Latest / Marriage Life and More and Bible Study / Unqualified - Love You Later, Pt 4 - 185

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Unqualified - Love You Later, Pt 4 - 185 · Marriage Life and More and Bible Study

0:12
Daniel Moore: The problem with striving to keep it real is that reality itself is messy, chaotic and flawed.
0:17
Daniel Moore: Both you and I, as the real versions of ourselves, have imperfections and shortcomings.
0:22
Daniel Moore: It is precisely because of these flaws that we tend to prefer imaginary versions of ourselves have imperfections and shortcomings.
0:25
Daniel Moore: It is precisely because of these flaws that we tend to prefer imaginary versions of ourselves and construct facades or personas.
0:30
Daniel Moore: Criticism becomes bothersome because it forces us to confront the fact that our flaws are still visible, despite our attempts to hide them.
0:39
Daniel Moore: This week, on Connecting the Gap, we're continuing our study on Unqualified.
0:45
Daniel Moore: And this week we're continuing our study on unqualified.
0:48
Daniel Moore: And this week we're in part four.
0:49
Daniel Moore: We'll be back with that episode right after this.
1:32
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1:32
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1:34
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1:46
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1:49
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1:54
Daniel Moore: Welcome back to Connecting the Gap.
1:57
Daniel Moore: I'm Daniel Moore, your host.
1:58
Daniel Moore: Thank you all for joining us this week.
2:00
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2:12
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2:17
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2:29
Daniel Moore: We'd eternally grateful for you for doing that for us, as that helps our algorithms and helps our podcast and our ministry to grow here at Connecting the Gap.
2:39
Daniel Moore: Well, as I said, this week we are in part four of our series that we have started here over the last few weeks, called Unqualified Hope.
2:49
Daniel Moore: You guys have enjoyed it so far, and this week, as we get into part four, this episode is entitled Love you Later.
3:08
Daniel Moore: Now, anyone that knows me knows that I love music.
3:11
Daniel Moore: I always have.
3:12
Daniel Moore: I would not really like to say that I really enjoyed being in front of people on the stage sometimes when I perform music, but I'm sure that was probably part of it.
3:21
Daniel Moore: I'm sure if I took a good personality test I could probably diagnose all the reasons for that.
3:27
Daniel Moore: So I learned to play drums and with that it was only natural that I helped put together a band when I was a teenager, with another guitar phenom friend of mine that I went to church with.
3:37
Daniel Moore: We were ready to tour the world, win lots of Grammys and beat teenage heartthrobs.
3:43
Daniel Moore: Well, we never shared the stage with Toby Mac, but we did win several school talent show awards, which basically just gave us bragging rights.
3:55
Daniel Moore: One thing about our band was that when we started we were doing covers of bands like Petra.
3:59
Daniel Moore: We hadn't yet evolved enough to do our own stuff.
4:03
Daniel Moore: We would have people come to us and we'd ask them how we sounded.
4:06
Daniel Moore: They would always say man, that sounded awesome, you guys are great.
4:11
Daniel Moore: But you could always tell they were like but when you can do something original, show us what you really got.
4:18
Daniel Moore: They weren't talking about us just getting more into the spotlight.
4:22
Daniel Moore: They were referring to how we were basically just a cover band channeling Petra hits.
4:27
Daniel Moore: They all wanted to know when are we going to hear you, the real you?
4:35
Daniel Moore: Our lives that we live from day to day can be just like that.
4:38
Daniel Moore: We often spend a significant amount of time and energy trying to be like other people, due to various societal pressures and influences.
4:47
Daniel Moore: Society often emphasizes certain ideals and standards of success, beauty and acceptance, which leads us to believe that by emulating others who possess these qualities, we too can achieve happiness and fulfillment.
5:01
Daniel Moore: This desire to fit in and be accepted can be so overpowering that we suppress our true selves.
5:09
Daniel Moore: We fear judgment, criticism and rejection if we were to reveal our authentic thoughts, desires and talents to the world.
5:17
Daniel Moore: Consequently, we try to mold ourselves into someone else's image, adopting their interests, beliefs and behavior and ultimately neglecting our own uniqueness.
5:28
Daniel Moore: However, this constant effort to be someone that we are not prevents us from truly understanding and appreciating ourselves as the real you.
5:39
Daniel Moore: We become disconnected from our own thoughts, emotions and aspirations.
5:44
Daniel Moore: We become disconnected from our own thoughts, emotions and aspirations.
5:46
Daniel Moore: By prioritizing the perception of others over our own identity, we deny ourselves the opportunity to explore our genuine passions, talents and potential.
5:55
Daniel Moore: If we invested just half the energy and dedication into discovering who we truly are, we would likely uncover hidden talents, passions and opportunities that have remained buried beneath the surface.
6:09
Daniel Moore: By embracing our true selves, we open the door to personal growth, self-acceptance and genuine happiness.
6:17
Daniel Moore: Living a life in pursuit of someone else's identity leads to a sense of emptiness and unfulfillment.
6:24
Daniel Moore: We may achieve external success or admiration, but we will always fill a void within ourselves.
6:31
Daniel Moore: By contrast, embracing our authentic selves allows us to lead a life that aligns with our values, interests and our aspirations.
6:40
Daniel Moore: It enables us to seize opportunities that resonate with who we truly are, leading to a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment in our lives.
6:50
Daniel Moore: Sadly, many people go through life without fully uncovering their true selves.
6:56
Daniel Moore: Buried talents and lost opportunities become commonplace because we were too busy trying to be someone that we are not.
7:04
Daniel Moore: Commonplace because we were too busy trying to be someone that we are not.
7:08
Daniel Moore: The result is a life of unfulfilled potential, regrets and missed experiences.
7:17
Daniel Moore: In Matthew 25, jesus tells the parable of the talents to illustrate the importance of using and investing the gifts and abilities that God has given us.
7:21
Daniel Moore: In this story, a wealthy man goes on a journey and entrusts his possessions to three of his servants.
7:28
Daniel Moore: To the first servant, he gives five talents or a unit of currency.
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Daniel Moore: To the second servant, he gives two talents and to the third servant, he gives one talent.
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Daniel Moore: The servant who received five and two talents respectively go out and use their talents wisely, investing and multiplying them.
7:48
Daniel Moore: When the master returns, they present him with double the amount they were given.
7:54
Daniel Moore: The master commends and rewards these faithful servants, saying Well done, good and faithful servant.
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Daniel Moore: You have been faithful with a few things.
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Daniel Moore: I will put you in charge of many things.
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Daniel Moore: Come and share your master's happiness.
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Daniel Moore: However, the third servant, out of fear, buries his talent in the ground instead of putting it to use.
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Daniel Moore: When the master returns, the servant digs up the talent and hands it back to his master, explaining that he was afraid and did nothing with it.
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Daniel Moore: Back to his master, explaining that he was afraid and did nothing with it.
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Daniel Moore: The master, disappointed in the servant's lack of faith and action, takes the talent from him and gives it to the servant who had ten talents.
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Daniel Moore: This parable is a great example of how we may do the same thing in our own lives.
8:42
Daniel Moore: Fear often hinders us from embracing our true identities and utilizing the gifts and talents that God has bestowed upon us.
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Daniel Moore: We may doubt our abilities, fear judgment or failure and believe that we do not measure up to the expectations of others or God.
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Daniel Moore: Consequently, we hide our true selves, burying our talents and potential.
9:02
Daniel Moore: We refuse to step out of our comfort zones, unwilling to take risks and make mistakes.
9:08
Daniel Moore: We convince ourselves that it is responsible, humble and wise to remain stagnant and unassuming.
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Daniel Moore: Yet beneath it all, it is simply fear that holds us back.
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Daniel Moore: In doing so, we deny ourselves the opportunity to fulfill our God-given purpose and fully express the unique individuals that we were created to be.
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Daniel Moore: We miss out on making a positive impact in the world and living a life of true fulfillment.
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Daniel Moore: Just as the third servant faced the consequences of his fear and inaction, we too faced the repercussions of hiding our gifts and burying our identities.
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Daniel Moore: Ultimately, it is not enough to merely acknowledge our fears or claim humility.
9:51
Daniel Moore: God desires us to step out in faith and utilize the talents he has given us for his glory and the betterment of others, and don't cop out and say that this is just a personality thing either.
10:08
Daniel Moore: I'm not saying that you need to be more of an extrovert or put yourself out there and potentially make a fool out of yourself.
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Daniel Moore: What this is all about is to value yourself and who you are.
10:16
Daniel Moore: Try something new for a change and invest yourself in the world around you.
10:21
Daniel Moore: Everyone is waiting to hear you sing the real you, not the cover band you.
10:29
Daniel Moore: We will all mess up sometimes.
10:31
Daniel Moore: That's only natural, as we are human, and that's okay, just like being in a karaoke contest.
10:38
Daniel Moore: Sometimes the bloopers, botched lyrics and singing off-tune are some of the best parts.
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Daniel Moore: That's where we learn to make ourselves better and we grow.
10:48
Daniel Moore: So the question is again who are you and when are we going to hear the real you?
10:57
Daniel Moore: Fear is not the only factor that prevents us from being authentic.
11:00
Daniel Moore: There are various other reasons why we may choose to hide or downplay our weaknesses.
11:05
Daniel Moore: One of these reasons is the discomfort of admitting our faults, which can be attributed to elements such as embarrassment, pride, dignity or ego.
11:15
Daniel Moore: It is human nature to want to appear competent, strong and put together.
11:20
Daniel Moore: We fear that revealing our weaknesses or vulnerabilities may lead to judgment, rejection or a loss of respect from others.
11:28
Daniel Moore: This fear of being perceived as inadequate or flawed can drive us to put up a facade of strength and perfection, even if it means sacrificing our authenticity.
11:41
Daniel Moore: There is a phrase that a lot of people use keeping it real, and you know.
11:51
Daniel Moore: The phrase keeping it real has become a popular way for people to justify their words or actions, as if it grants them immunity from criticism or consequences.
11:56
Daniel Moore: However, using this phrase to cover up inappropriate or rude behavior does not make it acceptable or negate its impact.
12:03
Daniel Moore: Does not make it acceptable or negate its impact.
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Daniel Moore: In fact, it can even exacerbate this situation by disregarding the feelings and boundaries of others.
12:15
Daniel Moore: Authenticity should not be used as a shield for apathy or lack of empathy.
12:17
Daniel Moore: Sometimes people mistake being authentic for being blunt or insensitive, believing that speaking their minds without a filter is a sign of honesty.
12:27
Daniel Moore: However, true authenticity involves being genuine understanding and respectful of others, while all the time staying true to yourself.
12:35
Daniel Moore: To embrace authenticity, it is essential to recognize and accept our weaknesses and our imperfections.
12:43
Daniel Moore: It requires acknowledging that no one is perfect and that vulnerability is not a sign of weakness, but rather a display of courage and resilience.
12:52
Daniel Moore: By being authentic, we allow for more meaningful connections and relationships based on trust and mutual understanding.
13:02
Daniel Moore: God does not encourage us to settle for being less than our best or to keep it real in the sense of embracing our flaws and imperfections.
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Daniel Moore: Instead, he desires to reveal to us the truest version of ourselves, the person who longs to continuously grow and become more like Him.
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Daniel Moore: The problem that you'll have with striving to keep it real is that reality itself, both you and I as the real versions of ourselves, have imperfections and shortcomings.
13:34
Daniel Moore: It is precisely because of these flaws that we tend to prefer imaginary versions of ourselves and construct facades or personas.
13:42
Daniel Moore: Criticism becomes bothersome because it forces us to confront the fact that our flaws are still visible, despite our attempts to hide them.
13:52
Daniel Moore: To put it bluntly, many of us struggle with pride.
13:56
Daniel Moore: We may label it as perfectionism or a pursuit of excellence, but it ultimately stems from an unwillingness to fail or appear weak.
14:06
Daniel Moore: This pride hinders us from embracing our true selves, because our true selves are very far from being perfect.
14:13
Daniel Moore: However, god's intention is not for us to wallow in our imperfections or settle for a distorted version of ourselves.
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Daniel Moore: Instead, he invites us to acknowledge our flaws, seek His guidance in our lives and continually strive for personal growth and transformation.
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Daniel Moore: God knows that we are capable of becoming better versions of ourselves, as long as we are willing to humble ourselves and rely on His strength.
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Daniel Moore: In essence, god wants us to familiarize ourselves with the truest version of who we are imperfect beings who deeply desire to align their lives with His will.
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Daniel Moore: By embracing our flaws while seeking growth and transformation in our lives, we can move closer to who God designed us to be.
15:00
Daniel Moore: You know it's very hilarious how most job applications want you to write down your descriptive list of weaknesses.
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Daniel Moore: Everyone knows that you won't write down that I'm a thief or a liar, or even a chronic whiner, even if it is true thief or a liar, or even a chronic whiner, even if it is true.
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Daniel Moore: We write down things like workaholic, neat, freak and perfectionist.
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Daniel Moore: That is an awesome multitasker.
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Daniel Moore: They really should just ask the question for what it really is.
15:27
Daniel Moore: Would you humble brag on yourself for a moment?
15:28
Daniel Moore: You know, perfectionism may seem like an admirable quality to claim on a job application or even in our personal lives, but it's not a sustainable way of living.
15:38
Daniel Moore: When we have an intolerance towards our weaknesses and flaws, it becomes difficult to find contentment with our true selves.
15:45
Daniel Moore: At some point, it is essential to overcome our pride and acknowledge our deficiencies and dependencies.
15:52
Daniel Moore: In the Christian life, there is so much more at play than simply striving for self-perfection.
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Daniel Moore: We are not called to solely focus on perfecting ourselves, but to cultivate a deep and meaningful relationship with God.
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Daniel Moore: Perfectionism can hinder our progress and growth because it creates unrealistic expectations that can never be fully met.
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Daniel Moore: The truth is, perfection is impossible to attain, and it is precisely why Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross.
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Daniel Moore: He recognized our inherent weaknesses and imperfections and offered us grace and salvation.
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Daniel Moore: God's ultimate desire is for us to have a genuine relationship with Him, rather than obsessively pursuing an unattainable state of perfection.
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Daniel Moore: Believing that God is more concerned with our perfection rather than our relationship with Him, only breeds insecurity.
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Daniel Moore: It places an overwhelming burden on us to constantly strive for flawlessness, which is unachievable In reality.
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Daniel Moore: God loves us unconditionally, weaknesses and all, and desires a deep, intimate connection with us.
17:02
Daniel Moore: We're going to take a break here for a moment.
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Daniel Moore: When we come back, we will continue this week's episode Love you later and we'll be back right after this.
17:23
chataboutjesus.com: If you have kids, then you want the very best for them, and the same for your grandchildren.
17:28
chataboutjesus.com: We love them dearly, but we know that today they're growing up in a world that's very different than what we grew up experiencing.
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chataboutjesus.com: We're inundated with violence, promiscuous sex and poor moral character.
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chataboutjesus.com: Tv has become a bigger part of their lives, yet it allows more and more questionable content.
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chataboutjesus.com: Each year it's becoming harder for children to maintain some sense of innocence.
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chataboutjesus.com: So the question is whether there's anything you can pass on that's pure.
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chataboutjesus.com: The answer is yes, absolutely.
18:01
chataboutjesus.com: If Jesus walked away from the grave alive and he did then he's right there for your children today, and he still loves the little children of the world, including yours, If you'd like to introduce either yourself or your children to this living Jesus call Connecting the Gap.
18:44
Daniel Moore: I'm Daniel Moore, your host, and this week we are in part four of our series on feeling unqualified.
18:50
Daniel Moore: This week's episode love you later.
18:53
Daniel Moore: Well, let's have a pop quiz.
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Daniel Moore: Which of the following statements are true?
19:01
Daniel Moore: A God loves us because Jesus died for us or B Jesus died for us because God loves us?
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Daniel Moore: Well, that first statement does sound pretty spiritual.
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Daniel Moore: Jesus did redeem our mess.
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Daniel Moore: He died for our unrighteousness.
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Daniel Moore: Now God is free to love us.
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Daniel Moore: When he sees us, he sees Jesus and therefore he is pleased.
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Daniel Moore: That's why he can love and put up with us.
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Daniel Moore: Right?
19:27
Daniel Moore: No, that is very wrong.
19:31
Daniel Moore: John 3.16 states For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
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Daniel Moore: This verse beautifully illustrates the depth of God's love for us.
19:45
Daniel Moore: It reveals that God's love for humanity predates Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross.
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Daniel Moore: The verse makes it clear that God's love initiated the entire plan of salvation.
19:57
Daniel Moore: God's love for us began long before we even had the opportunity to do anything or before Jesus carried out his earthly ministry.
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Daniel Moore: God's love is not a response to our actions.
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Daniel Moore: Rather, it is a fundamental aspect of his nature.
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Daniel Moore: The essence of God is love, and you can read about that in 1 John 4, verse 8.
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Daniel Moore: The motivation for sending Jesus to die for our sins stem from God's inexhaustible love and mercy.
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Daniel Moore: God's love is not dependent on our worthiness or our ability to earn it.
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Daniel Moore: His love transcends our shortcomings and failures.
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Daniel Moore: It is vast, all-encompassing and unconditional.
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Daniel Moore: The answer, then, to this little pop quiz is B, but many of us live as if it were A, especially when it comes to our weaknesses and flaws.
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Daniel Moore: We think and talk and act like the only way God can love us is through Jesus.
20:58
Daniel Moore: We think good thing Jesus died for me, because otherwise there's no way God could tolerate me Well, from a judicial perspective, when God looks at us, he sees Jesus Through faith in Jesus.
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Daniel Moore: His sacrifice becomes our saving grace.
21:10
Daniel Moore: Through faith in Jesus, his sacrifice becomes our saving grace, covering our sins and reconciling us to God.
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Daniel Moore: This is the result of God's unchanging love and His desire for a restored relationship with us.
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Daniel Moore: From a relational viewpoint, god does not solely tolerate us or simply have a passive acceptance of our existence.
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Daniel Moore: He actively loves us, pursues us and embraces us.
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Daniel Moore: His love is not halfway or conditional, but wholehearted and persistent.
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Daniel Moore: He relentlessly seeks to commune with us, drawing us closer to him through his undeniable love.
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Daniel Moore: God's love is not based on our actions or achievements.
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Daniel Moore: It flows from His very nature and existed before we even had the chance to respond.
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Daniel Moore: It is through this immeasurable love that he offered the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, so that we may have eternal life through faith in Him.
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Daniel Moore: It is unfortunate that sometimes we struggle to fully grasp and live in the reality of God's unconditional love for us.
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Daniel Moore: There may be moments when we perceive God as constantly on the verge of losing His temper with us and only refrains from punishing us because of seeing us through Jesus' lens.
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Daniel Moore: However, it is important to remember that God's love does not operate on a temporary or conditional basis.
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Daniel Moore: His love is not merely a momentary respite from punishment.
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Daniel Moore: God's love is everlasting and unchanging.
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Daniel Moore: He loves us deeply and completely, not because he sees us through a Jesus lens, but because His nature is love, as in 1 John 4.8.
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Daniel Moore: His love is not dependent on our actions or performance.
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Daniel Moore: While it is true that Jesus serves as our mediator and the means through which we can approach God, it is not solely through His lens that God loves us.
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Daniel Moore: Through Jesus' sacrifice, our sins are forgiven and we are reconciled to God.
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Daniel Moore: As a result, we can have a restored relationship with Him, experiencing His love directly.
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Daniel Moore: Rather than viewing God as constantly withholding punishment and being ready to flick us off the planet at any moment, we should strive to understand Him as a loving Father who disciplines us for our own growth and transformation.
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Daniel Moore: A scripture for that one is Hebrews, chapter 12, verse 6.
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Daniel Moore: His discipline is not driven by anger or frustration, but by his desire to shape us into the best version of ourselves.
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Daniel Moore: Instead of dwelling on a fear of punishment, we should focus on living in the reality of God's unconditional love.
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Daniel Moore: His love empowers us to walk in forgiveness, grace and gratitude.
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Daniel Moore: It inspires us to grow in our relationship with Him, knowing that he loves us deeply and desires a close and intimate connection with Him.
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Daniel Moore: God isn't just sitting around waiting to push the red button to destroy us.
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Daniel Moore: The Bible teaches the exact opposite red button to destroy us.
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Daniel Moore: The Bible teaches the exact opposite.
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Daniel Moore: God loved us when we couldn't have cared less about Him.
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Daniel Moore: In Psalm 103, 13-14, it says as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him, for he knows how we are formed.
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Daniel Moore: He remembers that we are dust.
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Daniel Moore: In these verses, the Bible teaches us that God's love for us is not dependent on our response or our ability to care for Him.
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Daniel Moore: Rather, it is rooted in His compassionate nature as a loving Father.
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Daniel Moore: The psalmist here compares God's compassion to the love and care of a father for his children.
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Daniel Moore: A good father has deep compassion and tenderness towards his children, regardless of their behavior or mindset.
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Daniel Moore: Similarly, the Lord has an abundance of compassion for those who fear him and seek to honor and reverence him.
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Daniel Moore: God's love for us goes beyond anything we could deserve or earn.
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Daniel Moore: It extends to us even when we are indifferent or unaware of His love.
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Daniel Moore: The Bible emphasizes that God loved us when we were still in a state of rebellion or apathy towards Him, such as in Romans 5, verse 8.
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Daniel Moore: His love for us predates our response to Him or our ability to care for Him.
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Daniel Moore: Furthermore, the second part of verse 14 reveals that God intimately knows our nature and our limitations.
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Daniel Moore: He understands that we are frail and prone to mistakes.
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Daniel Moore: God does not hold our weaknesses against us, but extends grace and compassion in light of our limitations.
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Daniel Moore: He continually remembers that we are but dust, finite and imperfect creatures.
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Daniel Moore: These verses expose the undeniable truth that God's love reaches out to us even when we are indifferent or incapable of fully reciprocating it.
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Daniel Moore: His love is not contingent upon our efforts or affections, but is based on His own character of compassion and mercy.
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Daniel Moore: But is based on his own character of compassion and mercy.
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Daniel Moore: Putting it another way, God isn't intimidated, disgusted or frustrated with our humanity.
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Daniel Moore: He is perfectly comfortable with the messiness that is mankind, which, in essence, brings up a question If we were perfectly accepted as we are, what is our motivation for change?
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Daniel Moore: There is an awesome explanation from theologian Richard Rohr.
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Daniel Moore: He stated most of us were taught that God would love us if and when we change.
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Daniel Moore: In fact, god loves you so that you can change.
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Daniel Moore: What empowers change, what makes you desirous of change, is the experience of love.
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Daniel Moore: It is that inherent experience of love that becomes the engine of change.
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Daniel Moore: The goal of change is not God's love.
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Daniel Moore: God's love is the gift that makes the goals possible.
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Daniel Moore: When we treat a gift like a goal, both are weakened.
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Daniel Moore: We just looked at two big reasons we avoid being ourselves fear of failure and plain old pride.
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Daniel Moore: The answer to both is learning to be comfortable with our weaknesses, knowing that God's love and calling doesn't depend on our perfection.
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Daniel Moore: But there's another reason that we don't live up to who we really are, and it's the hardest to spot of them all misinformation.
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Daniel Moore: We have all kinds of third words and we are thoroughly convinced they are valid, but our self-perception can be based on bad data and, as a result, we never live out what God put inside of us.
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Daniel Moore: You know, I heard a story about a guy named Wade.
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Daniel Moore: One of Wade's claims to fame is that when he was in the sixth grade, he was an actor in a series of sex education videos that were shown in elementary schools all over South Carolina.
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Daniel Moore: That included, of course, wade's own school, something he hadn't thought about when he signed up for the videos.
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Daniel Moore: He is in his late 30s to early 40s now and he's never lived it down.
28:15
Daniel Moore: Those videos were made circa 1980, so they are very tame.
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Daniel Moore: They are also hilariously old-fashioned.
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Daniel Moore: In one of the particular videos, wade plays the role of a boy named Petey.
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Daniel Moore: Petey and his buddy Steve are playing basketball dressed in what appear to be Bugle Boy jeans and Reebok pumps.
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Daniel Moore: An older man, ostensibly a teacher, is standing to the side watching.
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Daniel Moore: The competition starts to heat up and at one point Steve jumps and Petey gets hit in the groin.
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Daniel Moore: Petey gasps, he groans, he stumbles around the court, then collapses on the ground.
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Daniel Moore: It was a performance worthy of an Oscar.
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Daniel Moore: Steve rushes over and asks in his best Brady Bunch voice Pete, are you okay?
29:02
Daniel Moore: I'm sorry man.
29:03
Daniel Moore: Pete goes.
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Daniel Moore: Oh, I feel sick.
29:07
Daniel Moore: Immediately the creepy adult rushes over and chimes in Hang in there, tiger, I know it hurts.
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Daniel Moore: Nothing hurts a guy worse than getting hit in the crotch.
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Daniel Moore: And finally Steve drops the hammer Gee man, you'd better be careful.
29:23
Daniel Moore: I've heard, getting hit there can cause cancer.
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Daniel Moore: At which point the teacher hero addresses Steve with narrowed eyes, asking credulously, almost menacingly you heard what?
29:35
Daniel Moore: And then fade to black.
29:37
Daniel Moore: You know the line.
29:40
Daniel Moore: You heard what Ends up being the point of the video to encourage kids to get their information from reliable sources.
29:48
Daniel Moore: That's goofy advice when it comes to sex ed and awkward basketball injuries, and it's not bad advice when it comes to our identities either.
29:55
Daniel Moore: There are third words rattling around in our heads that we didn't consciously put there.
30:00
Daniel Moore: We haven't screened them or approved them.
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Daniel Moore: They sneaked in long ago and there they remain, unchallenged and uncensored, and sometimes they are dead wrong.
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Daniel Moore: Many of us decided long ago who we were, and it's hard for anyone to tell us otherwise.
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Daniel Moore: Maybe it was something a parent or a friend said and it stuck with us for so long it became part of our psyche.
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Daniel Moore: Maybe it was a tragedy or a failure and the trauma of the moment forever branded us.
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Daniel Moore: We promised ourselves we would never try that again.
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Daniel Moore: When we allow inaccurate third words to program our operating systems, no wonder we feel unqualified.
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Daniel Moore: We're evaluating ourselves based on assumptions and accusations that have little or no basis.
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Daniel Moore: In fact, when we feed our imaginations with distorted memories and unsubstantiated fears, we prison our potential.
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Daniel Moore: It's time to challenge the origin of those words.
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Daniel Moore: It's time to look at yourself a bit incredulously and ask you heard what you know?
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Daniel Moore: I'm sure you've heard the saying you don't get a second chance to make a first impression.
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Daniel Moore: This statement is often used to emphasize the importance of making a positive impact when meeting someone for the first time.
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Daniel Moore: In many aspects of life, such as job interviews, first dates or networking events, this saying holds true as first impressions can significantly influence how others perceive us.
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Daniel Moore: We make a genuine effort to look our best when we think it matters the most.
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Daniel Moore: However, when it comes to our relationship with God, the concept of making a good impression to gain favor does not apply.
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Daniel Moore: This is because God sees and knows the true essence of who we are, beyond any outward appearances or actions.
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Daniel Moore: We do not need to impress God with our achievements, good deeds or outward appearances in order to earn His love, acceptance and favor.
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Daniel Moore: Throughout the Bible, we see examples of Jesus showing compassion, forgiveness and love to people, regardless of their past mistakes or shortcomings.
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Daniel Moore: Forgiveness and love to people regardless of their past mistakes or shortcomings.
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Daniel Moore: From the disciples he chose to the sinners he dined with, to the thief on the cross whom he promised paradise, jesus consistently demonstrated that God's favor is not earned through impressive deeds or appearances, but through faith, humility and a sincere heart.
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Daniel Moore: He met them in their messes, in their realities, in their most desperate moments.
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Daniel Moore: He loved them in their messes, in their realities, in their most desperate moments.
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Daniel Moore: He loved them and believed in them when there was nothing lovable or admirable about them at all.
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Daniel Moore: God sees us as we truly are, with all of our flaws, insecurities and imperfections.
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Daniel Moore: Yet he loves us unconditionally.
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Daniel Moore: We do not need to put on a facade or try to be perfect to gain God's favor.
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Daniel Moore: Instead, we can come to Him as we are, knowing that he accepts us with open arms and sees the best in us, even at our worst moments.
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Daniel Moore: This unconditional love and acceptance from God can bring a huge sense of peace, comfort and reassurance in our lives.
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Daniel Moore: You don't need to make a good impression on God, but you do need to be honest with Him and with yourself.
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Daniel Moore: When it comes to our relationship with God, the key is not to try to make a good impression on Him through external actions or appearances.
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Daniel Moore: Instead, what God values most is our honesty, transparency and authenticity.
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Daniel Moore: It is essential for us to be truthful with ourselves and with God about who we really are, including our struggles, fears, doubts and insecurities.
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Daniel Moore: By being honest and vulnerable with God, we allow Him to work in our hearts and minds, guiding us toward a deeper understanding of ourselves and our true identity.
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Daniel Moore: Minds guiding us toward a deeper understanding of ourselves and our true identity.
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Daniel Moore: Through this process of self-evaluation and prayer, we can begin to see ourselves through the lens of God's love and grace, rather than through the distorted perceptions and false beliefs that may have been imposed on us by others or by ourselves.
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Daniel Moore: The ultimate source of our true identity and worth is found in Jesus Christ.
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Daniel Moore: He is the model of unconditional love, grace and acceptance.
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Daniel Moore: The ultimate source of our true identity and worth is found in Jesus Christ.
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Daniel Moore: He is the model of unconditional love, grace and acceptance.
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Daniel Moore: When we filter out our self-perceptions, insecurities and false beliefs through the reality of Christ's presence in our lives, we begin to discover our true identities as beloved children of God.
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Daniel Moore: By embracing the truth of who we are in Christ, we can find freedom from the constraints of our self-doubt, comparison and insecurity.
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Daniel Moore: We can live authentically, confidently and purposefully, knowing that our identity is grounded in the unchanging love of God.
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Daniel Moore: Through a relationship with Jesus, we can find healing, restoration and a renewed sense of purpose and worth.
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Daniel Moore: This journey of discovering who we are and spiritual growth enables us to live out our true identities and fulfill the unique calling and potential that God has placed within us.
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Daniel Moore: Next week, in next week's episode, we'll find out what happens when our third words meet God's power.
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Daniel Moore: Well, that's going to do it for this week's episode.
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Daniel Moore: I'm Daniel Moore.
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Daniel Moore: Thank you so much for listening.
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Daniel Moore: This show really wouldn't be possible without you.
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Daniel Moore: If you're a fan of the show, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and please subscribe to us on your favorite platform.
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Daniel Moore: The links for that are in the show notes.
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Daniel Moore: Well, that's all for this week, and we believe that God's Word never fails us.
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Daniel Moore: God's Word has stood the test of time and, through Jesus' death on the cross, he has connected the gap.
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Aria: You've been listening to Connecting the Gap Podcast.
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Aria: In this world, there are many disconnects that cause chaos in our lives.
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Aria: 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.
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Aria: 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.
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Aria: We upload a new audio podcast every Thursday and a video version of it on YouTube and Rumble.
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Aria: We are also on the Christian podcasting app Edify.
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Aria: You can subscribe to our podcast on many of the available podcasting platforms, including Apple Podcast, spotify, amazon Music, iheart Radio, tunein Radio and more.
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Aria: We are also available on your Alexa-enabled devices.
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Aria: If you would like to contact our ministry for any reason, visit our contact page and send us a message.
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Aria: We hope you are blessed by this ministry.
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Aria: This is a production of Connecting the Gap Ministries.