Episode 42
Episode #42 Negatives to Encouragement
This episode focuses on the vital exchange of negativity for encouragement in our Christian lives. We discuss how many people perceive Christians as negative or condemning, which is contrary to the joy and light we are meant to embody. The path of the righteous, as described in Proverbs 4:18, shines brighter and brighter, emphasizing that we can choose to embrace positivity and encouragement. We delve into Romans 8, which reassures us of our position in Christ, highlighting that there is no condemnation for those who belong to Him. By grounding ourselves in God's promises and His Word, we can transform our outlook and walk in the light of encouragement.
Takeaways:
- The path of the righteous is described as increasingly brighter, symbolizing constant growth in faith.
- We must exchange our negative self-perceptions for the encouragement found in God's promises.
- The podcast emphasizes that God does not condemn us, but instead offers grace and forgiveness.
- We are reminded that the Holy Spirit supports us in our weaknesses when we struggle in prayer.
- Consistent engagement with the Bible is essential for overcoming negativity and finding true encouragement.
- Nothing can separate us from God's love, not even our most challenging circumstances.
This episode addresses the critical issue of negativity in the Christian community and the importance of fostering a spirit of encouragement. We begin with an examination of societal perceptions of Christians, who are often viewed more negatively than positively. This leads into a discussion on the harmful effects of self-condemnation that many believers experience. By focusing on biblical truths found in Proverbs and Romans, we offer a counter-narrative that promotes a life of light and encouragement. The speakers emphasize the need to replace negative thinking with the uplifting truths of Scripture, encouraging listeners to actively engage with God's Word for personal transformation. The ultimate message is one of hope, illustrating how a relationship with Jesus can illuminate the path ahead, dispelling darkness and leading to a life filled with joy and assurance.
Links referenced in this episode:
Transcript
Welcome to the Hobo Soul Podcast of Road advised from the Bible and from me, Yvon Prehn, someone who's a little further down the road of life. I'll talk to you every Tuesday and Thursday for about 10 minutes.
And if you'd like more in depth information on walking with Jesus, you can find that at my bible805.com website. For now, let's get started on our topic for today, which is.
Speaker A:Episode number 42 Negatives to encouragement. Our verse for today is but the path of the righteous is like the first light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
This is Proverbs 4:18. As we continue with our post Lenten series on exchanges in the Christian life today we're going to talk about exchanging negatives for encouragement.
Now think about it.
We really need to do this because if most people in the world were asked to describe Christians, how many of them do you think would lead with oh, they're the most joyful, encouraging, wonderful people? Probably not too many.
Most people would probably describe the Christians they know and or their media idea of them as condemning negative, grumpy people always looking to find fault in big and little ways.
Speaker B:And it isn't only with others that.
Speaker A:Christians tend to find fault. Many of us continuously find fault and condemn ourselves without mercy.
Now that's so sad that we just focus on the negative and we need to realize we need to make this exchange because the negative is what Satan wants us to do. That's not a godly thing to do. Face it, he's got good reason for that. His future is nothing but dark and horrid, literally hell itself.
But the future of the Christian is so different. I love the verse that I opened with because it is the true description.
Speaker B:Of our life where again it says.
Speaker A:The path of the righteous is like.
Speaker B:The light of dawn, which shines brighter,.
Speaker A:Brighter until the full day. You may not feel righteous. That's why I like this whole idea.
Speaker B:That it's like the dawn wherever we are in our Christian lives. There's so much more ahead. It's getting brighter and brighter for us. You may not feel righteous, but if.
Speaker A:You've trusted Jesus as your Savior, this verse does apply to you because you are righteous positionally in the eyes of God. This is a real big deal theological thing and we're not going to go into that.
Now I go into the more in depth theological issues on the Bible805 podcast, but for this just know and trust.
Speaker B:That in Romans 8.
Speaker A:1 It reminds us that there is no condemnation to those who belong to Christ Jesus. Again, no condemnation from our God.
Speaker B:And when you are condemning yourself, you're.
Speaker A:Saying that you're a valuable of yourself is better than God's, and that's silly. Now that of course doesn't mean we're perfect. God knows we're far from it.
Speaker B:But like the verse says, our path shines brighter and brighter.
Speaker A:We need, if we want to switch negativity to encouragement, to literally step into the light of God's promises of what he says in His Word and walk in them. If we're to exchange negativity for encouragement,.
Speaker B:Take some time to read over and.
Speaker A:Pray over Romans 8, the whole chapter, the one that started out with no condemnation because it will help you live in ever increasing light and encouragement in your life.
Speaker B:But if you don't have time to.
Speaker A:Do that for a while, let me share some additional verses from it that.
Speaker B:I trust will encourage you.
After telling us we aren't condemned, it goes on to tell us why we're not not condemned, as it reminds us that we're no longer under the control of our sinful natures. But with the Spirit of God living in us, we have a choice on how to live. We can choose where we had no power to choose in the past.
And it reminds us, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die.
But if through the power of the Spirit, you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. Now, in very practical ways, we're led by the Spirit of God when we.
Speaker A:Decide to live in the ways we know, please Him. And of course, we learn these from.
Speaker B:Spending time reading or listening to our Bibles. You will not get that from the world. You will not get that from positive affirmations, affirmations or any social media or anything else.
You can only get it from the Word of God. And we just can't really get enough of it. If we want to be encouraged to the depths of our souls.
No matter how crazy our world gets, we've got to spend time in God's Word.
And when we do that, and we try really hard and we still don't seem to know what to do next, God has encouragement and answers for us in the chapter as it goes on to say, and the Holy Spirit helps us with our weaknesses. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for but the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
And the Father who knows all hearts, knows what the Spirit is saying. For the Spirit pleads for us, believers in harmony with God's own will.
And I want to end this passage with I want to end this podcast with one more passage from Romans that I think is one of the most important Bible passages for us to truly believe, to listen to closely, and to internalize if we don't want to live lies of negativity.
It reminds us, and I'm going to be reading it to you in just a minute, that God is for us, no matter what else is going on, and that Jesus is praying for us.
Now imagine that we just heard that the Holy Spirit prays for us, and this part of the chapter is going to remind us that Jesus is also praying for us. We try so hard to get this person or that person to pray for us and get on prayer lists and all that, and that's all good.
But don't forget the Holy Spirit and Jesus are praying for you right now.
They know your heart far better than you can imagine, and they are bringing your requests, your heartfelt desires, your hurt hurts, the things you can't even put into words before God. And this passage also will remind us in depth that nothing, nothing can separate us from his love. So just step back, close your eyes,.
Speaker A:Unless you're driving, don't close your eyes.
Speaker B:In and listen to these verses because they're true and real. And here's what Romans 8 goes on to say. What shall we say then about such wonderful things as these?
If God is for us, and he is, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own son, but gave him up for us, won't he give us everything else?
Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one. For God Himself has given us right standing with Himself. Who then will condemn us?
Speaker A:No one.
Speaker B:For Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life and is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us?
If we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted or hungry or destitute or in danger or threatened with death, as the scriptures say, for your sake we're killed every day, we're being slaughtered like sheep. No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us. Little note that I must say here.
No matter what horrible things you're going through right now, and they may be terribly sad, terribly discouraging, terribly horrible. We have victory in Jesus. I'm convinced, the chapter goes on, that nothing, no matter what, can ever separate us from God's love.
Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears today or our worries about tomorrow. Not even the powers of hell itself can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below.
Indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Speaker A:If there's anything that will help us.
Speaker B:Exchange a negative view on life, all that happens in it, on death, on everything else, to total joy and encouragement,.
Speaker A:This is a passage that that'll do it.
Speaker B:Reread Romans 8 and may the truth of these promises encourage you today as you walk along the path of ever dawning light.
Speaker A:That's all for this podcast, for transcripts, links to related material, and much more to help you learn to know, trust, apply and teach the bible, go to www. Bible805. For now, let me end with this benediction and prayer. May you walk each day surrounded by.
Speaker B:The gracious love of the Father, guided by the gentle wisdom of the Holy.
Speaker A:Spirit, and conscious of the astoundingly real.
Speaker B:Presence of Jesus, who will walk with.
Speaker A:You until you're no more a hobo.
Speaker B:Soul, no more a transient wandering heart,.
Speaker A:But at home in the kingdom prepared for you with your God forever.
Speaker B:Amen.
