Join Schell and Danielle as they welcome guest co-host, Cole Williams. In this episode we discuss the faces of pride and the simple ways we can shut the voices off that want to puff us up or tear us down. Cole's ministry Word for words: "seeing words in 3-D"__defining words God's way for a deeper understanding P-ersonally  P-ersistently R-esisting  R-idiculing I-dentity I-dentity D-epending on D-ue to E-ternity E-mptiness The highest place of pride you can be is shame. It's telling Jesus what He did for you isn't enough. Unworthiness stems from pride. Scripture: Proverbs 16:18- "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. (NIV)" "Your boast becomes a prophecy of a future failure. The higher you lift yourself up in pride, the harder you'll fall in disgrace. (TPT)" Scripture through topics: Die to self- Luke 9:23- "Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."' God with us- Matthew 1:22-23- 22"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”[a] (which means “God with us”)." Marriage-Two become One 8 and the two shall become one flesh; so they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” Longing for belonging misplaced Psalm 84:2 "My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. (ESV)" Matthew 5:6- “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (ESV)"

Join Schell and Danielle as they explore what scripture has to say about spiritual warfare and discuss how do I know if it's a battle or just hard circumstances? Key Scripture: Ephesians 6:10 10-For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Terms: See Strong's Concordance via⁠ BibleHub.com⁠ for further study of these terms that were mentioned Pale-to wrestling, generally fight Flesh-our physical body or human nature (physically or morally) and its frailties and passions Blood- other people principalities, powers...-the character of Satan and his demonic forces world forces- current time period in history Topics through scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:5- "Take every thought captive" 1 John 4:1-4 - "Test the spirits" Ephesians 4:31- "Get rid of all bitterness..." John 10:10-T"he thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy..." 1 Peter 5:8- "...Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Luke 10:18-20- "And He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like lightning. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to walk on snakes and scorpions, and authority over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.” James 4:7- "Submit therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Scriptures prayed: Ephesians 5:6- "one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all." 2 Corinthians 5:21-"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." Jude 24-25- "To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—  Isaiah 55:9-“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Quotes: Bill Johnson- “Our effectiveness in spiritual warfare is no greater than our ability to control our thoughts.”  "What was once warring against me is now warring for me… when we bless and pray." Timothy Keller- "The first step to putting on your armor is humbly surrendering your will to God's." Schell- "The victory is having the obedience to do what God is telling us to do." Resources: Book- Armor of God- By Priscilla Shirer Fervent -By Priscilla Shirer- "...hands-on, knees-down, don't-give-up action guide to practical, purposeful praying." Song- Surrounded By Michael W. Smith- "This is how I fight my battles..."

Join Schell and Danielle as they activate the Armor of God teaching us to pray Ephesians 6:13-18: 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,  Additional scripture: Psalm 51:10-"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." (KJV) 2 Corinthians 10:5- "We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ," (NASB)

The Nitty Gritty welcomes guest Milena Kazarian-Keers as she imparts wisdom and practical application to sitting at Jesus' feet through The Bible- God's Holy Word. Quotable Moments: "[Reading God's Word] is an ever-growing faith journey. It does not have to look perfect." -Milena "God is able, I just need to be avail-able." -Danielle Scripture References: Life of Peter ⁠Got Questions⁠ ⁠Bible Study Tools⁠ ⁠Christianity.com⁠ Story of Joshua 1st mention- Exodus 17 With Moses- Deuteronomy 31:1–8; 34:9 with spies- Joshua 2:1-24 leading into promised land Joshua 5&6 "do not turn from the word"-Proverbs 4:27 "I will be with you"- Joshua 1:9 Paul in prison Acts 16:16-40 Psalm 119:9-11 NIV 9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?    By living according to your word.10 I seek you with all my heart;    do not let me stray from your commands.11 I have hidden your word in my heart    that I might not sin against you. verse 9 TPT "I consider your Word to be my greatest treasure" Psalm 118:24- "This is the day the LORD has made..." Psalm 46:10- "Be still and know that I am the LORD." Matthew 9:37-38- "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few..." "Be strong and courageous..." Deuteronomy 31:6 Proverbs 28:1- "The righteous are as bold as a lion.. Resources: The Bible Recap Women of the Word- Jen Wilkin Amazon link LifeWay link Precepts Study of Acts Inductive Bible Study ⁠Definition by Navigators:⁠ makes observations on a passage of Scripture and then draws conclusions based on those observations. Commonly, this method is defined by three parts: Observation, interpretation, and application. ⁠Precepts Guide⁠ Kay Arthur's Book- How to Study Your Bible: Discover the Life-Changing Approach to God's Word ⁠ChristianBook.com⁠ ⁠Amazon.com⁠ Tools for scripture memorization: write out on note cards write out on anything putting it to song hand motions teach others

In Episode 16 Schell and Danielle challenge you to ask the question, "How is reading God's Word, The Bible, going to change my life?" Join them as they discuss the power behind the Spiritual Discipline- Reading God's Word. 3 ways to approach God's Word: read-open scripture, ask Holy Spirit what He wants to show you study-context, author, history, theme, original language, audience, original message, commentary, personal application-merging intellect with spiritual meditate-"Jesus wash over me", head to heart to embodiment, memorization, contemplation, application The first thing we do in all three is invite the Holy Spirit into the process.  Scripture References by topic: Story of Hagar- Egyptian slave, Sarai's maidservant Genesis 16:1-16; 21:8-21 Noah's Lineage- Japheth-China and east Shem- Arabia and middle east Ham-Europe and west Spies- Numbers 13:17-33 Rahab- Joshua 6:25 Rahab's lineage- Great-great-great Grandmother of David-lineage leading to Jesus-Matthew 1:5 Set the captives free- prophecy-Isaiah 61:1 fulfillment of prophecy-Luke 4:18-21 Story of Saul to Paul- Acts 9  Mothers milk- 1 Corinthians 3:2 Made in His image- Genesis 1:27 Quoted scriptures: Romans 12:2- do not conform to the pattern of this world... John 14:12- greater works will you do...  Psalm 19:7-"The law of the Lord is [a]perfect, restoring the soul;The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple (NASB)." Jeremiah 15:16- "Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts." Nehemiah 8:10 "...The joy of the LORD is your strength" 5 Day Bible Reading Cycle  *Prior to studying a book, look into context history, etc (mentioned above) **See Resource list below Day 1- read the chapter to gauge and understand what it’s about. What does it reveal about God’s character? Day 2- What are repeated words and themes? underline and look up definitions, ask God to show me repeating themes, or words and phrases that stand out to me and ask him to reveal some insight. Day 3-cont. from day 2- theme, cross-reference Day 4- do I have questions? Go to gotquestions.org Day 5- "God to show me what and how to apply what I’ve learned to strengthen my faith as your child?" Quotes: "Just because it didn’t happen instantly and it’s not happening currently doesn’t mean it can’t happen suddenly" -pastor JJ Vasquez of Journey church Terms: incommunicable attributes-belong to only God sovereign, omniscient-all knowing, omnipresent-all present, omnipotent-all-powerful, eternal, self-existent communicable attributes-being "conformed to God's image" Romans 8:30 love, patience, kindness, mercy, grace, long-suffering revive Additional Resources: ⁠The Bible Recap⁠ with Tara Leigh Cobble.  Reading the word in a year, daily reminders, someone to walk through it with you. Kay Arthur Precepts color coding system  how to study Word's in original language Strong's concordance or Bible Hub lexicon- words in original language. ex. I like to type “lexicon (scripture reference)” i.e "lexicon daniel 1:6" into google and it brings up biblehub breakdown of whatever the word or phrase is that catches my attention. Difference between Protestant and Orthodox Bible Biblegateway.com Book Women of the Word By- Jenn Wilkin Commentaries Enduring word Blue Letter Bible  Bible apps You Version Through The Word Challenge: Try it. Write down your fears. Go for it.

In this episode, Schell and Danielle answer the question "How do I talk to my kids about fasting?" Luke 5:34- feasting with the bridegroom  What's the point? Anticipate excitement of being in God's presence. If it doesn't make sense, still explain the Biblical reason and one day the layering will make sense. Keep it simple: Jesus said it. Jesus did it. This is what we're going to do. Role-Play possible temptations that may arise during fast. Normalize that it's hard. Use that as discipleship opportunity even if they don't want to do it. Be mindful of nutritional needs for growing children, but ask God, don't limit what God is doing in your child's willing heart. Ask God to give you spiritual eyes to see when your child is struggling with because of the fast and see opportunities to pray with them. Ask God for strength. Invite your kids into fasting allow God to check and change the motives of their hearts. Allow them to take ownership. Pray on timeline and what kind of fast for kids. What’s realistic? Talk through schedule and help them prepare. What is Holy Spirit saying? Set them up for success. Give grace. Don't be legalistic. Ephesians 3:16-18 "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ..."

Key Scripture Isaiah 58:5-12 NIV 5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,    only a day for people to humble themselves?Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed    and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?Is that what you call a fast,    a day acceptable to the Lord? 6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:to loose the chains of injustice    and untie the cords of the yoke,to set the oppressed free    and break every yoke?7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them,    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,    and your healing will quickly appear;then your righteousness[a] will go before you,    and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;    you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression,    with the pointing finger and malicious talk,10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry    and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,then your light will rise in the darkness,    and your night will become like the noonday.11 The Lord will guide you always;    he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land    and will strengthen your frame.You will be like a well-watered garden,    like a spring whose waters never fail.12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins    and will raise up the age-old foundations;you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,    Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. Notes: Pharisees- a member of a Jewish sect of the intertestamental period noted for strict observance of rites and ceremonies of the written law and for insistence on the validity of their own oral traditions concerning the law Pharisaic (heart posture)- hypocritical censorious self-righteousness -Merriam-Webster Dictionary False worship: "look at me" vs. "God I seek you" entitlement building self and destruction of others wicked talk "From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks," (Luke 6:34). Commentaries/Resources Enduring word  Blueletterbible.org  Reflection What are your motives for your fast? What is the condition of your heart?  Get right with others, make your heart right with those around you to prepare your heart for the fast, confession, move away from those things and replace with the desired behaviors from the LORD.  Idea for fast: 1 cor 13:4-8 idea for scripture fast. Love is… patient. So do patience one day, then kindness, etc… Isaiah 58:1-2. Be eager in your day!

Fasting-Jesus did it, so should we. Fasting for Spiritual is NOT the same and for Physical. While both have health benefits, there IS a difference. Listen in as Schell and Danielle discuss the purpose, benefits, and Biblical command to this Spiritual Discipline. Heightened awareness-When you seek the thing you’re focused on, you see it more.  Selective Attention- The processes that allow an individual to select and focus on particular input for further processing while simultaneously suppressing irrelevant or distracting information. -National Library of Medicine Key Verse Isaiah 58:5 NASB Scripture: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 6:1 NASB)." “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you (Matthew 6:16-18)." corporate fasting Nehemiah 9:1-38 Joel 1:14 Matthew 18:20 keeping your fast between you and the Lord Matthew 7:6-not casting Kingdom ideas before people who don't understand and may even become angered by them-Bibleref.com prayer and fasting Daniel 9:3 God gave vision Daniel 10:2 Jesus tempted Matthew 4:1-11 Test the spirits 1 John 4  Resources: Wendy Speake- Sugar fast Susan Gregory- Daniel Fast Biblical Fasting Biblically defined fasting & examples: types, periods of time, and why Practical Application: Prepare for your fast- "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." What are you fast from, fasting for, believing for? Think it through. Pray about it. Write it out. Get the food/drink/etc. that you are fasting from out of your house.  Shop before fast starts with foods you can eat Consider health needs- prior unhealthy relationship to food, athletic training, dietary restrictions Fasting is NOT legalistic. A fast is to position and posture your heart towards Him. Fasting does not need to have rules around it. Yes, fasting is food; however, there are other things you can abstain from as you strengthen this discipline. It isn’t only things that the world sees as “bad.”  Fasting always starts with prayer. God's Word shows us that fasting looks different for everyone!  Fasting/abstaining ideas: Daniel fast Sugar fast  Caffeine Full fast -all food Social media Phone boundaries  Liquids only  apologizing when necessary not apologizing for who you are gossip reacting Fasting/Believing God for: confusion broken off healing marriage provision for love to abound generational stronghold job position financial favor Prayer: God, how can I give up what my flesh wants to feed, so I see what you want me to see in my environment in order to become the person you say that I am? Take off the junk that's holding me back from who I am. Help me surrender. Shareable quotes: "The point isn't to feel the burn...it's to reach for Jesus." -Schell "What you put in, is what you'll get out." Schell "God doesn't always give us what we are asking for, but He is faithful to give us exactly what we need in that moment." -Danielle "Christians are not perfect people. They are broken people who acknowledge their brokenness and need of a Savior. And the Savior is the only one who will give us freedom. And "Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is FREEDOM (2 Corinthians 3:17)."- Danielle

Spiritual Disciplines vs Life Disciplines Life Disciplines- Life things you need to do to make other things happen Spiritual Disciplines- Living out the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) Prayer Fasting Reading the Word-inviting the Holy Spirit into the process Reflection: What choices do I need to make to direct myself and my family back to Jesus? What are the things that hold me back from who God says I am? What is wrong with the idea, "I need to embrace and love who I am"? Scripture References: "Love is patient, love is kind..." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NASB). Changing us into the likeness of Jesus "For those whom He foreknew... become conformed to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29 NASB). "But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:18 NASB). Chosen by God "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;" (1Peter 2:9 NASB). Children of God "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:2 NIV). "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—" (John 1:12 NIV). His Spirit is in you-Those who choose Jesus have the Holy Spirit "Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit''' (Acts 2:38 NASB). Pharisees "Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses. Therefore, whatever they tell you, do and comply with it all, but do not do as they do; for they say things and do not do them. And they tie up heavy burdens and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as their finger" (Matthew 23:1-4 NASB) "The word is not meant to throw a burden on others it meant to lift the load off ourselves and others as we share it with Jesus." "For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:30). What does scripture say about disciplines? "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success" (Joshua 1:8 ESV emphasis added). "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things" (Philippians 4:8 NIV emphasis added).  "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you" (Philippians 4:9 NIV emphasis added). "but I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified" (1 Corinthians 9:27 NASB emphasis added). Additional notes & sources: Number of verses in Bible on prayer-somewhere between 450-650; it is debated by many different sources. Number of verses in Bible on fasting- over 70 times biblestudytools.com Disciplines vs Habits-Discipline requires intentionality and focus and conscious choice; whereas, habits start with intentionality and focus, but eventually become unconscious. discipline-training habit-regular tendency

Discipline: We train with purpose for a purpose "Isn’t it obvious that all runners on the racetrack keep on running to win, but only one receives the victor’s prize? Yet each one of you must run the race to be victorious. A true athlete will be disciplined in every respect, practicing constant self-control in order to win a laurel wreath that quickly withers. But we run our race to win a victor’s crown that will last forever. For that reason, I don’t run just for exercise or box like one throwing aimless punches, but I train like a champion athlete. I subdue my body and get it under my control, so that after preaching the good news to others I myself won’t be disqualified" (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 TPT). "Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as to avoid hitting air; but I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:25-27 NASB) Quotes: "Resist going inward, turn upward and go outward."-Schell Additional scripture: "This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth..." (Joshua 1:8). "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV). "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen" (2 Peter 3:18 NIV). "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13 NASB).