Author: Jill & Denise

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On today’s episode, Jill talks with Lauren Condoleon. Lauren is a daughter of God, wife, mother, business owner. She lives near Long Beach Island, New Jersey with her husband and her two young children. Lauren recently started her own business Limitless Victory Therapy Services and joined the show to talk about how her business was a calling from God and why she serves children with special needs. Lauren and her family attend Bayside Chapel in Barnegat, NJ and she volunteers for the Night to Shine Foundation through Bayside Chapel.

Lauren’s favorite… 

Scripture: Joshua 1:9  “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Books: Jesus Calling and Come Away My Beloved Devotional

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About Feed Your Spirit – Join Jill Dobrowansky as she has conversations with everyday people who have battled some of life’s difficult seasons. It is through these times when their faith was renewed because of God’s love and grace. On Feed Your Spirit, we like to say that we are imperfectly perfect people who are uplifting others through grace-filled encouragement.

We are produced by 2 Scripture Sisters

Today’s episode was edited by Chris Nesi. Find more information about Chris and his work at https://chrisnesi.com

Listen to our new episode now!

During this stay-at-home order, I find myself surrendering a lot over to God, but is it enough, is it everything? 

Jill and I recently read Luke 14:33, which led us to talk about how much of ourselves have we truly surrendered to Christ. The verse reads, In the same way, those who do not give up everything you have, you cannot be my disciples (Luke 14:33 NIV).

If I had read this as someone who was exploring Christianity, I could honestly say I would not have felt worthy enough to be a disciple of Christ. Yet, on the other hand, if I were someone who was at rock bottom, this verse could be a saving grace.

On the surface, this single sentence feels extreme. However, if we look beyond this one sentence, Jesus also states in verse 27, And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. He continues to give examples of the high cost associated with building a tower or a going into battle. It’s not that different – you must give up yourself to be his disciple. 

As I mature in my faith and surrender more and more to Christ, I’m finding that it’s a matter of going that extra mile by giving up any excess to help someone in need. It’s loving someone when they are difficult. It’s forgiveness. It’s acceptance. The one thing this entire verse shows us is how Jesus was upfront with people. He told them what the cost would be to be his disciple. He also tells us the gifts of God’s kingdom. 

I’ll leave you with this final thought: when we accept Christ and renounce Satan, we enter into an agreement that following Jesus is both a gift and a demand. So from time to time, we should be required to sit and reflect with Jesus and ask, have we genuinely given up all of who we once were to walk with Him and to serve Him? Can we give more? It may be hard acknowledging these truths, but it’s part of the process of growing into discipleship. 

Tell us how we can pray for you.

After forty days, Noah opened a window he had made in the ark and sent out a raven, and it kept flying back and forth until the water dried up from the earth. (Genesis 8:6-7)

Some say there is no significance with ‘forty’ because we tend to try to find the meaning behind every number in the bible. But when it comes to the number forty, is there a pattern? 

Lent is a total of forty days. Forty days for us to sacrifice. Forty days for us to repent our sins. Forty days to become closer to God and immerse ourselves in His word. Maybe God uses this literal forty, days, nights, years, to stress times of trouble and hardship. There are quite a few mentions of forty days in the bible here’s a quick look at some of them: 

God destroyed the earth with rain for forty days and forty nights (Genesis 7:12)

Moses fled into the desert for forty days (Acts 7:30)

Moses was on Mount Sinai for forty days and forty nights (Exodus 24:18)

Deuteronomy 25:3, the number of lashes a man can receive for a crime is forty

Deuteronomy 8:2-5 the Israelites wandered for forty years

Goliath taunted Saul’s army for forty days before David arrives (1 Samuel 17:16)

Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights (Matthew 4:2)

There are 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension (Acts 1:3)

Similar to lent, there are forty days after Jesus rose from the tomb and before he ascends into heaven. During this time, again, identical to Lent, was not easy for the Apostles. They lived in fear. They lived in sadness. They lived in doubt. Yet, Jesus presented himself over this period of forty days preaching about the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). So even in uncertain times, Jesus continues to spread the good news of God. He uses these forty days to teach and strengthen his Apostles with God’s word. 

If we look at our lives right now, most of us are approaching or are past the forty-day stay-at-home ordinance due to this pandemic. Has it been difficult? Has it been a time of fear? Has it been a time of uncertainty? Does it continue to be a hardship, or are you making a shift to be like Jesus and use this time to get closer to God? 

We are here for you. You are not alone. Let us know how we can pray for you today. 

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I am so happy you joined me today! With the determination to consciously live in God’s word, I invite you to plug in and prepare your heart as I, Feed Your Spirit.

Angelsea Urban is a devoted warrior of God, wife of 23 years to her high school sweetheart, homeschooling mother, mentor, and accomplished consultant and photographer. She lives near Long Beach Island, New Jersey with her husband and her two teenage children.

Angie also runs several ministries including her newest one, Creative Collective Ministry at Bayside Chapel in Barnegat, New Jersey. A ministry geared towards people who have the heart to worship God through the arts (which Jill is also a part of).  She believes that her family’s happiness and success are a by-product of glorifying God.

Angie’s favorite…

Scripture: “Seek first the kingdom of God” ~ Matthew 6:33

Other mentions in the show:

Angelsea Urban Portraits

Rooted Studios

Church: Bayside Chapel

Follow Angie on Instagram at ANGELSEA_URBAN_PORTRAITS 

 

About Feed Your Spirit – Join Jill Dobrowansky as she has conversations with everyday people who have battled some of life’s difficult seasons. It is through these times when their faith was renewed because of God’s love and grace. On Feed Your Spirit, we like to say that we are imperfectly perfect people who are uplifting others through grace-filled encouragement.

We are produced by 2 Scripture Sisters

Today’s episode was edited by Chris Nesi. Find more information about Chris and his work at https://chrisnesi.com

Listen to our new episode now!

The angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, He has risen from the dead and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee, you will see him there. Listen, I have told you.” So departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell his disciples the news. ~ Matthew 28:5-8 (NIV) 

What is so wonderful about the celebration of Easter is how the story of Jesus is not over. On the contrary, it’s only the beginning. It’s a new beginning for all of us. It’s a new beginning to live our lives with hope. To live a new life forgiven of our sins. A new life to walk with God. This is why these four simple words, “He is not here,” excite us. It is the prophecy coming to life! It is a fulfilled promise of God. 

We encourage you today to be like the women and run with great joy to spread the good news, “He is Risen Indeed!” Easter may look and feel different for you and your family than it has in the past and that’s ok. We pray you don’t dwell on what’s missing today but to turn your focus on the exciting news of the empty tomb. 

Leave us a comment below and share how you are celebrating this Easter Sunday. 

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Hi Friends! I have a special message for all my listeners during these ever-changing, unsettled times. All of our lives have been transformed and impacted in some way during the COVID-19 crisis.

https://2scripturesisters.com

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