Connecting The Gap

Did you hear about that time that Joshua asked God to make the sun and moon stand still for a day? Why did he do that? And did God grant him his wish? It's a bonus episode this week! A Connecting the Gap Shortz! Have a blessed week!

As Christians, we never want Satan to break through our defenses and take up residency inside of us. We never want Satan to get inside and disrupt the plan of God in our lives. But what if he is already in? What if we put up the shield too late or didn’t pick up our armor when we should have? Taking a preventative solution against diseases doesn’t really work when the disease has already done its damage. We must be proactive. It wouldn’t do us any good to talk about spiritual warfare without talking about deliverance. There are lots of people today that would rather deny that demonic possession even exists. What they don’t think exists, they don’t have to deal with. They feel that there is so much confusion and controversy surrounding the subject they just try to avoid it all together. The first thing we have to determine is whether deliverance ministry is valid – especially if it is valid for today. As Christians, being like Christ means imitating His actions, teachings, and characteristics. Therefore, if one of the defining characteristics of a Christian is to be like Christ, it follows that deliverance is still valid for us today. Just as Jesus consistently set people free from spiritual bondage, Christians are called to follow His example and participate in the ministry of deliverance, praying for and assisting in the freedom of those oppressed by evil spirits. We discuss this on this week's episode of Connecting the Gap. You can visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net for everything about us. We also have a merch shop and bookstore that you can check out there as well. Also, be sure to visit my sponsors website at wearewarriorsapparel.com. Have a blessed week!

Why is being mindful of God’s presence so critical? The answer is very simple. If you forget God is there, you won’t talk to Him. When we fail to focus on God's presence, it becomes easy for us to neglect prayer and rely solely on our own strength and abilities. In our self-sufficiency, we often forget the importance of seeking God's guidance and intervention in our lives. This can lead us down a path of isolation, stress, and limited perspective. When our thoughts and focus veer away from acknowledging God's presence, our lives quickly follow suit. We find ourselves relying on our own wisdom, facing challenges alone, and succumbing to anxiety and worry. We may even question whether God is truly there for us. However, when we become aware of God's presence and recognize His unfailing love for us, our perspective changes. We realize that we have the privilege to talk to Him, to share our joys, fears, and desires. We understand that even in the most challenging times, we have a loving and caring God who is ready to listen and respond. This week on Connecting the Gap we continue our study on The Battle Within - Overcoming the Invisible War. This is our extensive study on spiritual warfare. Our website is www.connectingthegap.net. Also be sure to visit our sponsors website at wearewarriorsapparel.com. Have a blessed week!

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, “the deceit, the lie of the devil, consist of this: that he wishes to make man believe that he can live without God’s word.” But in all reality, that is living with no authority. In the Roman Empire, soldiers held a position of authority and were known for their strength, discipline, and allegiance to the state. They were tasked with maintaining law and order, defending the empire, and enforcing the will of the ruling authorities. Roman soldiers were equipped not only with skill and training in hand-to-hand combat, but also with specific tools, one of which was the sword. The sword was more than just a weapon. It symbolized the soldier's authority and ability to enforce the laws and orders of the empire. It represented the might of the Roman government and its reach in maintaining peace and subduing rebellion. The very presence of a soldier carrying a sword was often enough to discourage opposition or defiance. Drawing from this context, we see a parallel connection to the spiritual world. In Ephesians 6:17, the "sword of the Spirit" is mentioned as a key component of the Christian's armor. This figurative sword is actually the Word of God, the Bible. In the same way that a Roman soldier's sword was a symbol of authority and power, the Word of God holds authority and power in the spiritual realm. This week we discuss how we need the Word of God to defeat Satan and his demonic forces. We also talk about the two different Greek terms that are often used in the Bible, "logos and rhema". What do those terms mean in association with God's Word and how we live using it as a weapon? There is a distinct difference. Visit us at www.connectingthegap.net for everything about our ministry, our merch shop, transcripts of each episode and more. Also visit our sponsors website at wearewarriorsapparel.com. We pray you have a blessed week!

“The spiritual battle, the loss of victory, is always in the thought world.” That is a quote from Francis Shaeffer. In our fast-paced, microwave popcorn society, it is increasingly evident that there is a relentless and ongoing battle for our minds. This battle, however, extends beyond the reality of external influences such as advertising, social media, the woke society we increasingly have to deal with, or the problems and emergencies life throws at us every day. It dives into a deeper dimension—a spiritual one that often goes unnoticed or ignored. This spiritual battle manifests itself in various ways throughout our daily lives. It can be seen in the constant stream of distractions and temptations that seek to divert our attention from what truly matters. It can be observed in the inner turmoil that arises from conflicting values, desires, and motivations. It can even be felt when we face challenges or adversity that test our resilience, faith, and character. To navigate this battle, it is crucial to cultivate awareness and discernment. We must strive to recognize the influences that seek to manipulate or control our minds and consciously choose what we expose ourselves to. This involves critically evaluating the information we consume, questioning its sources and intentions, and being mindful of its potential impact on our thoughts and beliefs. Satan loves to package up a bag of doodoo and serve it as a lamb chop. Join us this week as we continue our study on spiritual warfare. It is very quickly winding down! Visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net for everything about our ministry. Also, be sure to visit our sponsors website at wearewarriorsapparel.com. Our merch link and a bookstore are on our website as well. We pray you have a blessed week!

So, what makes you panic? For the most part, I am pretty levelheaded. It takes a lot to stir me up. I’ll tell you what makes me panic. Getting into situations I can’t control makes me panic! If I am swimming and I get too far out from the shore (I’m not a very strong swimmer), I can panic if I’m not careful and worry I won’t make it back. Especially if the tide is pulling me out. I don’t do cliff diving or diving boards. I can’t control myself while I am in midflight so that makes me panic while I’m gliding through the air! I can lead small groups but put me in front of a huge crowd of people with all eyes on me for a speech, well, I’m probably going to panic! I may stumble my way through it, but it might not be pretty! Fear grips me, panic sets in, and life can become a ball of uncontrolled anxiety. What was happening at those moments? What about you? What makes you panic? Sometimes we can lose our grip on life due to panic and Satan will take advantage of it most every time. Join us this week as we navigate this subject and talk about ways we can overcome that issue in our lives. We also find parallels in the biblical story of Elijah's descent into despair. Elijah's journey reminds us that peace can be found even in the darkest of times, through faith and the presence of God. This episode highlights not only his personal turmoil but how his story resonates with our own battles against hopelessness. In your moments of overwhelming battles, remember that you are not alone, and strength can be found through spiritual community and the reassurance of God's nearness. You can visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net for everything about our ministry. There you will find links for a bookstore with resources we have used here on the podcast, our official merch link is there, and also a link on how to be saved and come to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Also don't forget to visit our sponsors website at wearewarriorsapparel.com. We pray you have a blessed week!

There is an interesting set of scriptures in Exodus where Moses appears to almost get killed by the Lord. Why did that happen? Watch this episode of CT Gap Shortz and find out!

When we are constantly on the lookout for negativity or bad things, our minds become primed to notice and focus on these aspects of life. It's as if we wear a lens that magnifies and brings into sharp focus all the undesirable elements around us. Consequently, our perception becomes distorted, and it becomes challenging to see goodness or positive aspects. Conversely, if we purposefully shift our focus towards seeking God's goodness, our perspective undergoes a transformation. As we train our minds to recognize and appreciate His handiwork in the world, we start noticing the fingerprints of God everywhere. We become attuned to His presence and see His goodness in nature's beauty, acts of kindness, and the faithfulness of others. Over time, I have come to realize that when I have those moments, it is Satan attacking me with all his might to shut me down. I knew that God had called me to do this, and he keeps his promises. In Numbers 23:19, it says, “God is not a man that he should lie, nor a son of man that he should repent.” I've had to start learning how to use my shield of faith to quench those fiery darts of the enemy. You may be in this same situation right now so this week, we are going to talk about this a little bit. You can visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net. Also be sure to check out the apparel at wearewarriorsapparel.com for some awesome clothing to help share your faith. We also have a Connecting the Gap merch store at our website as well. That will help share about the ministry and help us to grow. We pray this episode blesses you, and that you have a blessed week!

God's perspective, plans, and actions are beyond our human understanding. His ways are far higher than ours, encompassing a broader scope of knowledge and wisdom than we can fathom. Consequently, our limited understanding may lead us to question or doubt His purposes, especially when circumstances do not align with our expectations. Wisdom emerges when we choose to trust in God's sovereignty, even in moments when His work may not be apparent, or when it unfolds in ways we never envisioned or desired. In those times, it is essential to remember that God sees the entire picture—the past, present, and future—and knows what is truly best for us, even when it may not align with our immediate desires or comfort. Trusting in God's unseen work requires us to relinquish our need for control and to release our limited perspective. It necessitates surrendering our preferences and embracing the truth that God's plans supersede our own. Through this act of surrender, we gain wisdom, recognizing that our human understanding is insufficient to comprehend the complexities of God's ways. Though we may yearn for immediate solutions or outcomes, God's timing and methods are often beyond our comprehension. His way of working is not always the easiest or most straightforward for us to understand, yet it does not diminish His goodness or faithfulness. In fact, it is precisely in these moments that our trust in His wisdom and sovereignty deepens, and true wisdom is cultivated within us. Our willingness to trust in His greater understanding enables us to find comfort and peace, knowing that even amidst uncertainty or hardship, He is at work for our ultimate good. This week we discuss this and lots more on Connecting the Gap. This is part 10 of our series on spiritual warfare. You can visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net for more about us and our ministry. Also, visit our sponsors website at wearewarriorsapparel.com. We pray you have a blessed week!

Ever felt like your mind is playing tricks on you, warping your reality like a skilled magician? A lie perceived as truth will affect your life as if it were true. I wonder how often you see what you expect instead of what is really there – reality the way reality really is. There is a name for our distorted lenses. It is called cognitive bias. Cognitive biases are inherent mental shortcuts and patterns of thinking that our brains rely on to process information quickly. While these biases serve to simplify complex situations, they can also color our perception and create a subjective reality that may differ from actual reality. When we encounter a situation, our minds automatically filter and interpret information based on our preexisting beliefs, experiences, and biases. These filters act like tinted glasses, shaping how we perceive and understand the world around us. Consequently, our subjective reality may deviate from what is objectively true, influenced by these cognitive biases. This week on Connecting the Gap we discuss this and also the next item to fight spiritual warfare, having your feet shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace. Be sure to visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net for everything about our ministry. Also check out our exclusive merch there as well. Also, be sure to visit our sponsors website at wearewarriorsapparel.com. We pray you have a blessed week!

Ever feel like you're in a relentless battle with guilt and self-condemnation? You're not alone. Our latest episode peels back the layers of inner turmoil that so many of us face, offering a beacon of hope for those caught in the crossfire of spiritual warfare. We tackle the cunning deceptions of the enemy and how to distinguish them from the life-giving conviction of the Holy Spirit. By arming ourselves with the breastplate of righteousness, we can stand firm against the barrage of accusations thrown at us and embrace the cleansing power of confession and faith in Jesus. The armor of a Roman soldier was designed for protection and endurance, much like the spiritual armor we are called to wear daily. This episode takes a historical look into the significance of the Roman breastplate and translates its purpose into our spiritual walk. We discuss practical steps towards living a life of righteousness and how doing so becomes our shield against the adversary's attacks. It's a journey of understanding God's standards, seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance, and finding strength within a community of believers. The message is clear: our identity in Christ is the ultimate defense, and discernment is the key to distinguishing truth from falsehood. Building a resilient faith isn't a one-time event—it's a daily commitment. Join us as we explore the transformative power of integrating spiritual practices into everyday life. Just like a cow methodically chews its cud, we discuss the impact that meditating on God's Word can have on our beliefs and actions. We discuss the significance of automaticity in forming habits that anchor us in truth and fortify our defenses against deception. You can visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net. Also be sure to check out the awesome merch at wearewarriorsapparel.com and purchase from our sponsor. You can also check our merch store as well at our website. Please subscribe and share and have a blessed week!

Have you ever made a solemn vow that you would stop doing something that created an irritation in your life? Maybe it was a New Years resolution or a promise you made to yourself because you were just flat out tired of a bad habit. I’ve had a few and some of them I never defeated. At times I never even started! Whatever your vow was, did you beat it? My guess is, probably not. Why is that? Because behavior modification doesn’t work. You don’t get to the root of the problem which is the thought that started the behavior. The problem is the neuropathway that leads to the behavior. The problem is how we attack the problems. We focus on changing our behavior by making a commitment to stop doing something. Have you done that as well … or am I the only one? This week on Connecting the Gap Podcast we continue our study on Spiritual Warfare, The Battle Within - Overcoming the Invisible War. We talked about getting stuck in mind ruts last week. This week we decipher how to get out of them. If you live in confusion most of the time as to why you can't get out of the ruts, this week will help you understand why that is such a battle and how to fix it. Visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net for everything about our ministry and more. Also visit our sponsors website at wearewarriorsapparel.com for some awesome We Are Warriors gear that makes a statement! We also now have a merch store up as well with Connecting the Gap gear. Help spread the word about us by purchasing some cool stuff to wear or use. The link for our merch store is also at our website. We pray you have a blessed week!

Do you ever wonder why you do the things you do that you don't want to do, promise to never do them again, and then repeat the pattern? Why does that happen? It gets very frustrating! Much of this has to do with our thought patterns. The more we think a certain way without trying to replace it with something better or to change the cycle, it creates a rut. Repeated thoughts make paths in our brains. Neuropathways are brain ruts. If you think you are a victim who never has a steady job or that no one likes you and you can’t keep a relationship, you are programming your brain to look for evidence to support that thought about yourself and filtering out the evidence that says it isn’t true. You are falling into a victim rut. Your brain is looking for patterns and creating pathways that help you keep thinking the things you are thinking and doing the things you keep doing. That’s why it is so hard to do new things sometimes like riding a bike or learning an instrument. When they say practice makes perfect, that means you are repeatedly doing something over and over to train your brain to eventually help you perform the action of riding the bike or playing the instrument. As you have that thought or perform that action over and over it becomes effortless to do so. The more you do something the more natural it becomes. We dive into this concept this week on Connecting the Gap with part 6 of our series, The Battle Within - Overcoming the Invisible War. Visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net. Also, please visit our sponsor at wearewarriorsapparel.com. We now have a merch store at our website so be sure to snag some of your favorite Connecting the Gap gear! We pray you have a blessed week!

Satan's lies are often deceptive because they may offer immediate gratification, personal gain, or a sense of control. They may appeal to our pride, promising greater wisdom, power, or pleasure. These lies resonate with our fallen nature, feeding our selfish desires and masking the eternal consequences of following them. Moreover, Satan often distorts God's truth, packaging his lies as half-truths, luring us into embracing them. He exploits our limited understanding and our desire for autonomy, convincing us that we can define truth and morality based on our own perspectives, rather than seeking God's wisdom. If Satan’s primary weapon is lies, then our greatest counter weapon is the truth of God’s word. And that’s not just reading God’s word, but to wield scripture as a divine weapon. This week we continue our study on Spiritual Warfare, The Battle Within. Visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net for everything about our ministry. Also, visit our sponsor at wearewarriorsapparel.com.

Imagine you are preparing for the most crucial conflict of your life, but the battlefield is invisible. To make matters even more dangerous, your enemy is invisible as well. You don't know their patterns, their influence to fight, or how to even approach conceiving a battle plan to take them out. But yet you call yourself a soldier. You may be thinking, "That would be crazy! I would never set myself up for that!" But in all reality, most of us live this way every day. We go through our life daily not really knowing who Satan really is, what inspires him to try to demolish us, or even what kind of an army he keeps by his side. We don't even know his patterns enough to know where he may strike at us next! We totally ignore the reality that he is our unseen adversary, and then we wonder why we struggle so much when he comes up against us. We err to the side of "what we don't know won't hurt us." That is exactly why so many people are struggling. When you have anxiety, depression, guilt, shame, or you or your family seems to be literally being taken out one by one, there is an unseen force causing all of that to happen in your life. His name is Satan. Let's take care of that problem this week! Welcome to the biography of Satan! This week on Connecting the Gap we go into the origins of Satan, how he became a fallen angel, and how he loves to intertwine into our lives to keep us from loving God and claiming our eternal reward. You can visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net for everything about our podcast and ministry. Check out our new merch store as well for some Connecting the Gap gear. Also, please check out our sponsors website at wearewarriorsapparel.com and pick up some awesome gear to give you a reminder to overcome! Thanks for subscribing, sharing, and listening, and we pray you have a blessed week!

Does prayer and taking authority in the name of Jesus give us power over demonic forces? Does Satan want to rob us of everything God wants to give us? As believers, how can we guard our hearts and minds against the lies and influences that may try to take us away from God’s path? How do we overcome Satan’s lies? Our culture has become fascinated with the ultimate conflict between good and evil. Not only in the outward manifestations but in the underworld and the spiritual beings that inhabit it. Ephesians 6:12 in the Bible states: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." This verse suggests that there exists both a visible world (flesh and blood) and an invisible world (rulers, authorities, cosmic powers, and spiritual forces of evil). It implies that there are spiritual forces at work behind the scenes, influencing and exerting power in the heavenly places. The visible world refers to the physical realm that we experience with our senses. It is the tangible, material world that we perceive through our interactions with other human beings and the physical environment. In this visible world, we encounter people, institutions, societal structures, and natural phenomena. On the other hand, the invisible world mentioned in Ephesians 6:12 refers to the spiritual realm that operates beyond our physical senses and perception. It includes spiritual entities and forces. These unseen forces are depicted as rulers, authorities, cosmic powers, and spiritual forces of evil. These spiritual forces can influence and interact with the visible world, affecting individuals, communities, and even larger contexts like nations. They play a role in shaping human behavior, societal dynamics, and the broader spiritual battle between good and evil. This is a world where angels and demons play a pivotal role in our lives. This week on Connecting the Gap we continue this study on Spiritual warfare and the battle we fight within. You can visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net for everything about our ministry. While you are there be sure to check out our merch shop and score you some Connecting the Gap gear! Also please check out our sponsors website at wearewarriorsapparel.com. Have a blessed week!

Why should we study Spiritual Warfare? Are we really in a war? Do you like the way your thought life is taking you? Is there a difference between worldly war and the spiritual war? These questions and many others weigh heavily on people's minds all the time. If you think about it, sometime in your past you may have thought about these questions as well. Maybe they are on your mind right now. We all fight battles in our mind every day. Do you wonder sometimes why those battles are there? Do you always think they are self-instigated, or do you realize that sometimes there is something, or someone, out there trying to win your soul? These are things we have to think about when it comes to the reality of our eternity. A large number of pastors and teachers today ignore or downplay spiritual warfare to the point that many professing Christians don't even know they are in a war. This lack of awareness puts Christians in serious danger. We as Christians need to know our enemy and his strategies. Above all, we need to know how to gain victory over this enemy. This week we continue our series on "The Battle Within - Overcoming the Invisible War" with Part 2 of this extensive series. Visit our website at connectingthegap.net for more about our ministry. Also, don't forget to check out the merchandise our sponsor wearewarriorsapparel.com has to offer. We also now have our own merch store open as well! Go check that out with the link at our website and share the love with your own Connecting the Gap gear! Thanks for your prayers and support!

Are we really in a spiritual war? Who does Satan and his demonic forces attack? Is Satan all knowing? Does he really know all about me and my weaknesses? Is the secret to the battle just pray a prayer, take a prayer walk or “bind” Satan? There is a spiritual battleground that lies beneath the surface attacking our families and our homes. Our latest series unveils the invisible war within our homes, going beyond mere relational conflicts to confront the spiritual forces at play. Discover how Ephesians 6:12 casts light on our true adversaries and how, by embracing both biblical wisdom and scientific insights, we can fortify our families in faith. Our new series "The Battle Within" begins by exposing Satan's subtle maneuvers aimed at disrupting the family unit, including the origins of this ancient conflict. We discuss how Paul and Peter grappled with spiritual warfare and how these lessons apply to our lives today. We'll share strategies that harness the armor of God and the power of the Holy Spirit to claim the victories Christ has secured for us. Understanding these elements is crucial for every believer eager to stand firm against spiritual assaults. Concluding our discussion this week, we dispel common myths about family spiritual warfare and emphasize the necessity of vigilance and community support within the Christian faith. We'll work our way through ten strategies that empower you to safeguard your home against the enemy’s divide-and-conquer tactics. In the weeks to come we will continue our discussion about maintaining the spiritual well-being of our families, and individually recognize how to better understand how Satan likes to battle us in our own life. Never forget, we're unified in this spiritual struggle, empowered by the transformative truth of the gospel. Visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net for more about our ministry. We also have a new merch shop open so please go check that out and help spread the word! Also, check out our sponsor at wearewarriorsapparel.com. Have a blessed week!

Why does God allow bad things to happen? Does God even care when things take a terrible turn in our lives? As our current study series draws to a close, I'm reminded of the truth that pain and suffering can be divine tools for growth and transformation. As we contemplate the sovereignty of Jesus through the lens of historical and biblical figures, we find comfort in the omnipotence of God. Exploring the balance of God's control and our human response has never been more important. The rich scriptural insights from Isaiah and James serve as beacons for our own lives, guiding us through the complexities of honoring God's sovereignty while actively engaging in prayer and trust. This discussion takes us further into understanding how every trial and victory can magnify His power in our vulnerability, and how our actions can glorify Him against the backdrop of His higher wisdom. As I share a portion of the story of one of my wife's medical procedures, it's a testament to the power of prayer and the healing that comes from surrendering to God's will. This narrative isn't just my own—it's an invitation for all to see God's hand at work in every facet of our lives. Next week we start our new series "The Battle Within - Overcoming the Invisible War". This upcoming series promises to arm you with knowledge and spiritual armor to confront life-controlling issues, continuing our pursuit of deeper faith and understanding. Please visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net for more about our ministry. Also, check out the awesome merch at wearewarriorsapparel.com. We thank them for being a sponsor of our ministry. Please subscribe and share. It's through your stories, feedback, and engagement that this ministry thrives, and I eagerly anticipate walking alongside you as we step into the next chapter of this spiritual journey in 2024! Costi Hinn More than a Healer

This week we unravel the seamless blend of justice and faith embodied in Jesus' teachings, and their resonating impact in our world today. Imagine a justice system so perfect, it offers comfort in times of distress, and assures us of God's absolute authority in holding all accountable—this is the justice of God we delve into. As we navigate through the scriptures, our understanding deepens regarding God's impartiality and the expectation that we live our lives in line with His righteous standards, finding peace in His promise-keeping nature. The Church stands at the forefront, challenged to illuminate the path toward being equal in God's eyes. We ask ourselves; how can the Church transform from a silent spectator to a dynamic catalyst for change? In this week's discussion, we dissect the Church's imperative role to advocate for the oppressed, educate communities, and embody the same radical love and justice Jesus demonstrated. We're reminded that biblical justice isn't just about fairness; it's an expression of love—embodied in the actions of the likes of the Good Samaritan, transcending social barriers with compassion. In our final chapter, we transition from reflection to action, bridging the gap between the gospel's promise and our daily walk of faith. Visit us at connectingthegap.net for more about us and our ministry. Please check out our sponsors website as well at wearewarriorsapparel.com. Thanks for listening and Happy New Year! Costi Hinn More than a Healer

Have you ever felt torn between the pressure of being accepted and the call to follow your deeper convictions in your walk with God? This week on Connecting the Gap, we unwrap more than just presents; we unravel the timeless struggle for approval and the beauty in choosing God's perspective over popular opinion. This week's special Christmas episode invites you to journey through Joseph's story, a tale of faith and fidelity that created challenges in his life. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus and the salvation He brings, we contemplate the transformation that occurs when one lives for an audience of one—God Himself. Join us this week for a journey through Joseph's dilemma, an engagement bound by divine intervention yet mired in potential scandal. Joseph's internal battle, the angelic message in a dream, and the societal stakes at play create a narrative that was a battle in Biblical times and has carried on into today. This episode is an invitation to explore the depths of your own beliefs, to recognize the value of spiritual integrity, and to possibly see the festive season and our everyday life choices in a new, transformative light. It's time to search your motives, to question, and to find peace in the true meaning of Christmas and the courage it takes to stand by one's convictions. You can visit our website at connectingthegap.net for everything you need to know about our podcast. We also thank our sponsor wearewarriorsapparel.com. We pray that you have a very Merry Christmas! LC

Unmasking the true essence of love, we dive into a discussion exploring how it's embodied in Jesus. This week, we traverse the biblical concept of love, engaging deep conversations about selflessness, compassion, and the role pain plays in bringing us closer to God. We believe that understanding Jesus as the personification of love can significantly deepen our relationship with Him, and we invite you to join us in this week's episode. As we immerse ourselves in the profound meaning of the hymn 'Blessed Be the Tithe that Binds', we unravel the essence of joy and fellowship within Christian communities. Drawing stark contrasts between the world's transactional view of love and God's transformative love, we will discuss three biblical truths about God's love: its perfection, its ability to cast out fear, and its transformative power. Our exploration surfaces the importance of understanding and experiencing God's love as the key to finding true fulfillment and purpose in life. Venturing into the core message of the Gospel, we examine its profound connection to Christian love. We shed light on how God's sacrificial love, demonstrated through Jesus, serves as the foundation for Christian love and inspires us to love others selflessly. Reflecting upon historical disputes among influential figures like RC Chapman, George Mueller, John Nelson Darby, and Benjamin Willis Newton, we investigate their effect on Christian fellowship. Lastly, we explore Jesus' unconditional and sacrificial love, emphasizing its influence on our daily interactions. Join us at Connecting the Gap and be part of our mission to bridge the gap in our biblical walk with God. Let's walk together, growing in understanding and faith every step of the way. You can visit our website at connectingthegap.net to learn all about our ministry. You can also download a copy of the transcript for this episode there as well. Next week we will have a special Christmas episode just for you! Please visit our sponsor for some awesome apparel at wearewarriorsapparel.com. Have a blessed week! Based on Costi Hinn More than a Healer

You say it, I say it, we all say it. It usually comes out when we purchase our first home, deliver a healthy baby, find a perfect front row parking spot at the grocery store, leave for our long-awaited summer vacation or get promoted at work, “God is so good!” There couldn’t be a more reassuring truth. God definitely is good! We say it because it is one of the best ways to express our appreciation to God for how things are working out in our favor and for giving us a temporary state of happiness and excitement. Would we say the same thing, however, if things weren’t working out the way we desired? Do we truly embrace the fact that God is good, even when our circumstances are not? Could there be more to God’s goodness than the bright side to our story? If we’re going to grow closer to Jesus than ever before and find our ultimate purpose in who he is (and not merely in what he can do), we must ask ourselves these kinds of challenging questions. They are essential to our growth. When things are going right, we rightly declare God’s goodness, but the Bible tells us that God is good even when things are going horribly wrong. This is because goodness is part of God’s nature. He is always good because it is innate to who he is. This week we once again dig deeper into our study on Who is Jesus? This week we talk about Jesus is Good. Visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net for all the stuff you need to know about our podcast and ministry. The transcript for todays episode is also on the website as well. Thanks to our sponsor, We are Warriors Apparel at wearewarriorsapparel.com. Please subscribe, share, or leave a 5-star review! Thanks, and have a blessed week! Based on More Than a Healer by Costi Hinn

A poll was taken by Pastor Costi Hinn on X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram and hundreds of people responded on Instagram and thousands of responses flooded in on X. The question was “what comfort do you sometimes turn to BEFORE Jesus?" The responses to vote on included comfort foods/snacks, working out, retail therapy, complaining/venting. The results were very disturbing. More than 85% sometimes turn to comfort food (as I do sometimes), or complaining and venting before turning to Christ. That’s a big OUCH! When we rely on comforts to solve our problems or meet our emotional needs, we often find that they fall short of achieving the desired results. Comforts, such as food, shopping, or other pleasurable activities, might provide temporary relief or distraction, but they are unable to address the deeper issues at hand. In fact, they can act as thieves, luring us into a false sense of security and leaving us feeling empty or unfulfilled in the long run. Comforts can become problematic when we become overly dependent on them or use them as a means to escape or avoid facing our problems. This reliance can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms and, in some cases, addictive behaviors. We might turn to comforts repeatedly, seeking momentary relief without actually addressing the root causes of our issues. As a result, we get trapped in a cycle where we constantly seek comfort, yet never truly find lasting solutions or resolution. This week we continue our series on Who is Jesus. This week we discuss Jesus, our Comfort. Do you need comfort in your life today, but you are looking in all the wrong places? We all do that at times in our life. Visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net for everything about our ministry and be sure to check us out on social media on X and Facebook. Transcripts for this series are also available on the website as well. Thanks for joining us this week and we hope you have a blessed week! Based on Costi Hinn More than a Healer

Throughout 1 Peter, Peter encourages believers to maintain their faith and conduct themselves with grace even in the midst of adversity. He reminds them that they are part of a chosen people, a holy nation, and a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) and urges them to "rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed" (1 Peter 4:13). The letter of 1 Peter resonates with believers even today as it offers reassurance, guidance, and hope during times of trials and difficulties. Its message encourages Christians to find strength in their identity as God's chosen people, to trust in God's faithfulness, and to persevere with hope in the ultimate victory found in Jesus Christ. In the same way that Peter encouraged the early church, I encourage you to set your hope fully in Christ, emphasizing the word “fully”. Have you ever felt hopeless in life? Trapped? Holding on by a thread? Suffocating under your burdens? If we aren't careful, our pain can become our purpose. The challenges you face have the potential to fuel your determination and drive. Embrace your pain, learn from it, and let it ignite your passion to make a difference in your life. Commit to trusting that Jesus will have the final say. This week we continue our discussion on "Who is Jesus? He is our only hope! Visit connectingthegap.net for everything you need to know about our ministry. A transcript is also available at our website for each episode of this series. Thanks for listening this week and we hope you have a blessed week! Based on Costi Hinn, More than a Healer