understand how tough it’s going to be, we know it will be WORTH WHILE.
The difficulty is worth it because there IS victory.
God arranged it this way for a reason.
We should not misapply a culture of instant gratification to the Lord.
God uses hardships and labor and trials on the path to victory.
to make us holy
to show His glory
to produce a peaceable fruit of righteousness
So what does Christian victory look like?
Holiness.
Conformity to Christ.
And a growing strength to not grow weary and lose heart.
SPF Podcast
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