A Theology of Thanksgiving

Do you have a theology that includes thanksgiving all year long? Even in the worst circumstances or the direst of situations?

God wants His people to be thankful to Him, not just because He deserves our thanks, but because it is good for us to be thankful. It helps us fix our eyes on all He has done for us - from the greatest gift of all, giving His precious Son to save us from our sins.

Michelle and Amy with you a Thanksgiving filled with gratitude and kindness. We are thankful for each and every one of you!

Resources:

Thanks and Thanksgiving Articles- Michelle Lesley- Discipleship for Christian Women

Christians, the Church, and the Occult

Whether we want to think about it or not, a lot of occult-like sorcery has crept into the visible church in recent years. Why would we want to talk about something that is so wicked and evil? Because A: God’s Word has a lot to say about it and warns His people to stay away from it, and B: Because Christians - or at least those professing to be Christians, are dabbling in it either knowingly or ignorantly.

Visit our website, A Word Fitly Spoken

Resources:

Occult – Sorcery - White Paper, Berean Research

New Age - White Paper, Berean Research

Angels, Demons, Spiritual Warfare - White Paper, Berean Research

Willow Creek’s “The Practice” blends New Age & Catholic mysticism

A Quantum Leap Into the Paranormal

Are All Angels Safe?

The “Bethel Board”-Encounter God With This New Game

The occult practice of automatic writing

Leaving the NAR Church: Max’s story

Jesus Calling: Whitewashing the Red Flags - Video with Warren Smith

More on our website, A Word Fitly Spoken

Thank you, bless you and Walk Worthy!

Cussing, Profanity, and OMG

It’s a topic that seems to rear its ugly head every few years: blue language, foul language, cussing, cursing, swearing, potty mouth, bad words. We’re talking about profanity. What does the Bible have to say about it? Is it OK for Christians to use 4-letter words? And what about pastors using expletives in the pulpit? And on a related note, what about Christians using the name of God as an expression, as in “OMG?”

Resources:

Mike Riccardi's Facebook post on "skubalon"

Why is It Bad for Christians to Cuss? - Michelle Lesley- Discipleship for Christian Women

The Mailbag: When is OMG a 3C violation? -  Michelle Lesley- Discipleship for Christian Women

Is it a sin to cuss / swear / curse? Got Questions

More on our website, A Word Fitly Spoken

Thank you, bless you and Walk Worthy!

Glad you Asked: Live from Cruciform Conference

In this episode, Michelle and Amy take questions from a live audience of women attending the Cruciform 2020 Conference, in their "Glad You Asked" series. Here are the questions:

• I came from a New Apostolic Reformation church and now feel a disconnect between learning theology and feeling or experiencing God, and need advice.
• What do you say to a friend or loved one who is a female pastor?
• As a woman, how would you address discernment issues with your church?
• How do you address those who say they hear God personally outside of Scripture?
• Who is your favorite woman in the Bible?
• How does one find time to fit Bible study in a busy schedule?
• Is there a place in the Bible that says if you can't follow man's law, you can't follow God's law?
• Why it’s OK to participate in non-sinful parts of Halloween (like trick or treat or a church fair) but it’s not OK to do yoga?

Resources for this episode:

YouTube video of this episode, recorded at Cruciform Conference

What your church needs to know about the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) - Amy Spreeman, Berean Research

What is the New Apostolic Reformation - Michelle Lesley- Discipleship for Christian Women

How to talk to your church leaders about false teachers - A Word Fitly Spoken Podcast

The Mailbag: How should I approach my church leaders about a false teacher they’re introducing? - Michelle Lesley- Discipleship for Christian Women

Searching for a new church? - Michelle Lesley- Discipleship for Christian Women

Nine Helps for Starting and Sticking to Daily Bible Study - Michelle Lesley- Discipleship for Christian Women

Women Preaching the Gospel? - A Word Fitly Spoken Podcast

Rock Your Role: Jill in the Pulpit - Michelle Lesley- Discipleship for Christian Women

Christians and Yoga? - Amy Spreeman, Berean Research White Paper

My Response to "Holy Yoga" - Amy Spreeman

When Halloween Comes Knocking - A Word Fitly Spoken Podcast

More on our website, A Word Fitly Spoken

Thank you, bless you and Walk Worthy!

Election 2020: How Can Christians Vote Biblically?

Tuesday, November 3, is election day 2020 in the United States. We’ll not only be voting for President of the United States, but also for other local, state, and national leaders. Voting is a privilege, and, for U.S. citizens, a right. So, how should Christians vote? What are some of those biblical principles that should guide our voting? Michelle and Amy go to Scripture to encourage you to use your vote as a godly influence by voting according to biblical principles.

Resources:

Principles for Voting by R.C. Sproul

Does God expect Christians to vote? at Got Questions

A conservative Christian’s perspective on the election - Berean Research

Since God is totally sovereign over world leaders and events, why should we vote or be involved in politics? by John MacArthur

Christians and Politics: Part 1  Part 2  Part 3  Part 4 by John MacArthur

Relatable with Allie Stuckey

The Mormon Moment: Can Christians Biblically Vote for a Mormon? (Depending on the candidates in your district, you may find the principles in this article from the 2012 Presidential election to be helpful.)

Why Do We Celebrate Reformation Day?

Did you know that October 31 is Reformation Day? It's a time when Christians recognize and even celebrate a huge, game-changing event in our history more than 500 years ago: Reformation Day commemorates the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Yet many Christians today are unaware of this landmark incident in their heritage which birthed the Protestant church. In this episode, Michelle and Amy discuss the commemoration of one of the most important events since the closing of the canon of Scripture.

Resources:

The Mailbag: What is Reformation Day? - Michelle Lesley- Discipleship for Christian Women

What are the 95 Theses of Martin Luther? - Got Questions

Reformation 500: Can Roman Catholicism be Considered Christianity? - Berean Research

Protestant and Catholic: What’s the Difference? - Berean Research

The Five Solas of the Protestant Deformation - Berean Research

Free resources on Luther - Ligonier Ministries

Luther: The Life and Legacy of the German Reformer - Ligonier Ministries

Martin Luther (1953 movie)

Steve Lawson's books and sermons on various Reformers

Why We're Protestant by Nate Pickowicz

Luther: In Real Time (podcast)-  Ligonier Ministries

Reformation articles and resources, October 26-30 - Michelle Lesley- Discipleship for Christian Women

Christians: When Halloween Comes Knocking

Halloween is a multi-billion dollar celebration marked by witches, ghosts and goblins, candy and parties.

Not all Christians take part in Halloween. Some have taken a step back to rethink this tradition, and they have changed how they look at Halloween. Others say they honor God through Halloween by making it a Christian outreach -- a time to share the Gospel with the lost. Still other Christians say we have the freedom in Christ to dress up in costumes, attend secular or church-based festivals, and take their children trick-or-treating.  In this episode, Michelle and Amy take a look at where these traditions come from and what the Bible has to say about Christians and Halloween.

Resources:

• Should Christians Participate in Halloween? 7 Scriptures to Consider – Michelle Lesley- Discipleship for Christian Women
• Christians and Halloween: Where do you land? - Berean Research
• Occult – Sorcery - Berean Research White Paper
• Christians and Halloween – A History – Amy Spreeman Archives

The Trap of Entitlement

Entitlement is the belief that we are deserving of privileges or special treatment, either from God or from the world around us. It says “you owe me,” and a growing number of people are having tantrums when they perceive that other people are standing in the way or blocking whatever they think is rightfully theirs. Do we think we deserve the so-called normal that we had before 2020? Do we expect that things will settle down anytime soon? Hold on to those expectations loosely, because today we are talking about how this new normal of entitlement in our culture is creeping into the Christian mentality.

Resources:

Marriage: It’s My Pity Party and I’ll Cry if I Want To ~ 7 Ways to Take Your Focus Off Yourself and Put it Back on Christ- Michelle Lesley- Discipleship for Christian Women

The Ten: Lesson 12 (Bible study on the 10 Commandments. Lesson 12 is on coveting)- Michelle Lesley- Discipleship for Christian Women

What does the Bible say about covetousness?- Got Questions

Back in the Saddle: Updates from Amy & Michelle

We're reunited! In this episode, Amy joins Michelle once again to open up about God's healing, hurricanes and some upcoming events where we hope you can join us in person!

Resources:

Michelle's Speaking Engagements (Includes Oklahoma, Cruciform, Montana, and California)

Answers for Women: Truth Conference

2020 Blessings and Encouragement

I don't think anybody's particularly thrilled with the way things are going in 2020, but God is still at work blessing His people. Let's be thankful for that!

What is something GOOD that God has done for you in 2020? How has He blessed you and your family? Listen in and be encouraged as our listeners share some of the amazing things God has been doing in their lives. For some, 2020 has been the best year of their lives!