Author: Jill & Denise

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In today’s episode, Jill talks with Miriam Nieves. Miriam is a devoted mother to a son and wife. She lives in New Jersey where she is a member of Bayside Chapel where she is a singer on the worship team. Miriam’s story is rooted in encouragement as a Daughter of God, to overcome a year of hospitalizations and unknown illness. When she was finally diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease, she began the road to recovery and returning to the life she had before her disease. Miriam loves spending time with her son and husband, gardening, and being on stage performing. She is also a talented make-up artist who believes it is a blessing to share a bride’s wedding day with her before she walks down the aisle.

Miriam’s favorite… 

Scripture: Psalms 62:5-8 “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

Books: 

The Armor of God, by Priscilla Shirer 

Living in Jesus: Growing in the Life We Were Meant to Live by Christian Families Today

Other mentions in the show: 

Jersey Girl Makeup

Bayside Chapel, Barnegat NJ

To hear Miriam sing please visit The Foyer Sessions

Follow Miriam on Instagram at Jersey Girl Makeup or on Facebook at Jersey Girl Makeup 

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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!

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In today’s episode, Jill talks with Debra Wallace. Debra is a devoted mother to two young adults, a writer, and blogger. She lives in Texas but spends time at a family home in New Mexico. Debra’s story is rooted in encouragement as a Daughter of God, to overcome shame and guilt of a difficult season in her marriage. She believes in pointing women to the truth in order to be transformed and refined while motivating them to heal.

Debra’s favorite… 

Scripture: Proverbs 31:25 “I am clothed in strength and dignity, I can laugh at the days to come.”

Other mentions in the show: 

https://debrawallace.org/

https://www.hopewriters.com/

Follow Debra on Instagram at Bee_ofgoodcheer

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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!

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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

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-rjXtDBpGo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

Listen to our new episode now!

This Easter, many of us will not be traveling to spend Easter Sunday with family or friends. We will not be congregating in a church. A lot of us will not be giving financial contributions to our churches or to a local charity because of unemployment or furlough. Everyone is struggling in some way this Easter – financially, economically, emotionally. So how do we get past this time of struggle and give alms during Easter? 

Right now, not many people are in a financial position to give to their church or an organization. If that is your current situation, there is still a way for you to give during this Easter season. It may not come in the form of giving money. It may come in the form of giving up a travel-sized hand-sanitizer to someone without. It may come in the form of putting together a care package for someone who cannot leave their house. Maybe it’s adding on an extra meal to your takeout order for a local hospital worker. Maybe it’s leaving out a package of disinfectant wipes to the truck driver delivering your packages. 

Speaking of truck drivers, I overheard a news anchor, as the closing music was being played, to remember to pray for the truck drivers. This is a group of workers who we are very familiar with from our childhood. I remember dad being gone for days or having to leave on a Sunday just to pick up his truck and hit the road. The hours were long. The work was exhausting. During this time, restrictions on drivers were few and employers did take into account the driver’s health and well-being. We are seeing some of the effects of that now with Dad’s declining health. It struck me that not a lot of people are paying attention to the long hours these truck drivers are working, pushing the current restrictions to the max (or in some cases, beyond) just to get the supplies to the stores and to your doorstep. Without them, our entire supply chain would break down. 

We all have a gift to give this Easter. Again, your gift may not be going into a collection basket or in an envelope but we all have the gift of prayer. So I urge you, whatever you can give, please do so with a genuine heart and make sure you are giving out of love, for God. 

“We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 2-3 NIV).

Let us know how we can pray for you.