Bloom Church Podcast

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 NLT   HOW TO PARTICIPATE: 1. ATTEND WEEKEND SERVICES. 2. READ ALONG IN THE GUIDE EACH WEEK. 3. DISCUSS IN YOUR LIFE GROUP.    THE BETTER YOU KNOW GOD, THE BETTER YOU HEAR GOD.    1. THE BIBLE IS WRITTEN FOR US, NOT TO US.   You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 NLT   And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him— speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable hav

The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. John 15:19 NLT   He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 2 Corinthians 5:15 NLT   'Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. Galatians 6:7-10 NLT   Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with thos

you can't get your external in order while your internal is out of order. - Pastor Mike Carlton   Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13   1. Deeply Authentic Love    "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” - 1 Peter 4:8    "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” - 1 John 3:18    “Hate what is evil and cling to what is good.” - Romans 9:9 ________________________________________________________________________________________   "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” -Romans 12:10   2. Sacrificial Love   “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” -

"Selfishness is the greatest curse of the human race." – William E. Gladstone   "Almost every sinful action ever committed can be traced back to a selfish motive. It is a trait we hate in other people but justify in ourselves." – Stephen Kendrick   "The most miserable people are those who care only about themselves, understand only their own troubles, and see only their own perspective." – Anonymous   'Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “This message you have given me from the Lord is good.” For the king was thinking, “At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime.” Isaiah 39:8 NLT   'For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. James 3:16 NLT   Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27 NLT   Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and g

THE NEED FOR CONTROL IS THE CAUSE OF EVERY PROBLEM   Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 NLT   Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT   For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT   'Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: 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   HEALTH IS NOT STUMBLED UPON IT IS PURSUED AND IGNORING PROBLEMS WILL NEVER LEAD TO HEALTH.    THE PREREQUISITE TO TRUE FREEDOM IS TO DECIDE THAT YOU DON’T WANT TO SUFFER ANYMORE   YOU HAVE TWO FOUNDATIONAL CHOICES.  ONE CHOICE IS TO LEAVE THE PAIN INSIDE AND CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE WITH THE OUTSIDE.  THE OTHER CHOICE IS TO

THE FIRST RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY ADD TO OUR LIVES IS FAITH   2. THE SECOND RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY PURSUE IS MORAL EXCELLENCE   3. THE THIRD RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY GROW IN IS Knowledge   4. THE FOURTH RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY GROW IN IS self-control   5. THE fifth RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY PURSUE IS Perseverance   6. THE Sixth RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY GROW IN IS GODLINESS     7. THE seventh RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY GROW IN IS BROTHERLY KINDNESS   8. THE Eighth RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY GROW IN IS LOVE     Eros- Love found in romantic relationships. Connected to falling or being in love.   Storge- Love between family members. A protective love that can withstand hardships & trials   PhilEO-Love between close friends. Describes the emotional feeling of a close friend.   When David had finished speaking with Saul, Jonathan was bound to David in close friendship, and loved him as much as he loved himself. 1 Samuel 18:1 CSB   Agape - Love that is unconditional and sacrificial. The love that God is and shows.   Wh

  THE FIRST RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY ADD TO OUR LIVES IS FAITH   2. THE SECOND RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY PURSUE IS MORAL EXCELLENCE   3. THE THIRD RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY GROW IN IS Knowledge   4. THE THIRD RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY GROW IN IS self-control   5. THE fifth RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY PURSUE IS Perseverance   6. THE Sixth RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY GROW IN IS GODLINESS      Godliness is the reverent awareness of God's sovereignty over every aspect of life, and the attendant determination to honor him in all one's conduct.   “1 Tim 2:2b “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”  2 Peter 3:11b “what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives” ).   Sanctification, separating oneself from sin & worldliness and growing in holiness & godliness through a conformity with the Holy Spirit.       THOUGHT  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedien

God has given us everything we need for living a Godly life. In view of this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self control. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. So dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things and you will not fall away. 2 Peter 1:3,5,8,10 NLT   THE FIRST RUNG THAT -  WE DILIGENTLY ADD TO OUR LIVES FAITH   THE SECOND RUNG -  THAT WE DILIGENTLY PURSUE MORAL EXCELLENCE   THE THIRD RUNG -  THAT WE DILIGENTLY GROW IN KNOWLEDGE …and moral excellence with knowledge… 2 Peter 1:5 NLT   THE FOURTH RUNG IS WE DILIGENTLY PURSUE SELF CONTROL   My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry… James 1:19   THE FIFTH RUNG IS WE DILIGENTLY PURSU

GOD HAS GIVEN US EVERYTHING WE NEED FOR LIVING A GODLY LIFE. IN VIEW OF THIS, MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO RESPOND TO GOD’S PROMISES. SUPPLEMENT YOUR FAITH WITH A GENEROUS PROVISION OF MORAL EXCELLENCE, AND MORAL EXCELLENCE WITH KNOWLEDGE, AND KNOWLEDGE, WITH SELF CONTROL. THE MORE YOU GROW LIKE THIS, THE MORE PRODUCTIVE AND USEFUL YOU WILL BE IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. SO DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WORK HARD TO PROVE THAT YOU REALLY ARE AMONG THOSE GOD HAS CALLED AND CHOSEN. DO THESE THINGS AND AND YOU WILL NOT FALL AWAY. 2 PETER 1: 3, 5, 6, 8, 10   1ST RUNG - FAITH   2ND RUNG - MORAL EXCELLENCE   3RD RUNG - KNOWLEDGE   4TH RUNG - SELF CONTROL     THE ABILITY TO CONTROL ONESELF, IN PARTICULAR, ONE’S EMOTIONS AND DESIRES, OR THE EXPRESSION OF THEM IN ONE’S BEHAVIOR.   FAILURE TO EXERCISE SELF-CONTROL DEMONSTRATES THAT WE WORSHIP OURSELVES MORE THAN GOD.   WHEN WE PUT THE WILL OF OURSELVES OVER THE WILL OF GOD WE ARE ESSENTIALLY WORSHIPING OURSELVES.   WHEN WE FAIL TO EXERCISE CONTROL OVER OUR NEEDS, D

'By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life… In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises… The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 2 Peter 1:3,5,8,10 NLT   THE FIRST RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY ADD TO OUR LIVES IS FAITH   FAITH IS SIMPLY STAYING SUBMITTED AND COMMITTED TO THE WILL OF GOD.   THE SECOND RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY PURSUE IS MORAL EXCELLENCE Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence… 2 Peter 1:5 NLT   ' “If you love me, obey my commandments. John 14:15 NLT   Samson led Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines. Judges 15:20 NIV   'The woman ran and told her husband, “A man of God appeared to me! He looked like osonne of God’s angels, terrifying to see. I didn’t ask where he was

'The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. John 15:19 NLT   By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more produ

God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. Ephesians 3:10 NLT   You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Ephesians 2:19 NLT   See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. 1 John 3:1 NLT   'But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ. Hebrews 3:6 NLT   Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. Romans 12:4-5 NLT   The scriptures are very clear that church is not something you are intended just to attend and receive from, but something you are designed to contribute to for

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply”…Genesis 1:27-28 NLT   And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT   NEEDS TO BE MET BY MOTHERS   Safety   Nurture   Basic Trust   Belonging and Invitation   Someone to Love   “Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!” Isaiah 49:15 NLT     NEEDS TO BE MET BY FATHERS   Unconditional, expressed love   Security and Comfort   Praise and Affirmation   Provision   Purpose in Life   So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 NLT   WE LET THE BIBLE LEAD & GUIDE US, NOT OUR EMOTIONS

In parenting More is caught than taught. 1. Parents are responsible for helping their teen build a solid FOUNDATION. How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:9-11 (ESV) 2. With a solid foundation, parents guide teens to discover their IDENTITY in Christ. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 NIV   The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked Jeremiah 17:9 KJV   3. Teens need more than just their parents, they need Godly MENTORS One of the biggest factors to shape your identity is the voices you’re allowing to speak into you life. TEENAGERS NEED SPIRITUAL MENTORS LIKE: Parents Healthy Peers Small Group Leaders Pastors & Ministry Leaders   4. Teens need to explore their identity in Christ and find PURPOSE in the context of spiritual mentors. 5

'If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NLT   If you want to change the culture in your home, you have to change the way you communicate.   For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. Matthew 12:34 NLT   'The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Proverbs 18:21 NLT   Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. James 3:2 NLT   3 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT OUR WORDS/TONGUES   1. THE TONGUE IS SMALL BUT

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10 NLT   For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.  Ephesians 6:12 NLT   'For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their ow