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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Feel free to reach out with any questions: [email protected]

Sponsors: 
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website:  www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com   
Phone:  205-326-7364

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

Today's story is founding II Chronicles 20. I recommend you give that short chapter a read. Jehoshaphat and Judah teach us a great deal about how God responds to faith. But faith is more than just a word. It includes initial turning to God, casting our eyes upon Him, and obeying His will. What it does not require is our own strength to prove ourselves to Him. On the contrary, time and time again, God proves Himself to His people. He is our amazing God, worthy of worship and adoration. He fights our battles. He often just asks us to show up and be prepared. But we must keep the faith until the end. Let's explore that journey together. 

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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)
Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)
Youtube Video Introducing the Content
Feel free to reach out with any questions: [email protected]

Sponsors: 
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website:  www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com   
Phone:  205-326-7364

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

Authority is a funny thing. The best leaders are honest about their struggles and challenges. They are great listeners, especially in the process of making decisions. And they are excellent examples to those under their charge in key areas like humility, integrity, and care for others.

However, not all leaders do such a great job. They are pretty good at giving instruction, and expecting all of the things from the previous paragraph. But we need to do better. Husbands, fathers, this one is for you. It would be easy to tell our kids to take instruction well and be challenged to do their best. But do you take instruction well? Do you need the encouragement to refocus and do your best? Follow along today and see if there is more value in those things than meets the eye.

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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)
Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)
Youtube Video Introducing the Content
Feel free to reach out with any questions: [email protected]

Sponsors: 
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website:  www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com   
Phone:  205-326-7364

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

What's it going to be? What is that one thing it is time to change? You don't have to know the how at the moment. You simply need to visualize a better version of you one year from today. Then you must decide, now, that today starts a 12 month, unstoppable journey. The rest will work itself out! 

Does a year sound like a long time? We both know it is not. Years fly by! If we aren't intentional about them they glob together and blur by. But if you can take a year and address something whole heartedly... something incredible is going to happen. Let's talk about what that will look like for you!

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Click link for ESM Journal Page:
Excel Still More Journal at the Spiritbuilding Publishers
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Sponsors: 
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website:  www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com   
Phone:  205-326-7364

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

Recap of Carnegie Part 1:
- Don't Criticize, Condemn, or Complain.
- Give Honest and Sincere Appreciation.
- Arouse in the Other Person an Eager Want.

To dig more deeply into these, here are 6 Ways to make People Like you
1) Be Genuinely Interested in Other People 
2) Smile
3) Learn People's Names
4) Be a Good Listener
5) Talk in Terms of Other's Interests
6) Make the Other Person Feel Important

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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)
Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)
Youtube Video Introducing the Content
Feel free to reach out with any questions: [email protected]

We read through John 1 as our sample text today. Here is that content:

Recap:
John’s gospel starts “in the beginning.” Jesus was the Word in heaven who made all things. After creation, He becomes the Light from heaven to illuminate our hearts. Jesus is the grace of God revealed to bring the Father’s favor. He is the Lamb of God who would die to “take away the sins of the world.” He is the Christ prophesied in the Old Testament. Jesus Christ is the greatest gift man has ever been given. John the Baptist proclaims Jesus as the Son of God, saying he has seen the Spirit fall on Him and that Jesus will be the One who baptizes others in the Holy Spirit. Jesus then begins his public ministry by calling into service four men from Galilee: Peter, Andrew, Philip, and Nathanael.

Application:
Most scholars contend that John’s Letter is the last inspired Gospel. He brings a different perspective and unique details to Christ’s ministry. The central point of his letter is belief. We must believe Jesus is the Creator. We must embrace Him as God’s Light and grace, and as the sacrificial Lamb sent to save us from our sins. The evidence from John the Baptist, the Old Testament prophets, and the Holy Spirit falling on Him testify to Christ’s identity. We must see Him as Nathanael did: with amazement and humility. Starting with simple trusting faith, Jesus takes Nathanael on an incredible journey and shows him many wonderful things. He will do likewise in our lives if we choose to follow Him.

Prayer:
Glorious Father, we praise Your Name for Your beautiful grace. Thank You for taking all the blessings You seek to give us and placing them in Your Son. If we will pursue Him, loving and obeying Him, we will be forgiven and saved forever. Great God, we ask you to take us on a journey like the four men who followed Jesus. Overwhelm us with Christ’s glory. Then take us places we have never been, show us things we cannot imagine, and use us
in ways we never thought possible. Lord, we believe. Show us ” how to follow Jesus.

Thought Questions:
Is Jesus your Creator? Is He God’s greatest gift to bring grace and hope into your life? Why are those questions important?

John the Baptist was a great prophet, but he always redirected glory to Jesus. How do you direct all glory to Christ?

If Jesus showed up today and said, “Follow Me”, would you go? How is He already calling you to do that in your life?

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Our Brand New ESM Daily Bible Devotional has been released!
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Sponsors: 
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website:  www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com   
Phone:  205-326-7364

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

Well, it just doesn't get much better than this. In fact, outside of Scripture, I think this 1936 book by Dale Carnegie is the most helpful thing someone could read to improve their life. Our lives are composed of relationships. When those relationships are healthy, there is love and peace and things are amazing. When our relationships are damaged, we feel it deeply and in every aspect of life.

Over the next several weeks, I hope to present several episodes from this great book. Today we start with three opening ideas that set the tone. They ask you to consider your attitude, your mindset, and how you see people. When this becomes more Christ-like and humble, a whole bunch of good outcomes become possible. Follow along with me as we look at criticism, compliments, and seeing things from the perspective of others. 

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Click link for ESM Journal Page:
Excel Still More Journal at the Spiritbuilding Publishers
Video to describe the ESM Journal.

Sponsors: 
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website:  www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com   
Phone:  205-326-7364

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

Here are the 8 Essentials to Strengthening Your Faith:
1) Join God's Team (understanding you are a part of a group)
2) Acknowledge God's Power (He is almighty and always with you)
3) Embrace Spiritual Training (This takes worth and it is so worth it!)
4) Communicate with God (Start your day with God, stay close with Him)

5) Study God's Playbook (Read to learn, to understand, to follow the plan)
6) Team Up with Others (Be a walker with warriors, watchmen and workmen)
7) Know Your Role (Be specific. What is your role right now among Christians?)
8) Share with Others (Nothing will help grow faster than preparing to teach)

Remember: Engage, Equip, and Engage.
This is for students, to help them get strong and to be leaders today.
This is for parents, trying to engage their kids in the world of Jesus.
This is for adults, who can sometimes lose their passion for the plan of God. 

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Click link for ESM Journal Page:
Excel Still More Journal at the Spiritbuilding Publishers
Video to describe the ESM Journal.

Sponsors: 
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website:  www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com   
Phone:  205-326-7364

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

Here is some information on "The Core: 8 Essentials to Strengthening Your Faith"

Three Objectives regarding the Truth of Jesus Christ:
1) Engage - Get young people, and all people, thinking about spiritual things. Let's challenge our spiritual health and get involved in forming a direction.
2) Equip - We need to get into how to do better. What do we need to know, plan, and refine in order to be able to get closer to Christ and spread Truth.
3) Engage - The mission isn't just to be saved. The mission is to share the salvation of Jesus Christ with others! How do engage younger believers in this work?

In this episode we begin with four Crucial Steps to building a stronger faith core within our young people, and within us all. 
1 - Join God's Team (what is the team element of faith?)
2 - Acknowledge God's Power (is He mighty to save and help you?)
3 - Embrace Spiritual Training (how specifically are you getting stronger?)
4 - Communicate with God (take all we learn today to God in prayer, honestly)

Send us a text

Click link for ESM Journal Page:
Excel Still More Journal at the Spiritbuilding Publishers
Video to describe the ESM Journal.

Sponsors: 
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website:  www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com   
Phone:  205-326-7364

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

Hilltops of Glory

Verse 1: Onward rejoicing I tread life’s way, Higher I’m climbing each passing day; Hilltops of Glory now rise in view, where all shall be made new.

Verse 2: Way down in Egypt mid burning sand, Moses has started for Canaan’s land; Never turn backward always ascend on to the journey’s end.

Verse 3: Footsteps of Jesus before us lead, We tread life’s journey, His warnings heed; Evil allurements cannot prevail, I’m on the upward trail.

Chorus: Hilltops of glory I now can see. O brother won’t you come go with me? Safe on the mountain I soon shall stand Hilltops of glory land.

What keeps people from the faithful trail?
- Lack of Understanding
- Fear of Loss/Failure
- Perceived Shortage of Resources

And what habits benefit people in their walk with God?
- Start Early
- Be Consistent
- Don't Panic!

Send us a text

Click link for ESM Journal Page:
Excel Still More Journal at the Spiritbuilding Publishers
Video to describe the ESM Journal.

Sponsors: 
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website:  www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com   
Phone:  205-326-7364

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

Shia LaBeouf has had a troubled past. He is still not aware of the fullness of God's saving grace in Christ. But he is on a journey that started with a dramatic turn. This turn is needed in the lives of many, even among our own fellowship. In some ways, abandoning my managerial skills to give God control, is something I need to renew and commit to as well. Maybe we can encourage one another. 

Here is the section from his interview:

My opinion about God before my world had crumbled was – art, love and God – they all mean the same thing, they are synonymous. 

 And I had also been told my whole life, your life is your life, you have to make with it what you can, you know. You’ve got to be a good guy, and then you got to get married, then you have to get a house and you have to get a job, and be good at your job – and like – your life is your life. And things will work out if you put the effort in, and I always really felt that. 

 And it made it hard to believe in God, because it felt like my managerial skills are what are going to amount to a fulfilled existence. When all of my designs failed, when all of my plans went out the window, when my life had led to serious infliction of pain and damage to other people – I threw up my hands like – my plans are garbage and I don’t want to be here anymore. 

 Pain made me willing to go about this in a different way than I had previously. The news that had come out is that I had been abusive to women, and I’ve been shooting dogs, and I’ve been willingly giving women STDs and like – it’s disgusting, it’s depraved. I felt deep shame, deep guilt, shame like I had never experienced before. The kind of shame where you forget how to breathe. 

 It was seeing other people who had sinned beyond anything I could even conceptualize also being found in Christ that made me feel like, okay well, that gives me hope. I started hearing experiences, of other depraved people who had found their way in this. The Gospel gave me this invite to just let go. I came from the school of – God helps those who help themselves. That’s not what I found. God comes to those who ask, that’s what I have experienced. 

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Click link for ESM Journal Page:
Excel Still More Journal at the Spiritbuilding Publishers
Video to describe the ESM Journal.

Sponsors: 
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website:  www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com   
Phone:  205-326-7364

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

I'd like to include the excerpts from the Q and A session by Dan Martell. He was asked, "What do you think about cutting out all distractions like social media, video games, and sugar?  He responded, "Awesome question. Whatever you are not willing to give up is going to be the thing that slows you down from achieving your dreams. If that list is really long, it is improbable that you will ever achieve anything important." He went on to say, "People ask me: 'Dan, what did you do to become successful?'" "It's not what I did, it's what I don't do. I don't drink. I don't eat sugar. I don't sleep in... So if you just get rid of all of those vices that hold you back, that's what CREATES THE SPACE for you to become more."