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The Battle Within: The Importance of Prayer in Spiritual Warfare - 169 · Marriage Life and More and Bible Study

• 0:03
  Daniel Moore: Why is being mindful of God's presence so critical?
• 0:06
  Daniel Moore: What is Satan's target?
• 0:09
  Daniel Moore: What is Satan's weapon?
• 0:12
  Daniel Moore: Well, this week we discussed that and more in our study on spiritual warfare.
• 0:17
  Daniel Moore: On this episode of Connecting the Gap, we continue our series to battle within overcoming the invisible war.
• 0:23
  Daniel Moore: This week we are on part 15.
• 0:26
  Daniel Moore: We'll be back right after this.
• 0:27
  Daniel Moore: And a word from our sponsor.
• 0:29
  Daniel Moore: They say that it is darkest.
• 1:04
  chataboutjesus.com: Right before the dawn.
• 1:05
  chataboutjesus.com: So remember, no matter what battle you are facing, what war is raging the dawn is coming.
• 1:20
  Daniel Moore: Prepare for battle, prepare for victory, prepare for battle, prepare for victory.
• 1:24
  Daniel Moore: Be sure to visit our sponsor's website at wearewarriorsapparelcom.
• 1:30
  Daniel Moore: Hey guys, welcome back.
• 1:32
  Daniel Moore: We've made it to another episode of Connecting the Gap.
• 1:36
  Daniel Moore: I'm Daniel Moore, the host for this podcast.
• 1:38
  Daniel Moore: Thank you, guys, for joining us this week.
• 1:40
  Daniel Moore: We've been in an extensive study for the last couple of months on spiritual warfare the battle.
• 1:52
  Daniel Moore: Within this week we are in episode 15 of that series and we've only got two more left to go after this one.
• 1:55
  Daniel Moore: And then we've got some awesome cool stuff lined up for after this series is over.
• 1:59
  Daniel Moore: So please subscribe and share if you want to make sure you catch all of that.
• 2:02
  Daniel Moore: As it happens here over the next couple of months and we'll be starting a new series later this summer as well Lots ahead of us here on Connecting the Gap.
• 2:11
  Daniel Moore: If you haven't checked out my merchandise shop yet, please do so.
• 2:14
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• 2:16
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• 2:18
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• 2:20
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• 2:25
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• 2:27
  Daniel Moore: Reach out to us, let us know things you like about the podcast, maybe give us some ideas of things we can discuss in the future, but we'd just love to hear from you, so go check that out at connectingthegapnet.
• 2:40
  Daniel Moore: We're also on social media and you can find us on Facebook and X with the handle at ctgap online.
• 2:47
  Daniel Moore: Well, as I said, this week we are in part 15 of our series on the battle within overcoming the invisible war, and we're going to be getting close to wrapping up this series here within the next couple of weeks.
• 3:14
  Daniel Moore: Why is being mindful of God's presence so critical?
• 3:17
  Daniel Moore: Well, what I'm about to tell you may seem offensively simple, but it's indescribably important.
• 3:24
  Daniel Moore: Are you ready for this?
• 3:25
  Daniel Moore: Because I don't want you to miss it.
• 3:26
  Daniel Moore: If you forget God is there, you're not going to talk to him.
• 3:32
  Daniel Moore: That's simple, right.
• 3:35
  Daniel Moore: But it's also true 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 own self-sufficiency.
• 3:48
  Daniel Moore: We often forget the importance of seeking God's guidance and intervention that he has in our lives.
• 3:53
  Daniel Moore: This can lead us down a path of isolation, stress and limited perspective.
• 3:59
  Daniel Moore: In Philippians, chapter 4, verse 6,.
• 4:02
  Daniel Moore: It serves as a reference for this idea.
• 4:05
  Daniel Moore: The verse states Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
• 4:15
  Daniel Moore: This verse reminds us that prayer is not limited to specific moments or situations, but should be a continuous and regular practice in our lives.
• 4:26
  Daniel Moore: When our thoughts and focus veer away from acknowledging God's presence, our lives quickly follow suit.
• 4:32
  Daniel Moore: We find ourselves relying on our own wisdom, facing challenges alone and succumbing to anxiety and worry.
• 4:40
  Daniel Moore: We may even question whether God is truly there for us.
• 4:44
  Daniel Moore: Can you guys relate?
• 4:46
  Daniel Moore: I know I've been there and I'm sure you have as well.
• 4:51
  Daniel Moore: However, when we become aware of God's presence and recognize His unfailing love for us, our perspective changes.
• 4:58
  Daniel Moore: We realize that we have the privilege to talk to Him, to share our joys and our fears and our desires.
• 5:04
  Daniel Moore: We understand that even in the most challenging times, we have a loving and caring God who is ready to listen and respond During difficult situations.
• 5:16
  Daniel Moore: We find peace and comfort in knowing that we can turn to God in prayer.
• 5:20
  Daniel Moore: We can lay our burdens before Him, knowing that he understands and cares deeply about our struggles.
• 5:26
  Daniel Moore: Through prayer, we experience the assurance that we are not alone in our circumstances.
• 5:32
  Daniel Moore: Recognizing God's presence in our lives encourages us to develop a consistent and ongoing prayer life.
• 5:40
  Daniel Moore: We understand that prayer is not merely a last resort or a desperate plea for help, but a constant line of communication with our Heavenly Father.
• 5:49
  Daniel Moore: We realize that prayer is a powerful tool that invites God to work in our lives, transforms our perspectives and aligns our will with His.
• 5:59
  Daniel Moore: If it is big enough to worry about, then it is big enough to pray about.
• 6:05
  Daniel Moore: If it's on your mind, then understand this it's also on God's heart.
• 6:11
  Daniel Moore: So what else can you do?
• 6:13
  Daniel Moore: We just need to get down and pray when negative thoughts begin to haunt and consume our minds, turning to prayer can be a powerful way to seek peace, clarity and guidance in our lives.
• 6:24
  Daniel Moore: To prayer can be a powerful way to seek peace, clarity and guidance in our lives.
• 6:26
  Daniel Moore: There's a few examples of negative thoughts that people commonly experience in everyday life, and here's a few of those.
• 6:32
  Daniel Moore: Maybe you have thought such thoughts as I'm not good enough, or I'll never succeed, or I always mess things up.
• 6:50
  Daniel Moore: You know those kinds of thoughts can weigh heavily on our self-esteem and destroy our confidence.
• 6:53
  Daniel Moore: Maybe you're worrying about the future, dwelling on worst-case scenarios or feeling overwhelmed by the demands of life, and it's leading you to a constant state of anxiety.
• 7:00
  Daniel Moore: Maybe you have thoughts like I'm afraid of failing, or maybe thoughts like I'm not safe or something bad is going to happen.
• 7:09
  Daniel Moore: Thoughts like this can provoke fear and they can also hinder us from moving forward.
• 7:16
  Daniel Moore: Comparing ourselves to others by thinking that I'm not as successful as they are or I wish I looked like them or everyone is doing better than me can breed discontentment and dissatisfaction with our own lives.
• 7:30
  Daniel Moore: You know, maybe you guys are having thoughts of past mistakes, dwelling on regrets and feelings of guilt or shame.
• 7:37
  Daniel Moore: They can consume your thoughts and they can prevent us all the time from experiencing freedom and forgiveness, and they can prevent us all the time from experiencing freedom and forgiveness.
• 7:45
  Daniel Moore: Negativity and pessimism will destroy you by constantly focusing on the negative aspects of situations, always expecting the worst or having a pessimistic outlook on life, and it can cloud our minds with negativity.
• 8:01
  Daniel Moore: Or maybe it's loneliness, you know, maybe you're having thoughts like I am alone or nobody understands me or I don't have anyone to rely on, and those thoughts they can create a sense of isolation and they can create sadness.
• 8:17
  Daniel Moore: In moments when these negative thoughts arise, turning to prayer can help shift our focus and invite God's presence and guidance into our lives.
• 8:25
  Daniel Moore: Through prayer, we can surrender these negative thoughts to God, seeking His wisdom, his peace, and he gives us reassurance of His unconditional love and grace.
• 8:38
  Daniel Moore: Within prayer, we can ask for strength, clarity and a renewed perspective, allowing God to work in our hearts and minds to overcome these negative thoughts and replace them with His truth and hope.
• 8:48
  Daniel Moore: You know, in my time on the prayer team at my church, and looking back on other moments in my life, I've learned that a lot of people don't even know how to pray.
• 8:59
  Daniel Moore: I mean, I was even in that category at one point in my life, and I'm still not an expert.
• 9:04
  Daniel Moore: You know, a lot of times they think do I address God as my omnipotent creator?
• 9:09
  Daniel Moore: Or they may be thinking is praying in King James language mandatory?
• 9:17
  Daniel Moore: Or do I have to sign off with the whole in Jesus name part?
• 9:19
  Daniel Moore: You know, is that old fashioned word hearken?
• 9:21
  Daniel Moore: Is that required?
• 9:23
  Daniel Moore: Well, I hope not, because I'm not sure what the word hearken even means.
• 9:27
  Daniel Moore: I have to look that up in the dictionary.
• 9:29
  Daniel Moore: The answer to these, of course, is no.
• 9:32
  Daniel Moore: There is a biblical way of praying, though, and we're going to take a look at Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane In this powerful example found in Matthew 26, 36-44, jesus demonstrates a biblical model of prayer.
• 9:46
  Daniel Moore: He pours out his heart to God, expressing his anguish, fear and surrender.
• 9:52
  Daniel Moore: However, he also submits to God's will, saying not as I will, but as you will.
• 9:59
  Daniel Moore: This shows the importance of acknowledging God's sovereignty and aligning our desires with His divine plan in our prayers.
• 10:08
  Daniel Moore: In 1 Peter, 5, 6-7, peter encourages believers to humble themselves before God, casting all their anxiety on Him because he cares for them.
• 10:18
  Daniel Moore: This verse shows the significance of approaching God with humility, acknowledging His care and concern for our very well-being.
• 10:27
  Daniel Moore: It teaches us to bring our worries, our concerns and burdens before God, trusting in his love and that faithfulness that only he can provide with comfort and guidance.
• 10:40
  Daniel Moore: In Philippians 4, 6, paul advises believers to not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, we are to present a request to God.
• 10:52
  Daniel Moore: This verse emphasizes the importance of bringing our worries, our concerns and needs before God in prayer.
• 10:59
  Daniel Moore: It encourages us to be specific in our request, expressing our heartfelt petitions to Him.
• 11:05
  Daniel Moore: Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of a heart filled with gratitude, thanking God for His goodness, his faithfulness and the provision.
• 11:16
  Daniel Moore: Even before we see those answers come to our prayers.
• 11:22
  Daniel Moore: The principle that we have to put into action in our life is to pray harder and longer.
• 11:26
  Daniel Moore: If we prepare our heart, god will help us prepare for everything that life or Satan may try to throw at us.
• 11:33
  Daniel Moore: If we live out this strategy, we will find that we are less anxious and that we have more assurance through Christ.
• 11:41
  Daniel Moore: Prayer will remove panic and replace it with peace.
• 11:44
  Daniel Moore: Prayer works.
• 11:47
  Daniel Moore: Prayer absolutely changes things.
• 11:51
  Daniel Moore: Perhaps even more important is that prayer changes you.
• 11:55
  Daniel Moore: Prayer also will change your brain.
• 12:00
  Daniel Moore: Decades ago, neurologists believed that the brain's structure and function remained relatively fixed after adolescence.
• 12:07
  Daniel Moore: This concept, known as the static brain, suggested that the brain's neural connections and circuits were established during childhood and remain unchanged through adulthood.
• 12:18
  Daniel Moore: However, scientific advancements and research have shown that this belief is not true.
• 12:24
  Daniel Moore: Scientific advancements and research have shown that this belief is not true.
• 12:27
  Daniel Moore: Our understanding of the brain has evolved and we now know that the brain is highly adaptable and has the ability to change, which is a phenomenon that they call neuroplasticity.
• 12:35
  Daniel Moore: Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to reorganize its neural pathways, establish new connections and adapt its structure and function in response to learning, experience and environmental factors.
• 12:49
  Daniel Moore: It is a constantly ongoing process throughout our lives.
• 12:54
  Daniel Moore: Neuroplasticity occurs at several levels within the brain.
• 12:57
  Daniel Moore: First, there is structural plasticity.
• 13:01
  Daniel Moore: This involves physical changes in the brain structure.
• 13:05
  Daniel Moore: It encompasses the growth of new neurons or neurogenesis, that's, the formation of new synapses, which is synaptogenesis, and rewiring or strengthening of existing connections, which is dendritic branching.
• 13:20
  Daniel Moore: These structural changes can occur in response to learning, acquiring new skills, recovering from brain injuries or adapting to changes in the environment.
• 13:31
  Daniel Moore: Then there is functional plasticity.
• 13:34
  Daniel Moore: This refers to the brain's ability to shift functions from damaged areas to undamaged regions.
• 13:41
  Daniel Moore: If certain brain areas are injured or impaired, other healthy regions can take over and compensate for those lost functions.
• 13:49
  Daniel Moore: This process allows individuals to recover and regain lost abilities through rehabilitation or training.
• 13:55
  Daniel Moore: And finally, there's synaptic plasticity.
• 13:59
  Daniel Moore: Synapses, or the connection between neurons, play a crucial role in information transfer within the brain.
• 14:07
  Daniel Moore: Synaptic plasticity involves the strengthening or weakening of these connections, based on the activity and effectiveness of neuropathways.
• 14:16
  Daniel Moore: This process is influenced by factors such as repeated use of certain pathways, learning and the release of neurotransmitters that facilitate or inhibit synaptic transmission.
• 14:29
  Daniel Moore: Neuroplasticity is driven by various factors, including learning and practice, environmental enrichment physical exercise has an effect on it emotional experiences and even changes in thought patterns and behaviors by engaging in activities that challenge and stimulate the brain, such as solving puzzles or learning new skills, or even engaging in physical exercise, we can promote neuroplasticity and enhance our brain's adaptability.
• 14:56
  Daniel Moore: The discovery of neuroplasticity has significant implications for neuroscience, psychology and rehabilitation.
• 15:04
  Daniel Moore: It highlights the brain's incredible capacity for growth and change, offering hope for individuals recovering from brain injuries or dealing with neurological disorders.
• 15:14
  Daniel Moore: It also emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, mental stimulation and healthy lifestyle habits to support brain health and cognitive function.
• 15:25
  Daniel Moore: So what does that all mean?
• 15:28
  Daniel Moore: Besides the fact it's a bunch of big, long words that we can barely pronounce, I really don't know, except that your brain is changing and prayer changes your brain.
• 15:40
  Daniel Moore: Dr Andrew Newberg, a neuroscientist and researcher, has conducted studies focusing on the effects of prayer on the brain.
• 15:47
  Daniel Moore: In his book how God Changes your Brain, he explores the relationship between spiritual practices, brain activity and our overall well-being within prayer.
• 15:57
  Daniel Moore: His research suggests that engaging in prayer can have a measurable impact on the brain's chemistry and functioning.
• 16:04
  Daniel Moore: Engaging in prayer can have a measurable impact on the brain's chemistry and functioning.
• 16:06
  Daniel Moore: According to Dr Newberg's studies, prayer is akin to a physical workout for the brain.
• 16:10
  Daniel Moore: When individuals engage in prayer, certain brain regions associated with the tension and focus are activated.
• 16:20
  Daniel Moore: At the same time, activity in the agamagdala, which is related to fear and anxiety, decreases.
• 16:24
  Daniel Moore: This also helps to reduce stress and promote a sense of calm and peace.
• 16:28
  Daniel Moore: Furthermore, dr Carolyn Leaf, in her book Switch on your Brain, discusses the concept of neuroplasticity and how focused prayer can lead to significant changes in the brain.
• 16:40
  Daniel Moore: She suggests that engaging in only 12 minutes of focused prayer daily over an eight-week period can produce measurable changes that can be observed on a brain scan.
• 16:52
  Daniel Moore: Dr Leaf's research aligns with the broader understanding of neuroplasticity, which highlights the brain's ability to rewire and reshape itself in response to various experiences.
• 17:02
  Daniel Moore: Thoughts and behaviors shape itself in response to various experiences, thoughts and behaviors.
• 17:05
  Daniel Moore: By consistently focusing on prayer over time, individuals can reinforce neural pathways related to faith, gratitude and a sense of connection with God.
• 17:16
  Daniel Moore: Your life is always moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts.
• 17:20
  Daniel Moore: Worrying and toxic thinking will change your brain and will move your life in a direction that you really don't want to go.
• 17:28
  Daniel Moore: Prayer moves your life in a positive direction.
• 17:32
  Daniel Moore: We have to flip our thought process.
• 17:35
  Daniel Moore: When we are trying to do things for God or spending our times in prayer or Bible reading, we may get the thought but I really don't want to do this tonight.
• 17:46
  Daniel Moore: How many of you guys have been in that position?
• 17:48
  Daniel Moore: I know that I have many times.
• 17:50
  Daniel Moore: That's very common for that to happen because Satan and his forces, they, don't want us to retrain our brain, to want to pray, or even to study scripture.
• 17:59
  Daniel Moore: We have to remember, though, that we have to remember, though, that we have to push through those times and praise or rejoice anyway.
• 18:07
  Daniel Moore: We're going to take a break here for a moment and let our brain rest for a few minutes here from all of those long words and definitions that we just went through there.
• 18:18
  Daniel Moore: We're going to be back here in a little bit, and in second half of this week's podcast, we're going to take a look at Paul.
• 18:23
  Daniel Moore: We'll be back right after this.
• 18:40
  chataboutjesus.com: Have you ever been falsely accused, your reputation tainted, your good name besmirched, blamed for something you just didn't do?
• 18:49
  chataboutjesus.com: It leaves us shaken, angry and frustrated.
• 18:52
  chataboutjesus.com: We know we're being unfairly judged and don't deserve this treatment.
• 18:56
  chataboutjesus.com: Jesus knows all about that.
• 18:59
  chataboutjesus.com: When he went to the cross, he was dying for sins he had never committed.
• 19:04
  chataboutjesus.com: When he went to the cross, he was dying for sins he had never committed.
• 19:06
  chataboutjesus.com: The Bible says he never sinned, but God laid on him the iniquities or the sins of us all.
• 19:11
  chataboutjesus.com: Jesus died for the sins he didn't commit, so that you and I could be forgiven for our sins.
• 19:18
  chataboutjesus.com: Jesus needed to do this if we're to be able to be forgiven, as we have no other way of paying that price for ourselves.
• 19:24
  chataboutjesus.com: If you'd like to know how you can begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I invite you to call or text us at 888-NEED-HIM.
• 19:34
  chataboutjesus.com: That's 888-NEED-HIM.
• 19:57
  Daniel Moore: Welcome back to this week's episode of Connecting the Gap.
• 20:00
  Daniel Moore: I'm Daniel Moore, your host, and we are in part 15 of our extensive study on spiritual warfare the battle within overcoming the invisible war and this week we've been talking about neuroplasticity how our brain does change with the activities that we do, and that includes when we have our prayer time.
• 20:19
  Daniel Moore: If we pray and read our Bible, it's actually visible on brain scans.
• 20:24
  Daniel Moore: It is that consistent with the way that God created us.
• 20:28
  Daniel Moore: And, as I mentioned here before we left the first half there for that little bit of a break in the second half, let's take a look at Paul In Philippians, chapter 4, it states this verse highlights Paul's unwavering commitment to find joy in the Lord at all times.
• 20:50
  Daniel Moore: It reveals his perspective of focusing on God's goodness rather than his external circumstances.
• 20:58
  Daniel Moore: Acts 16, verse 22-25 narrates an incident where Paul and Silas were unjustly beaten and thrown into prison.
• 21:06
  Daniel Moore: Despite this grievous trial, it is mentioned in verse 25 that about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the other prisoners were listening to them.
• 21:18
  Daniel Moore: This passage illustrates Paul's ability to praise God and find joy even in the midst of suffering and adversity.
• 21:26
  Daniel Moore: Through these two verses we can understand Paul's mindset and the reasons behind his ability to rejoice in difficult trials.
• 21:35
  Daniel Moore: First, paul recognized that his true source of joy was in the Lord.
• 21:40
  Daniel Moore: He understood that genuine and lasting joy comes from a relationship with God, not from external circumstances.
• 21:48
  Daniel Moore: Therefore, he intentionally focused his mind on God's goodness, god's faithfulness and his love, rather than dwelling on his current hardships.
• 21:58
  Daniel Moore: Paul sought to worship and to praise God.
• 22:01
  Daniel Moore: Additionally, paul's rejoicing was rooted in his unshakable trust in God's sovereignty and plan for his life.
• 22:09
  Daniel Moore: He understood that God was in control of every situation and that trials and sufferings were not meaningless but had a purpose.
• 22:17
  Daniel Moore: Paul's unwavering faith enabled him to see beyond his immediate circumstances and trust that God was working all things together for his good.
• 22:27
  Daniel Moore: Paul's rejoicing was not only a personal act, but also an impact on those around him.
• 22:33
  Daniel Moore: In Acts 16.25, it is mentioned that the other prisoners were listening to Paul and Silas as they prayed and sang hymns.
• 22:42
  Daniel Moore: Here, paul's unwavering faith and joyous attitude became a testimony to others, even in some of their most darkest moments.
• 22:50
  Daniel Moore: His praise and worship of God brought hope, encouragement and inspiration not only to his fellow believers, but also to those who were yet to know Christ.
• 23:02
  Daniel Moore: You know, I wonder if it is possible that you've been praying for God to show up for you in some way, thinking you'll be grateful and praise him when he does, while God is waiting for you to be grateful and praise him and he won't show up until you do as his word says.
• 23:20
  Daniel Moore: We must rejoice always.
• 23:22
  Daniel Moore: It's time for us to fix our thoughts on God, to give him praise for who he is, regardless of what he may or may not be doing.
• 23:30
  Daniel Moore: When we praise him, he will show up.
• 23:33
  Daniel Moore: If we change our thoughts, we change our lives.
• 23:36
  Daniel Moore: You know, craig Groeschel shared a story one time that kind of goes along with this topic.
• 23:42
  Daniel Moore: He said I have a confession to make.
• 23:44
  Daniel Moore: Well, actually he had two confessions to make.
• 23:47
  Daniel Moore: First, craig says I thought you were lying.
• 23:51
  Daniel Moore: Actually, I thought every single person on planet Earth was lying.
• 23:55
  Daniel Moore: Lying about what you ask?
• 23:57
  Daniel Moore: Well, the magic eye.
• 23:59
  Daniel Moore: Magic eye is the picture with little dots all over it that looks like nothing but a mix of colors.
• 24:05
  Daniel Moore: Yet some people, or actually many people, claim that if you look at it in the right way, then a 3D image will pop out.
• 24:13
  Daniel Moore: Suddenly, you're seeing a circus or horses or an eagle soaring through the sky.
• 24:19
  Daniel Moore: Well, craig said, I could never see the magic 3D image.
• 24:23
  Daniel Moore: So I thought everyone was lying.
• 24:25
  Daniel Moore: But his second real confession was he thinks he was a magic eye challenged.
• 24:31
  Daniel Moore: He accepted his inability as a cross that he would have to bear until one day when the stars aligned.
• 24:37
  Daniel Moore: On a family vacation he said he visited a wax museum which he wasn't really proud of.
• 24:43
  Daniel Moore: But amid all the wax statues there was, yep, a magic eye picture.
• 24:48
  Daniel Moore: So Craig decided that he had come to the museum for such a time as this.
• 24:53
  Daniel Moore: He was not going to leave until he saw something in 3D.
• 24:57
  Daniel Moore: He would die in that stupid museum if he had to.
• 25:01
  Daniel Moore: Craig said I needed a magic eye guide to lead me into the promised land.
• 25:05
  Daniel Moore: So I asked a teenager who worked there to help me.
• 25:09
  Daniel Moore: So he began to instruct Craig in a Bill and Ted kind of way.
• 25:12
  Daniel Moore: He said bro, you just have to kind of look like.
• 25:15
  Daniel Moore: Well, squat down, like you know, like you're about ready to catch a ground ball.
• 25:18
  Daniel Moore: Well, craig played ball.
• 25:21
  Daniel Moore: So he got down into the ready position.
• 25:23
  Daniel Moore: Then the kid told Craig Okay, bro, now don't look at it, you look through it.
• 25:31
  Daniel Moore: Well, craig was confused.
• 25:32
  Daniel Moore: How in the world do you look through it?
• 25:34
  Daniel Moore: Well, somewhat impatiently, the kid encouraged Craig you know, look through it, like not at it, like beyond it, look beyond, just look through.
• 25:44
  Daniel Moore: Well, craig says he looked through it.
• 25:44
  Daniel Moore: Like not at it, like beyond it, look beyond, just look through.
• 25:46
  Daniel Moore: Well, craig says he looked through it and he kept looking through it and he looked through it so long he thought he finally got drunk.
• 25:55
  Daniel Moore: He wasn't sure if he was technically really drunk, looking through a magic eye picture, but that's what happened to him.
• 26:02
  Daniel Moore: He said he was squatting ready to catch a ground ball, looking not at but through, like beyond.
• 26:08
  Daniel Moore: When it happened, three-dimensional dolphins jumped off that picture.
• 26:13
  Daniel Moore: Craig said he was so excited he threw up his hands in victory.
• 26:16
  Daniel Moore: He once was lost but now he was found.
• 26:19
  Daniel Moore: He was blind but now he could seed dolphins.
• 26:23
  Daniel Moore: Well, when craig threw his hands up in the air, he lost it.
• 26:27
  Daniel Moore: He lost the dolphins and he never saw them again.
• 26:31
  Daniel Moore: But there is no denying that what happened between him and that kid and that picture was real.
• 26:37
  Daniel Moore: He felt it, the dolphins felt it.
• 26:40
  Daniel Moore: He said my bro guide felt it.
• 26:42
  Daniel Moore: We may never meet again but we'll always have that wax museum.
• 26:47
  Daniel Moore: Craig said if you're a magic eye impaired like me, but want to have a dreamy rendezvous with some friendly sea creatures.
• 26:53
  Daniel Moore: He said let me be your guide.
• 26:55
  Daniel Moore: Look through or beyond there is no look at.
• 26:59
  Daniel Moore: He said developing magic eyes is all about perspective.
• 27:03
  Daniel Moore: Craig said when we practice God's presence, always mindful that he is near, we will pray.
• 27:10
  Daniel Moore: And when we pray, that leads us to praise.
• 27:13
  Daniel Moore: Praising God is all about perspective.
• 27:16
  Daniel Moore: A change of perspective leads us to praise God and praising God changes our perspective.
• 27:22
  Daniel Moore: Craig continued.
• 27:24
  Daniel Moore: The fourth tool that he's learned that has powerfully impacted his thinking in his life was the rejoice principle.
• 27:31
  Daniel Moore: Revive your soul, reclaim your life.
• 27:35
  Daniel Moore: Craig said I stay mindful of God's presence and I praise him.
• 27:39
  Daniel Moore: He said when I've had enough, I pray, putting my concerns in God's box.
• 27:44
  Daniel Moore: Craig said I praise God for the who, not the what, even when I don't want to.
• 27:50
  Daniel Moore: And Craig said when he thought like that, he had a sense that his perspective was changing.
• 27:57
  Daniel Moore: You know we talk about that.
• 28:00
  Daniel Moore: It brings up here the rejoice principle.
• 28:02
  Daniel Moore: We should now be able to see our perspective changing.
• 28:07
  Daniel Moore: In Philippians, chapter 1, verses 18 through 21,.
• 28:10
  Daniel Moore: Paul reveals his perspective.
• 28:12
  Daniel Moore: In response to his undesired circumstances, he says but what does it matter?
• 28:17
  Daniel Moore: The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true Christ is preached, and because of this I rejoice.
• 28:26
  Daniel Moore: Yes, I will continue to rejoice, for I know that, through your prayers and God's provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
• 28:36
  Daniel Moore: I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that, now as always, christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
• 28:47
  Daniel Moore: For me to live as Christ and to die as gain.
• 28:51
  Daniel Moore: That's a huge statement.
• 28:54
  Daniel Moore: In these verses, paul's focus and perspective shift from his personal desires and circumstances to the greater purpose of proclaiming Christ.
• 29:02
  Daniel Moore: Although Paul desired to be in Rome preaching and not in a prison cell, he recognized that his current situation provided an opportunity for the gospel to be further spread.
• 29:14
  Daniel Moore: He did not allow his circumstances to hinder his ministry or dampen his spirit, but instead rejoiced in the fact that Christ was being preached regardless of his own limitations.
• 29:24
  Daniel Moore: Instead, rejoiced in the fact that Christ was being preached regardless of his own limitations Paul's ability to rejoice and maintain a positive perspective in the midst of challenging circumstances.
• 29:31
  Daniel Moore: That stemmed from his deep understanding and acceptance of God's sovereignty and God's providence.
• 29:37
  Daniel Moore: He trusted that God would use whatever situation he found himself in for his deliverance and for the advancement of the gospel.
• 29:52
  Daniel Moore: Additionally, in Philippians 4, 4-7, paul emphasizes the importance of rejoicing in the Lord always.
• 29:55
  Daniel Moore: He says Rejoice in the Lord always.
• 29:56
  Daniel Moore: I will say it again rejoice, Let your gentleness be evident to all.
• 29:59
  Daniel Moore: The Lord is near.
• 30:01
  Daniel Moore: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
• 30:16
  Daniel Moore: Here in these verses, paul's instruction to rejoice in the Lord is not based on external circumstances, but has a constant attitude of the heart.
• 30:26
  Daniel Moore: He encourages believers to bring their anxieties and requests before God through prayer and with thanksgiving.
• 30:32
  Daniel Moore: By doing so, they can experience the peace of God that surpasses understanding, even in the midst of difficult situations.
• 30:41
  Daniel Moore: From these passages, we see that Paul's ability to change his perspective from complaining to praising God was rooted in his unwavering trust in God's sovereign plan and his focus on the greater purpose of proclaiming Christ and his willingness to rejoice in the Lord always.
• 30:58
  Daniel Moore: By shifting his focus and trusting in God's faithfulness, paul was able to maintain a positive outlook and find joy, even in less than ideal circumstances.
• 31:10
  Daniel Moore: You know, I don't know what problems you may be staring at right now.
• 31:13
  Daniel Moore: You might have a big one, a complicated one, it might even be an annoying problem and I'm not trying to minimize your issue, because I know they are real.
• 31:23
  Daniel Moore: I've had them myself and I go through them all the time.
• 31:26
  Daniel Moore: But don't forget to look through.
• 31:29
  Daniel Moore: Look at the whole picture.
• 31:31
  Daniel Moore: Do you have family, friends, a church, your health, a home, food in the fridge, some money in the bank or, above all, your faith?
• 31:41
  Daniel Moore: Don't just look at what's wrong.
• 31:44
  Daniel Moore: Look at what's right.
• 31:45
  Daniel Moore: Maybe take a moment to write down all the good things, literally count your blessings and thank God for them.
• 31:54
  Daniel Moore: A change of perspective leads us to praise God, and praising God changes our perspective.
• 32:00
  Daniel Moore: We often see this in Psalms.
• 32:03
  Daniel Moore: The psalmist might begin by recounting what's wrong in his life.
• 32:07
  Daniel Moore: You know enemies are attacking he, is feeling rejected by by god.
• 32:11
  Daniel Moore: He's being falsely accused.
• 32:13
  Daniel Moore: You know he probably has spotty self-uncoverage.
• 32:16
  Daniel Moore: If we dig into it deep enough, then he commands himself.
• 32:20
  Daniel Moore: You know what?
• 32:21
  Daniel Moore: I'm gonna praise god anyway.
• 32:24
  Daniel Moore: In psalm 42, 5, it says why, my soul, are you downcast?
• 32:28
  Daniel Moore: Why so disturbed within me?
• 32:30
  Daniel Moore: Put your hope in god, for I will yet praise him, my savior and my god.
• 32:34
  Daniel Moore: This verse shows a change of perspective.
• 32:37
  Daniel Moore: The psalmist acknowledges his current state of distress and discouragement, but he chooses to redirect his focus towards God and put his hope in Him.
• 32:47
  Daniel Moore: By recognizing the presence of God as the ultimate source of comfort and salvation, the psalmist's perspective shifts, leading him to praise God.
• 32:57
  Daniel Moore: In Psalm 103, 1-2, it says Praise the Lord, my soul, all in my inmost being.
• 33:03
  Daniel Moore: Praise His holy name.
• 33:04
  Daniel Moore: Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all of His benefits.
• 33:08
  Daniel Moore: Here the psalmist urges his soul to praise God with all its being, emphasizing the importance of remembering God's numerous blessings and the benefits that he's given.
• 33:17
  Daniel Moore: By intentionally shifting the focus towards God's goodness and faithfulness, the perspective changes from dwelling on personal troubles to recognizing and praising God for his abundant blessings.
• 33:30
  Daniel Moore: In Psalm 146, 1-2, it says Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul.
• 33:36
  Daniel Moore: I will praise the Lord all my life.
• 33:38
  Daniel Moore: I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
• 33:41
  Daniel Moore: This psalm here is a declaration of the psalmist's intention to praise God continually and for the entirety of their life.
• 33:49
  Daniel Moore: By choosing a posture of constant praise, the perspective is shifted towards an attitude of gratitude and awe towards God's enduring presence and God's faithfulness.
• 34:02
  Daniel Moore: In Psalm 42, 8, it says by day the Lord directs His love.
• 34:06
  Daniel Moore: At night His song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.
• 34:10
  Daniel Moore: In this verse, the psalmist acknowledges how God's love and song are always present, regardless of the circumstances.
• 34:18
  Daniel Moore: This change in perspective enables the psalmist to view each day as an opportunity to experience God's love and to worship Him in prayer and song.
• 34:27
  Daniel Moore: And finally, in Psalm 103, 19 through 22, it says the Lord has established his throne in heaven and his kingdom rules over all.
• 34:37
  Daniel Moore: Praise the Lord, you, his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
• 34:43
  Daniel Moore: Praise the Lord all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.
• 34:48
  Daniel Moore: Praise the Lord.
• 34:50
  Daniel Moore: All his works are everywhere in his dominion.
• 34:52
  Daniel Moore: Praise the Lord, my soul.
• 34:55
  Daniel Moore: These verses remind us of God's sovereignty and universal authority.
• 35:01
  Daniel Moore: When we shift our perspective to recognize God's reign over all creation, including angelic beings in the entire universe, it leads to offering wholehearted praise to God.
• 35:11
  Daniel Moore: All these scriptures in the Psalms demonstrate that when we consciously change our perspective from focusing on our own circumstances to acknowledging God's goodness, his faithfulness and sovereignty, it leads to praising Him.
• 35:25
  Daniel Moore: Conversely, by praising God, our perspective is transformed, allowing us to see beyond our immediate troubles and recognize His presence, love and provision in our lives.
• 35:36
  Daniel Moore: Thus, a change of perspective leads to praising God and praising God in turn changes our perspective.
• 35:43
  Daniel Moore: Praise, like prayer, affects the agamagdala, diminishing the fight-or-flight mechanism.
• 35:51
  Daniel Moore: The agamagdala diminishing the fight-or-flight mechanism.
• 35:55
  Daniel Moore: Worshiping God has even been shown to decrease heart rate, blood pressure, blood glucose levels and serum markers of inflammation.
• 35:59
  Daniel Moore: Remember Dr Newberg, that brain scientist that we were talking about earlier.
• 36:04
  Daniel Moore: He has proven that praising and worshiping God leads to quantifiable changes in brain volume and metabolism.
• 36:11
  Daniel Moore: Being God leads to quantifiable changes in brain volume and metabolism, especially in a part of the brain called the cingulate vortex.
• 36:16
  Daniel Moore: It turns out an increase in the volume of the cingulate vortex results in increased capacity for compassionate thinking and feeling.
• 36:23
  Daniel Moore: So, basically, the more the cingulate grows, the more empathetic you become.
• 36:29
  Daniel Moore: You will feel more compassion for struggling people.
• 36:33
  Daniel Moore: Praise will change your perspective.
• 36:37
  Daniel Moore: Please remember that your mind is under attack.
• 36:40
  Daniel Moore: Don't drop your guard.
• 36:41
  Daniel Moore: You must be alert and vigilant.
• 36:44
  Daniel Moore: In 1 Peter 5, 8 it says Be alert and of sober mind.
• 36:48
  Daniel Moore: Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to be vigilant and aware of the spiritual battle that we face.
• 37:00
  Daniel Moore: The devil seeks to undermine our faith and tempt us towards sinful actions or thoughts.
• 37:06
  Daniel Moore: By staying alert and having a sober mind, we can guard against his schemes and remain steadfast in our faith.
• 37:14
  Daniel Moore: In Philippians 4, 6-7, it says Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
• 37:29
  Daniel Moore: Here, the focus is on surrendering our worries and anxieties to God through prayer, by seeking God's intervention and pouring out our concerns to Him with an attitude of gratitude.
• 37:40
  Daniel Moore: His peace is promised to guard our hearts and minds.
• 37:43
  Daniel Moore: This peace acts as a protective shield, preventing anxious thoughts and distractions from compromising our spiritual guard.
• 37:50
  Daniel Moore: Then we have Ephesians 6, 10-18.
• 37:55
  Daniel Moore: This passage describes the spiritual armor that we've been discussing, that believers should don to withstand the schemes of the enemy.
• 38:01
  Daniel Moore: It encourages us to stand firm, gird ourselves with truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, take up the shield of faith, wear the helmet of salvation, wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and remain prayerful in the Spirit.
• 38:16
  Daniel Moore: In James 4, 7, it says Submit yourselves then to God.
• 38:21
  Daniel Moore: Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
• 38:24
  Daniel Moore: By submitting to God and resisting the devil's temptations, we can maintain our guard and protect ourselves from falling into sin.
• 38:31
  Daniel Moore: We can maintain our guard and protect ourselves from falling into sin In 2 Corinthians 10, 3-5,.
• 38:39
  Daniel Moore: This passage speaks about the spiritual weapons at our disposal for tearing down strongholds and capturing thoughts that are contrary to God's truth.
• 38:43
  Daniel Moore: By actively engaging our minds and meditating on God's word and capturing every thought to the obedience of Christ, we can effectively guard against deceptive influences.
• 38:54
  Daniel Moore: Just remember we are not in this battle alone.
• 38:59
  Daniel Moore: God helps us, not drop our guard.
• 39:02
  Daniel Moore: He provides various means of support.
• 39:05
  Daniel Moore: He gives us the Holy Spirit, which guides and empowers us to discern truth from deception and grants us the strength to resist temptation.
• 39:14
  Daniel Moore: You can read about that in John 14, 26 and Galatians 5, 16.
• 39:18
  Daniel Moore: He gives us God's word, which serves as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, guiding us in righteousness and keeping us steady.
• 39:27
  Daniel Moore: That's Psalm 119, verse 105.
• 39:30
  Daniel Moore: God's faithfulness and promise is to never leave or forsake us.
• 39:34
  Daniel Moore: It provides confidence and assurance in times of spiritual warfare.
• 39:38
  Daniel Moore: You can read about that in Deuteronomy 31, verse 6, and Hebrews 13, verse 5.
• 39:44
  Daniel Moore: The body of believers, the church.
• 39:47
  Daniel Moore: They provide support, encouragement and accountability in our spiritual journey.
• 39:51
  Daniel Moore: That's in Hebrews 10, verses 24 to 25.
• 39:56
  Daniel Moore: Peace guards your heart and mind.
• 39:58
  Daniel Moore: Peace is preceded by prayer and praise.
• 40:01
  Daniel Moore: In a fight, you need to keep both hands up to protect yourselves.
• 40:06
  Daniel Moore: Think of one hand as prayer and the other as praise.
• 40:10
  Daniel Moore: We need to keep both hands raised.
• 40:14
  Daniel Moore: The devil's target is your mind.
• 40:16
  Daniel Moore: His weapon is his lies.
• 40:19
  Daniel Moore: He will never stop trying to deceive you.
• 40:21
  Daniel Moore: There are lies that he has been telling you your entire life.
• 40:25
  Daniel Moore: Right now, he is seeking out opportunities to tell you new lies.
• 40:29
  Daniel Moore: He is probably taking swings at you right now, as you are listening to this episode, and he will continue to take swings for the next days, months and years.
• 40:39
  Daniel Moore: So what do we do?
• 40:41
  Daniel Moore: We keep our guard up.
• 40:44
  Daniel Moore: We go to God with prayer and we go to God with praise, surrender and victory.
• 40:52
  Daniel Moore: Well, that's going to wrap it up for this week, for this episode of Connecting the Gap.
• 40:56
  Daniel Moore: This is part 15 of the battle within overcoming the invisible war.
• 41:00
  Daniel Moore: Remember that in our battle against Satan, he wants to depress us, he wants to give us anxiety, he wants to take away our peace and he wants to take away that feeling that we have that sure foundation in Christ and that nothing is going to work out for us and our foundation is going to crumble beneath us.
• 41:16
  Daniel Moore: But if we keep our hands up towards the sky, praying to Christ, praying to God, asking him to help us in these battles, in these times that we feel like we are being defeated, through prayer and praise we can defeat anything.
• 41:32
  Daniel Moore: That's when God moves.
• 41:34
  Daniel Moore: He moves with the prayers of his people.
• 41:37
  Daniel Moore: My word for you this week is to stay strong, stay on your knees and fight from that position.
• 41:44
  Daniel Moore: In that way, you cannot be defeated.
• 41:47
  Daniel Moore: I'm out of here for this week.
• 41:49
  Daniel Moore: Next week we'll continue this study as we're slowly wrapping this up.
• 41:54
  Daniel Moore: We've just got a few episodes left in this series.
• 41:57
  Daniel Moore: Hope you've been enjoying it.
• 41:58
  Daniel Moore: The transcripts for today is on my website at connectingthegapnet, as well as the transcripts for the rest of the episodes in this series.
• 42:05
  Daniel Moore: I'm out of here for now, until next week.
• 42:08
  Daniel Moore: Don't forget that God's word never fails us.
• 42:10
  Daniel Moore: God's word has stood the test of time and through Jesus' death on the cross, he has connected the gap.
• 42:16
  Daniel Moore: You've been listening to Connecting the Gap podcast.
• 42:19
  Daniel Moore: I'm Daniel Moore, the host for this podcast, and I personally thank you for listening each week.
• 42:23
  Daniel Moore: In this world, there are many disconnects that cause chaos in our lives.
• 42:27
  Daniel Moore: This podcast is birthed from the desire to share hope and restoration of the power of the gospel by being transparent and open in our biblical walk with God.
• 42:36
  Daniel Moore: Each week, we take a few moments as we navigate God's Word and peer into other people's testimonies and encourage each other to connect the gap.
• 42:43
  Daniel Moore: We upload a new audio podcast every Thursday and a video version of it on YouTube and Rumble.
• 42:48
  Daniel Moore: We are also on the Christian podcasting app Edify.
• 42:51
  Daniel Moore: You can subscribe to our podcast on many of the available podcasting platforms, such as Apple Podcasts, deezer, spotify, amazon Music, iheart Radio, tunein Radio and many more.
• 43:03
  Daniel Moore: We are also available on your Alexa enabled devices.
• 43:06
  Daniel Moore: If you would like to give us feedback or would like to contact our ministry for any reason, including prayer, visit our contact page at wwwconnectingthegapnet and send us a message.
• 43:16
  Daniel Moore: We hope you are blessed by this ministry.
• 43:18
  Daniel Moore: This is a production of Connecting the Gap Ministries.