241 – Why should you read the Gospel of Thomas?

Well, do you want to be closer to Christ? Then the Gospel of Thomas is for you.

But you have to learn how to decode it. That's where Kieth Giles comes in. His book helps find the deeper meaning: The Quantum Sayings of Jesus: Decoding the Lost Gospel of Thomas*

This week I talk with Keith Giles about the Gospel of Thomas. Keith explains why this ancient text is really important and how it helps us get a really deep insight into how to follow Jesus.

We dig into all the questions you have about the Gospel of Thomas:

• How do we have this ancient text?
• What did church politics have to do with the disappearance of The Gospel of Thomas?
• When and where was it discovered and how was it found?
• Why wasn't it included in the Bible?
• How does it help us follow Jesus better?
• Is it really written by Thomas?
• What is the secret to understanding the Gospel of Thomas?
• Should Christians be wary of the Gospel of Thomas? Is it dangerous to read?
• What is the main message of the Gospel of Thomas?
• Why is it so relevant today?

Keith was on The Bible Speaks to You Podcast on a previous episode:
Episode 76: Keith Giles and the Atonement of Christ

Other resources mentioned:
Book by Elaine Pagels: Beyond Belief–The Secret Gospel of Thomas*
Book by William Duffy: The Hidden Gospel of Thomas: Commentaries on the Non-Dual Sayings of Jesus*
Blog: KeithGiles.com
Quoir Publishing Company: quoir.com
Happy Heretic Podcast
Second Cup with Keith Podcast

Show notes:
Full transcript and Bible references: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/241

* Amazon affiliate link

Support the Show.

_________________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life.

• Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person)
• Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus)
• Make a donation to support the show
• Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you
• Contact James here
  
  

240 – If Jesus was here today, would he get involved in politics?

Do you think he would be a member of your political party? Would he take sides at all? Or would he take a different approach to solving the problems people are facing today?

How would Jesus bring healing to the political divisions in today’s society? Would he go to Washington, D.C. and make a speech in congress? Would he meet with opposing political opponents and try to get them to agree on things? Or would he hold a political rally and campaign for one candidate over another?

I don’t think so.

In this week's episode:

• The difference between your perspective and God's perspective
• Trying to solve the problem on same level of the problem never works
• If you want to heal like Jesus, you have to act, pray, and love like Jesus
• To do that, you have to think like Jesus
• What does the kingdom of heaven have to do with politics?

Jesus never got involved in the politics of his times. He never made it a priority to resolve the conflicts with the government of Rome, with its intrigues and powerful personalities. He never tried to resolve the disputes between the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Zealots, and the Essenes.

As we get closer and closer to the election this fall in the United States, and as you see the political scene do whatever the political scene will do, don’t be impressed or get absorbed in what’s going on. Don’t be alarmed or fearful. Don’t believe everything you hear. Don’t judge any situation by the outward appearance of things pro or con.

If you really want to bring healing to the political scene, start with yourself, surrender your personal opinions and perspectives and see everyone and everything from the perspective of what is true in heaven right now. This will bring healing to you, to others, and that can and will, in turn, bring healing on a larger scale, even to the political arena.

Show notes:
Read the full transcript and all Bible citations: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/240

Support the Show.

_________________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life.

• Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person)
• Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus)
• Make a donation to support the show
• Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you
• Contact James here
  
  

239 – Have you ever felt far away from God?

Maybe you've made some huge mistakes, or someone had done something that harmed you. But no matter what has happened in your life, God is always with you, even if you're not aware of it.

This week's episode digs deep into this idea that God is always with us, no matter what.

Highlights this week:

• Psalm 139: Wherever you go, God is there
• My parents story of losing their business, but feeling God's presence with them during the challenges
• Romans 8:38, 39: Nothing can separate you from God's love
• Modern day challenges and situations that cannot separate you from God's love

But whatever the situation is, even if it is a direct attempt to keep God out of things, it doesn’t mean God went away. No person, policy, or procedure has the power to make God disappear. Nothing can separate you from God. Nothing can separate God from you.

Under every circumstance, God is with us. Whatever tempts you to think you are separated from God, you cannot be deceived to believe that lie. God is always with you, no matter what.

Previous episodes mentioned:
Episode 126 – You Can Never Be Separated from God
Episode 238 – Everything Jesus Did Proves How Much God Loves You

Show notes:
Full transcript and Bible quotes: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/239

Support the Show.

_________________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life.

• Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person)
• Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus)
• Make a donation to support the show
• Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you
• Contact James here
  
  

238 – Have you ever wondered if there's a way to really know God loves you?

Does God's love ever seem far away? Or maybe you know theoretically that God loves you, but you just don't feel it?

Maybe you've made bad life choices that makes it hard to imagine God still loves you.

When I'm discouraged, it's been really helpful to remember that God sent Jesus because He loves us so much, all of us.

Jesus's whole life, everything he said and did, is an example of how God loves you and me, not just the people he talked to and healed 2,000 years ago.

In this week's episode I share some examples of how Jesus's life, and how he treated someone with love, is actually proof that God loves us just as much as He loves the people in Jesus's time.

• Jesus chose a tax collector, Matthew, to be one of his disciples, even though Matthew was considered a sinner by the Jewish leaders
• Jesus healed the daughter of a Syrophoenician woman, whom Jews wouldn't normally even talk to

In both these cases, Jesus loved these people because he could see God loving them, even though society had rejected them to some degree.

The ultimate "proof" in Jesus's life that God's love us is the crucifixion. Jesus won the victory over death, not just for himself but for you and me as well.

Nothing you do can ever make God stop loving you. Jesus proved this. No matter how terrible someone's life choices or circumstances were, Jesus treated them with compassion, love, and healing.

That gives us hope that God loves us, no matter what life mistakes we may have made.

Jesus wants us to love each other the way he loved his disciples. And you can do this.

Previous episode mentioned:
Episode 165: How Did Jesus Love His Disciples?

Show notes:
Full transcript and Bible verses mentioned: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/238

Support the Show.

_________________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life.

• Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person)
• Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus)
• Make a donation to support the show
• Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you
• Contact James here
  
  

237 – Is it possible to find healing from the effects of trauma and abuse?

Have you or someone you know been in an abusive or traumatic situation or relationship? This episode is for you.

Marina Carrier shares how she overcame the residual effects of being an unwanted child and sexual abuse at the age of nine.

It was only through the power of the Holy Spirit, which brought her back to the church and the study of the Bible, which started her journey of healing.

Some important steps along the way were

• The Prayer of Jabez to enlarge her territories
• Learning French
• Writing in her journal
• Listening to God and to herself
• Bringing her well-hidden pain out where she could acknowledge it and give it to God

Marina talks about how important it is to have a working relationship with God, but points out there's a difference between head-knowledge and heart-knowledge of God.

She loves when John the Baptist sends his disciples to ask Jesus if he is the Messiah. She can relate to what it's like to be in prison full of doubts. Her solution is always to keep turning to God and listening for His voice.

Don't close the door on God, on others, or yourself.

And if you haven't experienced abuse and trauma in your life, remember that those who have need your love and compassion. Don't try to fix them. Don't give them platitudes or quote Bible verses to them. Just love them. Just listen with your heart.

Contact info for Marina Carrier:
Facebook
YouTube
www.overcoming.live

Show notes:
Full transcript and Bible quotes: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/237

Support the Show.

_________________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life.

• Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person)
• Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus)
• Make a donation to support the show
• Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you
• Contact James here
  
  

236 – If the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to your church, what would he say?

First, imagine if you had lived back in the days of the early Christian Church. Paul may have come to your church to preach.

And you may have received a letter from him later with some helpful ideas, prayers, and reminders of what he told you when he was there.

Of course, he might also rebuke you for a couple of things your church was doing that wasn't faithful to Christ.

Now, think of your church today.

What would Paul say to your church?

In this week's episode, I create an imaginary church in Franklin, Tennessee in the United States. I talk about some of it's strengths and some of its challenges, in particular, a couple of members who are real sticklers for the letter of the law. Legalism is keeping this church from growing.

I write a letter to this church, in the style of Paul, just to give an idea of what he might have said.

All this is to get you to think about what Paul would have said to your church.

Do you want your church to grow?

Here's a prayer project for you and your whole church. Please choose one of Paul's letters to a church and read it as if he had written it to your church. What can you learn about how to follow Jesus collectively as a church from this?

Please contact me to let me know what you discover in this process.

Show notes:
For a full transcript of this episode and all Bible quotes referred to, go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/236.

Previous episode mentioned:
235: How to Be Filled with the Fullness of God

Support the Show.

_________________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life.

• Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person)
• Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus)
• Make a donation to support the show
• Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you
• Contact James here
  
  

235 – What does it even mean to be filled with God's fullness?

In his letter to the Ephesians, at the end of Chapter 3, Paul prays that the church members would know the love of Christ and be filled with all the fullness of God.

But is that even possible?

Most Christians I talk to think that's the sort of thing that happens after they die and go to heaven. But Paul is praying for the Ephesians to experience here on earth.

In this week's episode, I talk about Paul's prayer (there's a lot more in there that applies to you and me as well). Fortunately Paul gives some really helpful guidance in chapters 4, 5, and 6, which helps prepare us to be able to receive the fullness of God.

You know this passage, (Ephesians 4:22-24) but think about it as a roadmap to experiencing the love of Christ and the fullness of God.

• Put off your old sinful nature, which is corrupt and deceitful
• Be renewed by the Spirit in your mind
• Put on your new self, created to be like God, truly righteous and holy

How do we put off our sinful nature?

Paul makes it sound so simple. In this episode I share two key points that will help you let go of the sin mindset and embrace the mindset of holiness and righteousness.

Your sin does not define you

A previous episode mentioned this week has some great insights on how to get rid of your sinful nature, change your mindset, and accept your true identity as a child of God. Check out Episode 144: Finding Your Identity in the Bible with Keith Ferrin.

Show notes
For a full transcript and all Bible verses mentioned in this episode, go to thebiblespeakstoyou.com/235

Support the Show.

_________________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life.

• Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person)
• Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus)
• Make a donation to support the show
• Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you
• Contact James here
  
  

234 – Do you have a hard time forgiving yourself?

Right. Join the club. It's not easy to forgive yourself. But it's something we need to do. And we can.

This week I look at several Bible characters who, in one way or another, had to come to terms with the mistakes they made and their sins.

The Bible doesn't tell us what these folks were thinking and if they ever forgave themselves or if it was enough just to feel God's forgiveness.

Here are the people I talk about this week. Do you think they ever forgave themselves? If you had done what they did, would you be able to forgive yourself?

• Samson: Did he forgive himself for being deceived by Delilah?
• King David: Did he ever regret the choices he made with Bathsheba and Uriah?
• Peter: Did he ever forgive himself for denying Jesus three times?
• Paul: Did he forgive himself for persecuting Christians before he converted?

When you have a hard time forgiving yourself, what may be going on is that you haven’t felt worthy of, accepted, or experienced God’s forgiveness of your sin, perhaps because there’s someone you need to forgive.

When you forgive, you’ll be able to accept and experience God’s forgiveness. When God has washed away your sins, even the tiniest mistake, there is nothing left to forgive, no longer a need to forgive yourself.

Wherever you are on the path of forgiveness, whether of someone else or yourself, take a moment right now to take a humble look at any situation where you need to forgive someone else or yourself.

And then…forgive.

Previous episodes on forgiveness
Episode 18: Forgiving 70 x 7: How I Forgave My 8th Grade Gym Teacher
Episode 97: Mark Sowersby - Forgiveness Brings Freedom

Show notes:
For full transcript and Bible references: thebiblespeakstoyou.com/234

Support the Show.

_________________________
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life.

• Reach out today if you need a speaker or Bible workshop for your church or organization (online and in person)
• Subscribe to the podcast (and get your copy of Praying with the Mindset of Jesus)
• Make a donation to support the show
• Schedule a free one hour coaching call to see if the Jesus Mindset Coaching program is a good fit for you
• Contact James here