Thriving Hope Podcast

See the full video interview here! https://youtu.be/Gh1awffnTuc?si=booVlf652I8KhoNv This is our first official video podcast for Thriving Hope Ministries interviewing my good friend Ryan Bloomfield. On this episode, he shares his testimony and shares a deep story of how his condition led him to the Lord and how the Lord worked through adversity to change his life. Support: https://www.thrivinghopeministries.org/general-8 Website: https://www.thrivinghopeministries.org/ Instagram: @thrivinghope_ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thrivinghope/support --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thrivinghope/support

Security in God's love for you! This is a testimony of what God's done in my own personal life! “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8 ESV Support: https://www.thrivinghopeministries.org/general-8 Website: https://www.thrivinghopeministries.org/ Instagram: @thrivinghope_ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thrivinghope/support

Today's episode is on the topic of, "If I commit suicide as a Christian, will I still go to Heaven?” This episode also includes my personal experience and spiritual warfare surrounding this topic, and examining the lives of several people from the old and New Testament including King Manasseh, Peter, Judas, and the Pharisees. For more help and professional assistance: National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). https://www.christiansncrisis.com/suicide https://988lifeline.org/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=onebox Manasseh's Prayer of Repentance: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Prayer%20of%20Manasseh&version=CEB --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thrivinghope/support

Today's episode is on the topic of trusting the LORD with all our heart. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.3.5-8.NKJV Support: https://www.thrivinghopeministries.org/general-8 Website: https://www.thrivinghopeministries.org/ Instagram: @thrivinghope_ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thrivinghope/support

Today's episode is on the topic of the blood of Christ and why His blood matters. “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?” I said to him, “My Lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”” Revelation 7:9-17 NASB1995 https://bible.com/bible/100/rev.7.9-17.NASB1995 Support: https://www.thrivinghopeministries.org/general-8 Website: https://www.thrivinghopeministries.org/ Instagram: @thrivinghope_ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thrivinghope/support

Today's episode is on the topic of broken cisterns that we make in the place of the fountain of living water, that is God Himself. “Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob and all the families of the house of Israel. Thus says the Lord: “What injustice have your fathers found in Me, That they have gone far from Me, Have followed idols, And have become idolaters? Neither did they say, ‘Where is the Lord, Who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, Who led us through the wilderness, Through a land of deserts and pits, Through a land of drought and the shadow of death, Through a land that no one crossed And where no one dwelt?’ I brought you into a bountiful country, To eat its fruit and its goodness. But when you entered, you defiled My land And made My heritage an abomination. The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’ And those who handle the law did not know Me; The rulers also transgressed against Me; The prophets prophesied by Baal, And walked after things that do not profit. “Therefore I will yet bring charges against you,” says the Lord, “And against your children’s children I will bring charges. For pass beyond the coasts of Cyprus and see, Send to Kedar and consider diligently, And see if there has been such a thing. Has a nation changed its gods, Which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory For what does not profit. Be astonished, O heavens, at this, And be horribly afraid; Be very desolate,” says the Lord. “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.” Jeremiah 2:4-13 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/jer.2.4-13.NKJV --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thrivinghope/support

Today's episode is on the topic of answering suicidal thoughts. This is a tough subject, but in Christ, we are never without hope. “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4 NKJV Support: https://www.thrivinghopeministries.org/general-8 Website: https://www.thrivinghopeministries.org/ Instagram: @thrivinghope_ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thrivinghope/support

Today's episode is on the topic of being lukewarm. We will be covering what it means to be lukewarm as a believer and the grace God has towards those who are struggling in their walk. We will also cover John chapter 6 and seeing Jesus as the true bread of life that we need, and only with Him are the words of life. “"And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”” Revelation 3:14-22 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rev.3.14-22.ESV Support: https://www.thrivinghopeministries.org/general-8 Website: https://www.thrivinghopeministries.org/ Instagram: @thrivinghope_ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thrivinghope/support

Today's episode is on the topic of the illuminating light of God in our lives.  “But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”” John 8:1-12 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.8.1-12.NKJV Support: https://www.thrivinghopeministries.org/general-8 Website: https://www.thrivinghopeministries.org/ Instagram: @thrivinghope_ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thrivinghope/support

Today's episode is on the topic of escaping the trap of people pleasing. Specifically, people pleasing in the context of compromising our convictions in Christ, for the sake of the comforts of a corrupt culture. We will be in 2nd Chronicles covering chapters 34 through 36 and will see God's faithfulness to His people in spite of the spiritual compromises that they made yielding to the culture around them, rather than walking according to the Word of God. “The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.” Proverbs 29:25 NKJV “Take care, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you, and make a carved image, the form of anything that the Lord your God has forbidden you. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. “When you father children and children’s children, and have grown old in the land, if you act corruptly by making a carved image in the form of anything, and by doing what is evil in the sight of the Lord your God, so as to provoke him to anger, I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that you will soon utterly perish from the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess. You will not live long in it, but will be utterly destroyed. And the Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord will drive you. And there you will serve gods of wood and stone, the work of human hands, that neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in tribulation, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, you will return to the Lord your God and obey his voice. For the Lord your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them.” Deuteronomy 4:23-31 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/deu.4.29.ESV “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.” Jeremiah 29:10-14 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jer.29.10-14.ESV Support: https://www.thrivinghopeministries.org/general-8 Website: https://www.thrivinghopeministries.org/ Instagram: @thrivinghope_ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thrivinghope/support

Today's episode is on the topic of what happens when we forget who God is. In this Episode we will be covering the lives of Elijah, Gideon, Joshua, and Moses; looking back at the faithfulness of YAH throughout the Old Testament and what that means for us today as followers and disciples of Jesus today. “Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Israel shall be your name.” Then with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord; and he made a trench around the altar large enough to hold two seahs of seed. And he put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood, and said, “Fill four waterpots with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood.” Then he said, “Do it a second time,” and they did it a second time; and he said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third time. So the water ran all around the altar; and he also filled the trench with water. And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.” Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!”” I Kings 18:30-39 NKJV Website: https://www.thrivinghopeministries.org/ Instagram: @thrivinghope_ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thrivinghope/support

Today's episode is on the topic of dispelling the doubt that can arise in our hearts and our minds, and removing the barriers causing the unbelief in the things that God wants to make known to us. God is always out to dispel doubt in your heart and replace it with His peace.  “Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus Himself came near and began to walk along with them. But they were prevented from recognizing Him. Then He asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking? ” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged. The one named Cleopas answered Him, “Are You the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that happened there in these days? ” “What things? ” He asked them. So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a Prophet powerful in action and speech before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed Him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified Him. But we were hoping that He was the One who was about to redeem Israel. Besides all this, it’s the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb, and when they didn’t find His body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they didn’t see Him.” He said to them, “How unwise and slow you are to believe in your hearts all that the prophets have spoken! Didn’t the Messiah have to suffer these things and enter into His glory? ” Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted for them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. They came near the village where they were going, and He gave the impression that He was going farther. But they urged Him: “Stay with us, because it’s almost evening, and now the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them. It was as He reclined at the table with them that He took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him, but He disappeared from their sight. So they said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts ablaze within us while He was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us? ” That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those with them gathered together, who said, “The Lord has certainly been raised, and has appeared to Simon! ” Then they began to describe what had happened on the road and how He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. And as they were saying these things, He Himself stood among them. He said to them, “Peace to you! ” But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. “Why are you troubled? ” He asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself! Touch Me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” Having said this, He showed them His hands and feet. But while they still were amazed and unbelieving because of their joy, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat? ” So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish, and He took it and ate in their presence.” Luke 24:13-43 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/luk.24.13-43.HCSB Website: https://www.thrivinghopeministries.org/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thrivinghope/support

Jesus loves me, this I know... For the Bible tells me so. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” Romans 5:8-11 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.5.8-11.NKJV Website: ⁠https://www.thrivinghopeministries.org/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thrivinghope/support

Today's episode is on the topic of being sober-minded and being watchful of the influences around you that aren't from the Lord. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:6-11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1pe.5.6-11.ESV Website: ⁠https://www.thrivinghopeministries.org/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thrivinghope/support

Today's episode is on the topic of Hell and how to be saved from this place. “There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ”” Luke 13:1-9 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.13.1-9.NKJV --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thrivinghope/support

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” John 6:47-51 NKJV This message is not about striving for salvation (read Ephesians 1:3-14), this message is about striving for anything that’s not Jesus. Because we will not be fulfilled if we strive for anything else. It is unfulfilling too strive to earn or to receive anything in an attempt to satisfy our souls, our hearts, and our minds that’s not the Lord. Jesus calls us to simply come to Him. We don’t have to strive for that at all, but our hearts and our minds and our souls strive for many many things. And often… what we are really looking for, we find in association with Christ, but it’s not Christ Himself. Are we seeking what God gives or are we seeking who God is? That very question is the heartbeat of this message. The Lord says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV Blessings. https://www.thrivinghopeministries.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thrivinghope/support

“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24 ESV Today's episode focuses on a question I received from a close friend,  "Question- when you sing, when you worship do you worship from your soul? Or from your spirit?" After studying this question, I felt the Lord prompting me to record this response. This topic of "worship" in the church is extremely important. Worship is the deepest level of intimacy we can have with God. It's the essence of why we exist and were created. It's important, however, to accurately understand what Biblical worship actually is. It's not just songs. It's not stages. It's not even about music at all. Worship can be in the form of song and singing. But if we only limit and relegate the worship of the Savior of our souls to 3-5 songs prior to a Bible study, then we have entirely missed what worship is Biblically.  In this message, my heart aims to speak to and explain the words used in the Bible for "soul", "spirit", "worship", and "truth" in the original languages and usages. Biblical worship is the single most beautiful thing ever. We can have a personal, intimate, and loving relationship with God in a way that involves the very core of our being. There is truly nothing greater than worshipping the Lord the way He desires to be worshipped. And in this message, you'll see why! Blessings. https://www.thrivinghopeministries.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thrivinghope/support

King Solomon said in the Book of Ecclesiastes chapter 1 verse 2, " Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher (himself), vanity of vanities! All is vanity." ESV.  The word Ecclesiastes comes from the Hebrew word "Qoheleth", meaning, "a collector (of sentences)", "a Preacher"; which is a rare term found only in this book of the Bible. This word comes from the Hebrew word "Qahal" which means too "convoke an assembly to assemble". Essentially, the word means "a preacher" and the English word that we use comes from the Greek word 'Ekklesiastes", that derives from the word "Ekklesia": "assembly", "congregation" or "church", and it means "A Preacher". The title of the book of Ecclesiastes literally means "One Who Addresses an Assembly" or "Speaker Before an Assembly".  Though this episode is not about the book of Ecclesiastes, it's amazing how the speaker of this book was the wisest, richest, and most influential king in Israel's history, but in the latter years of his life would write this book as "a preacher" of God to the World; to every person that would ever read this book, warning them of the vanities of living a life without knowing God or living for Him. From the humanistic perspective, King Solomon declares that life is completely vain; from the pursuits of wisdom, to extreme wealth, luxury and lavish living. King Solomon reiterates the reality that life is completely vain with all of its pursuits without God. But, his entire perspective changes when life becomes about loving God and obeying Him. On today's episode, we will explore the reality of the vanities of a life lived apart from the Lord and ask the difficult question, "Am I wasting my life?"  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thrivinghope/support

After a long break, we are finally back with a new episode! On Today's episode, we will cover what is known as the scariest passage of Scripture in the Bible, Matthew 7:21-23 which says: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ - (NKJV) These are the words of the Lord, Jesus Christ, from the Sermon on the mount. Many Christians are terrified of these verses and it's a cause of much anxiety and fear. But, my question is this: Doesn't Jesus know His sheep and they know Him?  “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.  “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”” John 10:14-16, 27-30 NKJV Why should someone known by Christ fear the words from Matthew 7:23, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"? What did Jesus literally say in the greek there? What is the context of those words? What does it mean to know and be known by God and abide in the love of God through Jesus Christ and not walk in fear of Judgement? The one who knows God and is known by God abides in His love and has confidence in the day of judgement.  "By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.” I John 4:13-19 NKJV The purpose of this episode is to bring greater understanding to what this verse means to the one who is walking in the light vs the one who is walking in darkness; to the disciple, the person who's walking with God and the one who loves darkness and has no relationship with God. This message is a journey of freedom from fear for the believer and a message of sobriety for the hearts and minds that wrestle with this verse as followers of Christ. Please open your Bibles with me in this journey and read for yourselves. There's a lot of scripture and comfort in this message. But at the end of the day, this scripture is still sobering and will be a terrifying reality for many. Hopefully, after listening to this message, you will either grow in your confidence in where you stand in your walk with Christ, or make the changes necessary to repent and seek the Lord according to truth and righteousness, and see the beauty of the Gospel manifested in the love and grace of God upon your life. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thrivinghope/support

In today's episode, we will be covering the issues associated with unrealistic expectations in dating, and the unnecessary complications that often befall Christian relationships. For the younger generation, the church has over-spiritualized the concept of Christian dating/courting, without really emphasizing the significance behind the principles of biblical marriage and the function of the relationship itself after two people have already gotten married. Something the Lord spoke to my heart regarding this was, “Forget your expectations. This is My will and I want you to operate within this reality." Setting unrealistic expectations for dating and marriage is a major issue that creates problems in Christian dating. Sometimes what kills relationships is when unrealistic expectations are made before individuals (potential mates) are known. We have preconceived expectations of how someone is supposed to be before we even meet them or even get a chance to know who the person is. Then we judge and rate the person that we're dating based on a scale of what we want in a potential spouse. Which often is not in alignment with what God wants for us to look for in a spouse, and it's often completely different than the person He has prepared for us. In this podcast we will be covering 3 main points: 1: Addressing the societal problem: Selfishness in our pursuits. 2: Marriage is an option, not a prerequisite to advancing your spirituality: Importance of being Biblically and rationally selective. 3: Prioritize the things that matter in a potential spouse: Avoid praying selfishly according to the flesh. And lastly, we will talk about being the right spouse for someone else:  - Why it's also important to pray and work intentionally towards being a good spouse for the person we marry, rather than just bringing a selfish list of what we want in a spouse to God and having Him deliver us a wife/husband thats exactly what we want.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thrivinghope/support