Info

Bloom Church Podcast

Bloom Church -You Matters- Our desire is for you to bloom into the person God created you to be.
RSS Feed
Bloom Church Podcast
2024
March
February
January


2023
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2022
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2021
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2020
December
November
October
September
August
July
May
March
February
January


2019
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2018
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2017
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2016
November
October
September
June
May
April
March
February
January


2015
December
November
October


Categories

All Episodes
Archives
Categories
Now displaying: August, 2022
Aug 28, 2022

FOR EVERY OUTCOME YOU DESIRE, THERE MUST BE AN INPUT DISCIPLINE FOR IT TO BECOME A REALITY.

 

Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. James 2:17-18 NIV

 

OUTWARD DISCIPLINES

 

“When we live outside of healthy community, we not only lose others. We lose ourselves...Who we understand ourselves to be is dramatically affected for better or worse by those we hold closest to us. We only truly come to know ourselves in the context of others. The more isolated and disconnected we are, the more shattered and distorted our self-identity. We are not healthy when we are alone. We find ourselves as we connect to others.” Erwin McManus

 

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” Genesis 2:18 NLT

  

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:4-5 NLT

 

…For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it. Colossians 2:19 NLT

 

1. AUTHENTICITY

 

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.  Romans 5:8 NLT

 

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other. John 15:16-17 NLT

 

QUIT DISQUALIFYING YOURSELF BECAUSE YOU COMPARE YOUR WEAKNESSES TO OTHERS STRENGTHS

 

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. 1 Corinthians 12:7;22-26 NLT

 

YOU MUST DISCOVER WHO YOU ARE BEFORE YOU CAN EVER DISCOVER WHAT YOU ARE CREATED TO DO.

 

Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Romans 12:3 NLT

 

2. SUBMISSION

 

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. James 1:19

 

HURT PEOPLE HURT PEOPLE.

 

THE SOLUTION ALWAYS BEGINS WITH UNDERSTANDING

 

'For I wrote to you with many tears out of an extremely troubled and anguished heart — not to cause you pain, but that you should know the abundant love I have for you. ' 2 Corinthians 2:4 CSB

 

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. Galatians 6:1-3 NLT

 

 

3. SERVICE

 

After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow...Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.' John 13:12-17 NLT

 

WHAT WE DO IN OUR PRIVATE TIMES IMPACTS HOW WE WILL BE IN OUR PUBLIC TIMES

 

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:7-8 NLT

 

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:9-10 NLT

 

Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. 1 John 4:11-12 NLT

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aug 21, 2022

FOR EVERY OUTCOME YOU DESIRE, THERE MUST BE AN INPUT DISCIPLINE FOR IT TO BECOME A REALITY.

 

Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. James 2:17-18 NIV

 

You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12 NLT

 

So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 NLT

 

At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid. One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:2-3 NLT

 

So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said. “Go and visit the prophet,” the king of Aram told him. “I will send a letter of introduction for you to take to the king of Israel.” So Naaman started out, carrying as gifts 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing. The letter to the king of Israel said: “With this letter I present my servant Naaman. I want you to heal him of his leprosy.” When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in dismay and said, “Am I God, that I can give life and take it away? Why is this man asking me to heal someone with leprosy? I can see that he’s just trying to pick a fight with me.” 2 Kings 5:4-7 NLT

 

But when Elisha, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes in dismay, he sent this message to him: “Why are you so upset? Send Naaman to me, and he will learn that there is a true prophet here in Israel.” So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha’s house. But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.” But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me! Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage. 2 Kings 5:8-12 NLT

 

But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’” So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed! 2 Kings 5:13-14 NLT

 

GREAT OPPORTUNITIES OFTEN DISGUISE THEMSELVES IN SMALL TASKS. 

 

INWARD DISCIPLINES

 

1. MEDITATION

 

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. Joshua 1:7-8 NLT

 

2. STUDY

 

And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men. Acts 17:11-12 NLT

 

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17 NLT

 

3. PRAYER 

 

Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. Matthew 6:9-13 NLT

 

ADORATION AND WORSHIP

CONFESSION AND TRANSFORMATION

GOD’S KINGDOM AND GOD'S AGENDA 

MY AGENDA AND REQUESTS

 

4. FASTING

 

He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30 ESV

…not my will, but yours be done. Luke 22:42 NIV

 

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 NLT

 

 

 

 

Aug 14, 2022

 

My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:1-5 NLT

 

Godly Wisdom 

 

You Are What You Eat

 

“Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are…” – Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

 

“Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future”

 

“You are the average of the 10 people you spend the most time with”

 

“Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.” Proverbs 13:20 MSG 

 

“Well, I am the good influence in our friend group!” 

 

“…Bad company corrupts good character” 1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV 

 

If you stay in an unhealthy relationship long enough it will eventually change you

 

Inspect

 

Is walking in my God given calling worth a temporary discomfort?

 

Is passive comfort worth giving up your God given calling? 

 

Can you share your heart with them? 

Can you communicate your joys with them? 

Can you communicate your sorrows with them? 

Can you share frustrations with them? 

Can you share victories with them? 

Can you share prayer requests with them? 

Do they pray with you or for you? 

Do they lift you up or tear you down?

Do they encourage you? 

Do they add value to you? 

Do they care about your spouse/family? 

 

Healthy Boundaries 

 

Determine who you are giving permission to have an influence in your life

 

  1. You walk in the safety of wise counsel

 

 

“Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” Proverbs 11:14 NKJV

 

  1. Your character is protected

 

“…Bad company corrupts good character” 1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV 

 

  1. You will be sharpened 

 

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” Proverbs 27:17 

 

  1. You’re not alone 

 

“Friends can destroy one another, but a loving friend can stick closer than family” Proverbs 18:24 GW 

 

TAKE HOME: 

 

  1. Inspect Your Current Environment 

 

Is this helping or hurting me walk in my God given calling?

 

 

  1. Change Yourself & Your Environment

 

“Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change” – Jim Rohn 

 

God gave me conviction 

 

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.” John 14:16-17 NLT 

 

  1. Challenge Yourself in Your New Environment

 

LifeGroups

 

  1. Move Forward Despite Criticism 

 

"There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing." – Aristotle

 

“I will forgive their wrongdoing, and I will never again remember their sins” Hebrews 8:12 CSB

Aug 7, 2022

My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:1-5 NLT

 

ANYTHING OR ANYONE DIFFERENT CAN BE DIFFICULT

Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 2 Timothy 2:23-24 NLT

 

D. I. R. T.

DON’T IGNORE RELATIONAL TENSION

 

GUARD RAILS OF COMMUNICATION

 

1. REMAIN CALM AND GENTLE

A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. Proverbs 15:1 NLT

 

People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness. Proverbs 14:29 NLT

 

Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. Proverbs 29:11 NLT

 

Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool. Ecclesiastes 7:9 NLT

 

Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. Proverbs 16:32 NLT

 

2. COMMUNICATE THE INFORMATION TRUTHFULLY AND ACCURATELY
The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. Proverbs 15:2 NLT

 

The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth. Proverbs 12:22 NLT

 

Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Psalms 34:13 NLT

 

Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed. Proverbs 12:19 NLT

 

Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.  Colossians 3:9 NLT

 

Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. Ephesians 4:15,25 NLT

 

3. REMEMBER GOD IS THE ULTIMATE JUDGE
The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3 NLT

 

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 NIV

 

 

SOMEONE ELSE’S SIN IS NEVER A JUSTIFICATION FOR YOU TO SIN.

 

Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval. So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. Romans 14:4,10,12-13,19 NLT

 

4. ATTACK THE PROBLEM NOT THE PERSON

The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4 NIV

 

BLAMING PREVENTS PROGRESS

 

But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other… Colossians 3:8-9 NLT

 

5. STAY TEACHABLE

Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. Proverbs 15:5 NLT

 

To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction. Proverbs 12:1 NLT

 

DON’T TRADE AWAY YOUR INTEGRITY FOR JUSTIFICATION

 

“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. Matthew 7:3;5 NLT

 

S.T.A.T.E YOUR FEELINGS

1. Share your facts (without interpretation)

 

2. Tell your story (explain your conclusions)

 

3. Ask questions instead of starting with accusations

 

4. Talk tentatively (remember you are sharing perspective)

 

5. Encourage testing (invite opposing views)

 

FOCUS ON RESTORATION NOT PERFECTION

 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9 NIV

 

IT IS ALWAYS MORE REWARDING TO RESOLVE THE CONFLICT THAN TO DISSOLVE THE RELATIONSHIP.

1