My Sister and Me Ministries Podcast

Transformed by Truth

Welcome to the My Sister and Me Ministries Podcast! As we wrap up our “Back to the Basics” series today, let’s look at self-control. This is not a very popular topic. It’s challenging to look in the mirror and identify areas of weakness, mistakes made, and indulgences entertained. Self-control requires introspection, confession, discipline, change, and obedience. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, as we learn from Galatians 5:22-23. All of us wrestle with self-control, whether it be in our diets, time management, spending habits, emotional tendencies, addictions, or some other personal impulse. In God’s great wisdom and mercy, He has provided the same remedy for all of our out-of-control inclinations: Jesus. The truth is, Jesus has brought salvation for all! He has shown us how to resist ungodliness and fleshly desires. When Satan tempted Him, Jesus directed His thoughts to scripture, and He spoke those words to answer the voice of temptation. His GRACE trains us to surrender our worldly and fleshly passions and to live holy and self-controlled lives right here—right now—in this moment — and in every moment of our lives. It comes down to our willingness to surrender. To our choice in every situation and circumstance. Jesus has made the way for us to overcome every temptation. He provides a way of escape, and He has prescribed supplements to help us in our weaknesses. In this episode, we challenge you to commit to renew your minds with the truths of His word, to be transformed into more of His likeness, and to use methods to bolster your faith. Our prayer is that we never tire of going “Back to the Basics” of our faith in Him: Hope, Joy, Peace, Faith, Prayer, Mercy, Humility, Gratitude, and Self-Control.  Scripture References: Proverbs 25:28; Matthew 4:1-11; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:5-7; Titus 2:11-12 Find more My Sister and Me Ministries content here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBHT_IPY1e7r4e7hSugWvg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBHT_IPY1e7r4e7hSugWvg] Website: https://www.mysisterandme.org [https://www.mysisterandme.org] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysisterandme/ [https://www.instagram.com/mysisterandme/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mysisterandmeministries [https://www.facebook.com/mysisterandmeministries] #mysisterandme #mysisterandmeministries #holdfasttohope This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mysisterandmeministries.substack.com [https://mysisterandmeministries.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Anchored in God's Goodness

Welcome to the My Sister and Me Ministries Podcast! We continue our series called “Back to the Basics” where we are looking at distinct elements of faith and how we can grow in understanding and draw closer to God as we learn more about His character. Today, we are talking about Gratitude. You may have heard popular sayings like, “Have an attitude of gratitude!” “Always be thankful!” And many others. While the dictionary confirms that gratitude is the quality or feeling of being thankful—today we are going to go deeper on this topic. The Bible is full of expressions of gratitude and instructions to be thankful. Gratitude is a foundational principle of our faith. Depending on the translation, the concept of gratitude is found 100-200 times in scripture. As we dig into those verses, we find it is God’s will for us to give thanks in all things, through Christ Jesus. King David set a prime example for us throughout the Psalms. He was a man after God’s own heart, and he also was a man of war. Throughout his life, he embraced an attitude of thankfulness, which kept him focused on what God was doing or wanted to accomplish through him. So many times we focus on the problems, the places of lack, the surrounding stresses, the hurts we are experiencing. If we can shift our focus to be centered upon God’s goodness and mercy, we receive relief. That gratitude causes hope, strength, and joy to increase within us. When we allow God to renew our minds as we read the Bible and engage in gratitude, it not only transforms our minds and spirits, it also causes positive results in our physical bodies. Keeping our thoughts upon things that are positive, true, and praiseworthy helps us in multiple ways! In this episode, we identify some of those benefits gratefulness produces in our lives and point to several scriptures that help strengthen us in a lifestyle of gratitude. God is with you! We pray you look to Him in every situation and that you anchor yourself in His goodness as you build your faith through gratitude. Scripture References: Psalm 9:1, 28:6-7, 30:4-5, 100:4, 136:1, 138:1; Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Find more My Sister and Me Ministries content here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBHT_IPY1e7r4e7hSugWvg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBHT_IPY1e7r4e7hSugWvg] Website: https://www.mysisterandme.org [https://www.mysisterandme.org] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysisterandme/ [https://www.instagram.com/mysisterandme/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mysisterandmeministries [https://www.facebook.com/mysisterandmeministries] #mysisterandmeministries #mysisterandme #holdfasttohope #hope #gratitude This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mysisterandmeministries.substack.com [https://mysisterandmeministries.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Clothed in Humility

Welcome to the My Sister and Me Podcast! We continue our series, “Back to the Basics.” Today, we’re talking about humility. Humility is a basic element of our faith in God that values the lives of others and exercises surrender to self. The dictionary tells us humility means to have a modest or low view of oneself; to be diffident, unassertive, and ranked low. These definitions produce a sense of lowliness, unworthiness, and insignificance. However, genuine humility is actually being secure in your own worth so that you can serve others by choice, sacrificially. Humility does not mean you are a doormat to the whims of others, for their benefit and your abuse. Jesus provided beautiful examples of humility. He humbled Himself for the benefit of each of us. He didn’t HAVE to, but He CHOSE to. Humility is a choice. As we study the life of Jesus, we see He humbled Himself by surrendering His will to fulfill the will of God. The image of humility Jesus portrayed reflects dying to self and living for God. Selfishness, conceit, pride, seeking your own interests above the needs of others—these things oppose humility. Being self-centered is self-seeking and selfish. Looking to the needs and interests of others is serving others in humility. “You do you!” is a common phrase rooted in individuality, self-protection, and motivation. A Yes-Girl gets lost in constantly denying self. We all fall on the spectrum of a yes-girl to a do-you-girl from day to day. The issue isn’t which girl we may identify with, but the motive of our hearts in each moment. Are we humbling ourselves before God while serving others? Are we surrendering to God’s will? Are we considering Him with every thought, choice, word, and action? Are we esteeming others before ourselves, exalting God with every single motive? Whether we identify as a yes-girl or a do-you-girl—in any moment or situation — our obedience to God should be our focus. The slogan should be “I’m a God-Girl!” Scripture References: 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 25:9, 69:32; Proverbs 11:2,15:33, 18:12, 29:23; Matthew 11:29, 18:4, 23:12; Luke 14:7-11; Romans 13:14; Galatians 3:27, 5:16-26, 6:7; Philippians 2:3-9; James 1:21, 4:10; 1 Peter 5:5-7 Find more My Sister and Me Ministries content here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBHT_IPY1e7r4e7hSugWvg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBHT_IPY1e7r4e7hSugWvg] Website: https://www.mysisterandme.org [https://www.mysisterandme.org] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysisterandme/ [https://www.instagram.com/mysisterandme/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mysisterandmeministries [https://www.facebook.com/mysisterandmeministries] #mysisterandmeministries #mysisterandme #holdfasttohope #hope This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mysisterandmeministries.substack.com [https://mysisterandmeministries.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Abundant Mercy

Do you consider yourself a merciful person? Maybe you’re a person who has required a lot of mercy. We are grateful to receive mercy when it’s given. Unfortunately, it’s not always so easy to provide mercy to others. Especially to those who have hurt us, offended us, or wronged us. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:7 that God blesses those who are merciful. He further assures us that as we are merciful toward others, we will receive mercy. Mercy is compassionate kindness shown toward an offender, and it is a basic component of our faith journey. Today, let’s explore mercy together as we continue our series, “Back to the Basics.” We don’t deserve mercy, and we cannot earn it. Mercy is a gift from God. He withholds the judgement or punishment we deserve and instead grants us forgiveness. Showing mercy often starts with the act of forgiveness. Do you forgive others easily? Are you proficient in the “Forgive and Forget” mantra? Jesus taught we are to forgive our offenders seventy times seven times and that we must forgive others so that we would be forgiven. Jesus Himself asked God to forgive those who sinned against Him in ignorance—for they knew not what they were doing. Scripture also teaches us that God will remember our sins no more—that it is as far as the East is from the West. Friends, we too must forgive others. We can do this through the help of His Holy Spirit. It is only through perfect love—only by righteous mercy. Scripture References: Matthew 5:7; Luke 6:27-31; Psalm 51, 103:12; Hebrews 8:12 Find more My Sister and Me Ministries content here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBHT_IPY1e7r4e7hSugWvg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBHT_IPY1e7r4e7hSugWvg] Website: https://www.mysisterandme.org [https://www.mysisterandme.org] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysisterandme/ [https://www.instagram.com/mysisterandme/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mysisterandmeministries [https://www.facebook.com/mysisterandmeministries] #mysisterandmeministries #mysisterandme #holdfasttohope #hope This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mysisterandmeministries.substack.com [https://mysisterandmeministries.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Intimacy with God

God created us to be in relationship with Him. When we deprive ourselves of time with Him, we deplete our souls of the fuel we need to live and overcome all we face each day. We can busy ourselves through days, weeks, and months, and never truly communicate with Jesus. Wait! What? How can that be true? Let’s grow this faith of ours on purpose. Let’s communicate with Him—in prayer. Today, we jump back into our series “Back to the Basics,” and we’re talking about prayer. Prayer is our direct line to God. He meets us right where we are, and He hears our every cry. Scripture tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 to: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit." God Himself lets us know exactly how to commune with Him. Rejoice. Pray. Give thanks. REPEAT! Jesus instructs us how to pray in His Sermon on the Mount, commonly referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer.” In this prayer, we communicate reverence, worship, surrender, repentance, and love. We also ask for provision, guidance, and protection in this model prayer. Do you schedule prayer in your calendar, or are you more likely to engage in spontaneous prayer? Do you have a designated space for prayer—maybe in your home, at your workplace, or in your car? Are you committed to growing in intimacy with your Creator? Friends, nothing is wasted when we seek our Savior. Let’s grow in intimacy with Him together by making prayer a priority. Scripture References: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19; Genesis 2:18; Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:1-4; Ephesians 6:10-18; Psalm 145:18; 1 Chornicles 16:11 Find more My Sister and Me Ministries content here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBHT_IPY1e7r4e7hSugWvg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBHT_IPY1e7r4e7hSugWvg] Website: https://www.mysisterandme.org [https://www.mysisterandme.org] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysisterandme/ [https://www.instagram.com/mysisterandme/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mysisterandmeministries [https://www.facebook.com/mysisterandmeministries] #mysisterandmeministries #mysisterandme #holdfasttohope #hope This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mysisterandmeministries.substack.com [https://mysisterandmeministries.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]