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Don’t Just Talk About It - Do Something - Part 5: The Journey of Persistent Faith · Couples’ Journey Podcast Channel

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  Is God truly the first place in our lives, especially when change feels difficult or delayed?
• 0:07
  Welcome to the final part of Don't Just Talk About It, Do Something,
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  where Ray and Annie share their heartfelt reflections on trusting God's timing
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  and choosing to prioritize Him above all else.
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  Today, we explore how consistent faiths are.
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  Repentance, and seeking help can anchor us through the lifelong journey of transformation.
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  Here's the final part of this week's series.
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  One of the hurtful comments we received when we first started sharing the gospel
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  with family and friends was, you guys are choosing faith as a way to make changes
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  because there's no other option.
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  When we heard this, we quietly acknowledged a certain layer of truth in those words.
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  It's true that we renewed our faith and chose to intentionally journey this
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  new life with Christ because we felt limited in our options.
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  However, on the other hand, there were other choices available.
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  But we decided to anchor our transformation in God's will and purpose.
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  The pain wasn't so much in the comment itself, but in the painful realization
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  that we, humans, tend to only turn to God when everything around us becomes difficult.
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  The truth is, God should always be our top priority in life.
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  Did God immediately change our situation? To some extent, yes, but not always.
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  Sometimes, discouragement makes us question whether we should wait on God's
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  guidance or simply become passive.
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  It was only when we genuinely realized that God's timing is beyond our understanding
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  that we began to trust Him more.
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  There are moments when God intentionally keeps things unmoved or shows very
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  little progress because He is transforming our hearts and minds,
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  foundations rooted in Him.
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  Most importantly, this transformation is a lifelong journey of restoration.
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  Relearning, and rejoicing that ultimately brings glory and honor to Him.
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  So, don't be discouraged if your attempt at radical change doesn't seem to be
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  moving as quickly as you hoped.
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  At the same time, don't let passivity delay God's work of transformation in
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  your life or even marriage.
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  Guidance is available through His Word, Christ's example in the Bible,
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  and the help of the Holy Spirit.
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  While practical steps have helped us navigate this new life with Christ and
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  embrace the call for change rooted in Him,
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  here are some key points we value and continue to practice when facing the need
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  to apply radical change in areas God reveals or prompts us to focus on. 1.
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  Keep Seeking God We've emphasized this many times in our blog,
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  the importance of both individual quiet time with God and family devotion.
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  We dig into His Word for guidance and reflect on the stories recorded there,
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  often finding similarities to our situations.
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  We pray regularly, and sometimes we ask our trusted small group of believers to pray for us as well.
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  Our devotion to seeking God is rooted in Matthew 6 verses 33-34,
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  seeking His kingdom first, trusting He will provide.
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  This attitude of seeking Him helps us resist anxiety, which can tempt us to
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  make drastic decisions that might complicate things further.
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  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
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  So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself.
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  Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6 verses 33-34 2.
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  Cultivate a heart of repentance We often see radical change when circumstances
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  turn in ways we didn't expect or find uncomfortable.
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  But not all situations that seem favorable are truly good for us.
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  Sometimes, God delays resolutions or guides us through unexpected paths to strengthen our endurance.
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  Endurance, as Romans 5 verses 3 to 5 reminds us, helps define God's purpose
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  and allows us to rejoice in His name.
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  And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations.
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  Knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance.
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  And perseverance, proven character.
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  And proven character, hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of
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  God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
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  Romans 5 verses 3-5. The change we desire begins with a continual longing for
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  repentance in our hearts and minds.
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  Similar to the warning given to the people of Jerusalem in Jeremiah 4 verse
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  14. Wash your heart from evil, O Jerusalem, that you may be saved.
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  How long will your wicked thoughts lodge within you?
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  Jeremiah 4 verse 14 Our desire for a change is a journey of repentance in heart and mind. 3.
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  Ask for help Sometimes, our delays or failures to act stem from innocence,
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  doubt, or discomfort due to a limited understanding.
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  We're grateful to God for leading us to people who can help us better understand our situations.
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  Develop action plans, and offer encouragement. We pray that God will guide us
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  to those who can assist us, whether a long-time friend, acquaintance,
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  or even a stranger we meet unexpectedly.
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  It's humbling to see how God orchestrates moments and touches hearts through
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  His grace and provision, often from unexpected sources.
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  We pray these key points will be helpful to you and your spouse, as they have been for us.
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  And if you find yourself amid a difficult situation, please don't hesitate to reach out.
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  Sometimes we don't have all the answers, but just having someone to talk to
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  can open the way for processing the challenges that cry out for radical change.
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  Before we close, we want to invite you to engage with us and support the Couples
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  Journey blog series podcast.
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  By following this channel, leaving comments, and sharing episodes with your family and friends.
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  You're helping us in our mission to transform marriages today.
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  Your support encourages more couples to seek God's guidance and grow stronger together.
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  Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can make a difference.
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  Here's the final part of today's episode.
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  As we conclude this series, remember that radical change is a process rooted
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  in trusting God's perfect timing and His ongoing work in our hearts.
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  Ray and Annie encourage us not to grow weary or passive, but to continually
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  seek, repent, and ask for help, knowing that God's grace is sufficient every step of the way.
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  Let's finish strong, committed to doing more than talking about change.
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  Let's live it out daily for His glory. Thanks for joining us this week.
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  We've closed another meaningful, faith-filled series that we pray has encouraged
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  and equipped you and your spouse.
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  Join us next week for another impactful series as we continue learning how to
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  build marriages anchored in Christ. God bless.