Connecting The Gap: Bible, Book Studies, and Interviews

Have you ever let anyone hear you? The REAL you? Do you prefer to emulate someone else? We often spend a significant amount of time and energy trying to be like other people due to various societal pressures and influences. Society often emphasizes certain ideals and standards of success, beauty, and acceptance, which leads us to believe that by emulating others who possess these qualities, we too can achieve happiness and fulfillment. This desire to fit in and be accepted can be so overpowering that we suppress our true selves. We fear judgment, criticism, and rejection if we were to reveal our authentic thoughts, desires, and talents to the world. Consequently, we try to mold ourselves into someone else's image, adopting their interests, beliefs, and behavior, and ultimately neglecting our own uniqueness. Facing our fears is easier said than done, especially when it involves putting our true selves on display. In this week's episode we tackle the twisted dance between fear, pride, and the desire to appear perfect. With God’s guidance, we can step out in faith and invest in our personal growth while maintaining a balance between authenticity and respect. Visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net for everything about us and our ministry. Also, go score yourself some new merch at wearewarriorsapparel.com. We also have Connecting the Gap merch at our website as well if you would like to help support the ministry! We pray you have a blessed week!

Have you ever felt like your true self is hidden beneath layers of past experiences and societal expectations? Like an onion, we can peel off one layer and find many more. Some of those layers are hard to navigate through as we try to deal with this thing we call life. This week on Connecting the Gap, we unpack the explanation of this from none other than the renown philosopher Shrek, as he explains about human complexity, revealing how our protective facades often conceal our genuine emotions and vulnerabilities. By peeling back these layers, we can better understand the internal conflicts that shape us and lead us toward a more authentic, fulfilling life. Our discussion will take us into the biblical perspective of human creation and our nature of being "fearfully and wonderfully made." We discuss the fine line between self-improvement and self-acceptance, drawing a poignant parallel to Cecilia Gimenez's well-intentioned restoration of the Ecce Homo Fresco. This serves as a reminder that our complexity and value are part of God's grand design, urging us to trust in His patient process of restoration rather than rushing to fix what might not be broken. You can visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net to find out more about our ministry. Also, check out some new threads at wearewarriorsapparel.com. You'll be glad you did! We pray you have a blessed week!

Luckily for us, while our given names identify us, they don’t define us. They don’t describe us. They don’t say anything about who we really are, about our dreams, our feelings, our passions, or our potential. In the vast landscape of our identities, our names occupy only a small corner. We understand, to some extent, that our true selves are composed of intricate layers that extend far beyond the surface-level representation encapsulated by a mere collection of letters. Yet, amidst the sea of introspection, it is worth asking ourselves: how much time and effort have we truly dedicated to unraveling the intricacies that drive us and exploring the aspects that shape our existence? There comes a time when we have to come face to face with the realization that our identity isn't solely determined by our name, our occupation, or our accomplishments. It encompasses a complex mixture of beliefs, values, passions, experiences, hopes, fears, and aspirations. Sometimes, we find that the facets we thought defined us are merely mirages perpetuated by external expectations or societal pressures. What names have you given yourself, or have others put on you while in pursuit of feeling qualified? This week we discuss that as we jump into part 2 of our study on being Unqualified. Visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net for everything about our ministry and how to listen to our episodes each week. Also visit our sponsors website for some awesome apparel at wearewarriorsapparel.com. Please subscribe and share and we pray you have a blessed week!

Don’t let your contradictions keep you from your calling. Many of us are overwhelmed by the gap between our weaknesses and our dreams, between who we are and who God says we are meant to be. We feel unqualified to do God’s work or to live out the possibilities we imagine. But God has a way of using our weaknesses for good. In fact, God loves unqualified people. This is pt 1 of a 12-part study about understanding your identity in light of who God is. It’s a study about coming to terms with the good, the bad, and the unmentionable in your life and learning to let God use you. It’s about charging into the gap between your present circumstances and your future dreams and meeting God there. After all, God can’t bless who you pretend to be. But he longs to bless who you really are: a flawed and broken person. Fortunately for us God is in the business of using broken people to do big things. Visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net for all of our platforms we are on and to learn more about our ministry. Also, be sure to visit our sponsors website at wearewarriorsapparel.com. We pray you have a blessed week!

Check out this week's episode for an exclusive interview with author, Drew Williams. Drew wrote a children's book geared towards 5–9-year-olds to kick off a future series of books entitled, "Backyard Benny". After moving into CityTown's newest neighborhood, four future friends face the furriest of fiascos... finding a dumpster-diving-dog named Benny a new home! Join Deon, Rain, Izzy, and Noah as they learn to overcome anxiety, face their fear of failure, and furnish fur-ever friendships. Drew is also a writer for One Hope, a ministry founded by Bob Hoskins in 1987, initially known as the Book of Hope. Starting in El Salvador with the distribution of simplified Bible stories to children, One Hope now aims to reach 4 billion children with the gospel within the next decade. Drew talks about their strategies including digital platforms and print solutions, and their partnerships with organizations like Life Church to address both physical and spiritual needs. From hygiene education programs in Cambodia to the development of interactive children's books, One Hope exemplifies commitment to spreading God's Word to every child. Whether you're involved in ministry, parenting, or simply love a good story, this episode has something valuable for you. You can visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net and our sponsors website at wearewarriorsapparel.com. The links for our featured ministry this week are below. A link to purchase the book is also on our website in the bookstore. Have a blessed week! To Purchase Drew's Book visit Amazon Here. Drew and Backyard Benny's Instagram: www.instagram.com/backyardbennybooks/ One Hope onehope.net One Hope Social Facebook: www.facebook.com/onehopeministry X: x.com/onehope Instagram: www.instagram.com/onehopeministry/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/OneHopeMinistry

What if the miracles you've heard about weren't just stories, but real experiences shared by someone who's lived them? Join us this week as we sit down with Ron Beebe, an 82-year-old music minister whose life is a testament to the incredible power of faith and prayer. From surviving double pneumonia as a child to witnessing acts of divine intervention through his father's ministry, Ron's journey uncovers the supernatural ways in which spirituality and belief can shape our lives. Hear firsthand how he battled spiritual adversity and found strength in the truth of God's word. Have you ever wondered how faith can guide your career and life choices? Ron's fascinating life story spans from Miami, Oklahoma, to serving as an Air Force medic, working as a lab technician, and finding fulfillment as a piano tuner. Discover the unique challenges he faced with jobs that had unconventional hours and how his family's military background influenced his path. The power of community and prayer shines brightly in Ron's narratives, from miraculous recoveries to unexpected blessings. Whether it’s the heartwarming tale of praying for a beloved Labrador retriever or the incredible story of overcoming a severe stroke, Ron's experiences show the importance of trusting God's guidance. Explore the impactful lessons on giving your problems to God, seeking His wisdom, and recognizing the everyday miracles that often go unnoticed. Visit us on the web at www.connectingthegap.net and be sure to visit our sponsors website at wearewarriorsapparel.com. Please subscribe and share! We pray you have a blessed week!

Over a decade ago, Nate Vainio with Something to Gnaw on Podcast, took a job in the goldmines in the mountains of Montana. Little did he know the challenges he would face and the battles that would be won in that short experience in his career. We all have to go to work at some point in our lives. The probability and statistics are that your co-workers for the most part are probably not believers. Some of us are lucky and get to work in a ministry where we are all on the same page. But what if your job isn't a ministry? How do you navigate the temptations that are thrown your way to tempt you to want to give up and fit in? We conclude this discussion this week on Connecting the Gap. You can visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net and my sponsors website at wearewarriorsapparel.com. You can visit Nate at www.somethingtognawon.com and check out his ministry as well! We pray you have a blessed week!

Over a decade ago, Nate Vainio with Something to Gnaw on Podcast, took a job in the goldmines in the mountains of Montana. Little did he know the challenges he would face and the battles that would be won in that short experience in his career. We all have to go to work at some point in our lives. The probability and statistics are that your co-workers for the most part are probably not believers. Some of us are lucky and get to work in a ministry where we are all on the same page. But what if your job isn't a ministry? How do you navigate the temptations that are thrown your way to tempt you to want to give up and fit in? We discuss that this week on this episode of Connecting the Gap. You can visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net and my sponsors website at wearewarriorsapparel.com. You can visit Nate at www.somethingtognawon.com and check out his ministry as well! We pray you have a blessed week!

Do not boil a young goat in its mother's milk ... HUH?? It's a bonus episode this week! A Connecting the Gap Shortz! Have a blessed week!

Rise Up began as a small women’s prayer group led by Holly Hoyer that met at her house in the fall of 2021. Within a short time, the group outgrew two other host homes. During this time of exponential growth, the Lord birthed a passion in several leaders’ hearts to start a prayer conference for women. As these prayer meetings grew in number, so did our passion, leading us to begin planning an annual prayer conference for women. The first prayer conference took place at The Keeter Center near Branson, Mo in August 2023. Shortly after the conference ended, it was evident the Lord was also calling the movement to branch into another event, Worship Night 2024. This was open to include women, men, and youth! On January 13, 2024, The Roxy in downtown Joplin held over 200 worshippers. People gathered to praise God and pray for a move of the Holy Spirit to fall on our city and nation! The vision for Rise Up continues to grow and expand as the Lord grows the desire in our hearts to do whatever He leads us to do. Currently the women’s prayer group meets at God’s Resort, a local non- profit mission in Joplin, Mo. We welcome all men and women to join us and Rise Up to what the Lord is calling His people to do - pray! This week, we meet up with Kim McIntire, Holly Hoyer, and Amber Sampson, almost 1 year later from when we had them here the last time and discuss with them the impact last year's conference and this year's worship night had on our community and beyond. We also discuss new things that are coming in the future and this year's conference coming up in August 2024. There are links below to help you connect with them with any questions you may have. You can also support their efforts with the conferences with the same links as well. Visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net and my sponsors website at wearewarriorsapparel.com. We pray you have a blessed week! Rise Up Website: https://itstimetoriseup.org/ Rise Up Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yestheofficialriseup Rise Up Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_official_rise_up/

Christian headlines reports that the best-selling book in 2023 was the Bible, but you likely won’t find it on any best-seller lists. The reasons for that vary, but according to The New Yorker, the Bible is quote “the best-selling book of the year, every year.” In 2006, per the New Yorker, the amount spent annually on Bibles has been put at more than half a billion dollars. According to Guinness World Records, the Bible is the best-selling book of all time. George Barna says 88% of Americans own a Bible, and most own multiple copies. While that’s impressive and even encouraging, the big question is whether Americans who own a Bible actually read it, and more importantly do they believe it and live according to its teachings? With over 5 billion copies sold, the Bible remains earth’s most-read book. But the world in which we read and engage with the Bible is rapidly changing. Do you read it? Do you retain it? Is this really an important enough question to ask? In Part 2 of these episodes, we sit down with Nate Vianio, the host of Something to Gnaw on Podcast, and we talk about the relevance of God's Word for today. Should you study it and hold close the scriptures to your heart? Joshua 1:8 says, "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Do you believe that? You can visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net for everything about our ministry. Also be sure to visit our sponsors website at wearewarriorsapparel.com. Check out our merch shop and help keep this ministry going! We pray you have a blessed week! Studies mentioned in this episode: https://bttbfiles.com/web/docs/cbe/Research_Synthesis_Bible_Engagement_and_Spiritual_Growth_Aug2012.pdf https://bttbfiles.com/web/docs/cbe/Scientific_Evidence_for_the_Power_of_4.pdf Nate's episodes to check out: Tithing Your Time Death To Pepe'

Christian headlines reports that the best-selling book in 2023 was the Bible, but you likely won’t find it on any best-seller lists. The reasons for that vary, but according to The New Yorker, the Bible is quote “the best-selling book of the year, every year.” In 2006, per the New Yorker, the amount spent annually on Bibles has been put at more than half a billion dollars. According to Guinness World Records, the Bible is the best-selling book of all time. George Barna says 88% of Americans own a Bible, and most own multiple copies. While that’s impressive and even encouraging, the big question is whether Americans who own a Bible actually read it, and more importantly do they believe it and live according to its teachings? With over 5 billion copies sold, the Bible remains earth’s most-read book. But the world in which we read and engage with the Bible is rapidly changing. Do you read it? Do you retain it? Is this really an important enough question to ask? For the next two episodes we sit down with Nate Vianio, the host of Something to Gnaw on Podcast, and we talk about the relevance of God's Word for today. Should you study it and hold close the scriptures to your heart? Joshua 1:8 says, "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Do you believe that? You can visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net for everything about our ministry. Also be sure to visit our sponsors website at wearewarriorsapparel.com. Check out our merch shop and help keep this ministry going! We pray you have a blessed week! Studies mentioned in this episode: https://bttbfiles.com/web/docs/cbe/Research_Synthesis_Bible_Engagement_and_Spiritual_Growth_Aug2012.pdf https://bttbfiles.com/web/docs/cbe/Scientific_Evidence_for_the_Power_of_4.pdf Nate's episodes to check out: Tithing Your Time Death To Pepe'

We’ve all made foolish requests of God, which we’re now glad He didn’t answer. But this is easily forgotten when He’s presently withholding something we think is good. With so many scriptural promises to answer prayer, why is God saying no? According to His Word, there are several possible reasons. God has forbidden it. God won’t contradict His Word or will, so praying for something prohibited in Scripture is futile. Because of Moses’ disobedience, God had decreed the leader wouldn’t enter the Promised Land. Moses asked Him to reconsider but was told not to speak of it again (Deut. 1:37; Deut. 3:23-28). It’s for our protection. Because of the divine revelations Paul received, God allowed a “thorn in the flesh” to remain in order to keep him from exalting himself. The Lord prioritizes our spiritual protection over physical comfort. God has a higher goal for us. Christ’s power was displayed in the weakness caused by Paul’s thorn. Knowing the higher goal for his suffering allowed Paul to be content and even appreciative of his weakness for Christ’s sake. The Lord has something better for us. Jesus didn’t immediately heal Lazarus. Mary and Martha couldn’t yet understand that He was going to do something even greater—raising Lazarus, which would glorify God (John 11:1-44). Our motives are wrong. James says one of the reasons we don’t receive our request is because we’re asking for selfish reasons and not according to God’s will (John 4:3). Many times we won’t understand the good that God is doing by withholding what we desire. But these examples let us know we can trust Him. At times in my life, I have been more concerned with not getting what I wanted than seeing where the Lord wanted me. We just have to remember when God takes something away, he creates space in our lives for more of him. Sometimes you have to pass by your plans to get to God’s purpose. Visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net for anything about our ministry. Please subscribe, share, and leave a comment or rating where you can. We appreciate you listening each week! Also visit our sponsors website at wearewarriorsapparel.com. We pray you have a blessed week! SF

What is the cure for demonic influence? Demonic influence is not a foreign concept to many Christians due to their belief in the existence of spiritual influences such as demons. Christians derive this belief from things they read, watch, and study, particularly the Bible, which extensively references demonic activity. Additionally, church teachings and personal experiences further reinforce this understanding among believers. The discernment of demonic influence in one's life or the lives of others can arise from various factors. Christians believe that demons are spiritual beings that can influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, both internally within an individual and externally in different situations. These influences may manifest in ways that are contrary to biblical principles, such as promoting deception, temptation, fear, or destruction. However, diagnosing the presence of demonic influence is only the first step. Christians are aware that identifying a problem without taking appropriate action is insufficient. Consequently, believers often seek guidance and solutions to deal with such influences in their lives. This week on Connecting the Gap we conclude our series on spiritual warfare, The Battle Within - Overcoming the Invisible War. It's been quite a ride and I hope you enjoyed and learned from it. Visit our website at www.connectingthegap.net for all the episodes in this series and the platforms we are on. Check out our merch shop and bookstore as well! Also be sure to visit our sponsors website at wearewarriorsapparel.com. We pray you have a blessed week!

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!