It is always good to have a role model in life.I always looked up to my parents and then to my leaders at church when I was at high school.Who do I look up to now? Jesus. He is the ultimate role model, the best teacher, the best mentor. He loves perfectly.What is it that Jesus did on the earth to show this? I’m sure you know. Jesus cared about people so much that he taught them, he healed them, cast out demons and raised people from death to life. But the best thing Jesus ever did was die on the cross for our sins.Bible Passage: John 3:16“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.”Bible Passage: 1 Peter 2:24“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” ”What do you think?Try to think now of someone you know who is generous with their time and money. Think of someone who might continually be giving things to you, buying you things, spending time playing with you, take you special places - a play at the park, for a swim, a bike ride.Maybe they tidy up your messes with you or for you. They might do it and you might not even notice! (I used to come home from school to a tidy house and didn’t think twice about how it got so clean!)Maybe they look after you when you’re not feeling well, taking you to the doctor, or dentist or speech therapist, in order to help you improve.Maybe they ask you to do jobs and teach you how to do things, even things that you don’t really want to learn, but they do it because they love you and they know it’s a skill you are going to need for life.Can you think of someone?Do you think that this person would die for you if the need arises?Bible Passage: John 15:13“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”I’m thinking you might be thinking of your mum or dad, maybe a grandparent. I know that I would take a bullet for my kids.Jesus is like that. He cares about us so much that he would die for us and more!Jesus loved in all kinds of ways. Some may have felt more loved than others. What we do know, is that God fixed their bodies and healed their ailments, only to then go, get old and die eventually. We know that Jesus’ sacrificing his own life for the sake of us was the ultimate act of love.Bible Passage: John 15:9-13“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”Love like Jesus. Can we actually do this? Can we heal people, teach people, die on the cross for people’s sins? No. But we can have a caring and generous heart like Jesus.Give up your own life. It is not important. Serve others in life. Put others first. Love. This is the summary of what God wants of us.Story Time!Growing up we had to do jobs. Every weekend. We had to do jobs because we didn’t just help out.We continued to have mandatory allocated jobs until we moved out and we were well into our 20s.I thought because I brought the dry washing in every now and then that I was helping out and very generous.Bible Passage: Philippians 2:3-8“Consider others more important than yourselves. Care about them as much as you care about yourselves and think the same way that Christ Jesus thought:Christ was truly God. But he did not try to remain    equal with God.Instead he gave up everything    and became a slave, when he became    like one of us.Christ was humble. He obeyed God and even died    on a cross.”Jesus heart is perfect and pure. He is sinless. Let’s live our lives with Jesus as our goal and work towards being like him as much as we can.Question Time!  What is the most loving thing anyone (other than God) has ever done for you? How can you love like Jesus in your life? 

It is always good to have a role model in life.I always looked up to my parents and then to my leaders at church when I was at high school.Who do I look up to now? Jesus. He is the ultimate role model, the best teacher, the best mentor. He loves perfectly.What is it that Jesus did on the earth to show this? I’m sure you know. Jesus cared about people so much that he taught them, he healed them, cast out demons and raised people from death to life. But the best thing Jesus ever did was die on the cross for our sins.Bible Passage: John 3:16“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.” Bible Passage: 1 Peter 2:24“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” ” What do you think? Try to think now of someone you know who is generous with their time and money. Think of someone who might continually be giving things to you, buying you things, spending time playing with you, take you special places - a play at the park, for a swim, a bike ride.Maybe they tidy up your messes with you or for you. They might do it and you might not even notice! (I used to come home from school to a tidy house and didn’t think twice about how it got so clean!)Maybe they look after you when you’re not feeling well, taking you to the doctor, or dentist or speech therapist, in order to help you improve.Maybe they ask you to do jobs and teach you how to do things, even things that you don’t really want to learn, but they do it because they love you and they know it’s a skill you are going to need for life.Can you think of someone?Do you think that this person would die for you if the need arises?Bible Passage: John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” I’m thinking you might be thinking of your mum or dad, maybe a grandparent. I know that I would take a bullet for my kids.Jesus is like that. He cares about us so much that he would die for us and more!Jesus loved in all kinds of ways. Some may have felt more loved than others. What we do know, is that God fixed their bodies and healed their ailments, only to then go, get old and die eventually. We know that Jesus’ sacrificing his own life for the sake of us was the ultimate act of love. Bible Passage: John 15:9-13“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Love like Jesus. Can we actually do this? Can we heal people, teach people, die on the cross for people’s sins? No. But we can have a caring and generous heart like Jesus.Give up your own life. It is not important. Serve others in life. Put others first. Love. This is the summary of what God wants of us. Story Time! Growing up we had to do jobs. Every weekend. We had to do jobs because we didn’t just help out.We continued to have mandatory allocated jobs until we moved out and we were well into our 20s.I thought because I brought the dry washing in every now and then that I was helping out and very generous. Bible Passage: Philippians 2:3-8“Consider others more important than yourselves. Care about them as much as you care about yourselves and think the same way that Christ Jesus thought:Christ was truly God.  But he did not try to remain     equal with God.Instead he gave up everything     and became a slave,  when he became     like one of us.Christ was humble.  He obeyed God and even died     on a cross.” Jesus heart is perfect and pure. He is sinless. Let’s live our lives with Jesus as our goal and work towards being like him as much as we can.Question Time! <ol> <li>What is the most loving thing anyone (other than God) has ever done for you?</li> <li>How can you love like Jesus in your life?</li> </ol>

Love LIKE JESUS

Jacob went through a stage of telling lies when he was about 3. He worked out that if he told a lie and it went undetected, then it could get him out of time out and all kinds of lectures! When he was caught out in a lie it didn’t seem to bother him because he didn’t understand about how important trust is, how lying breaks the trust and it takes a long time to rebuild it back again.Bible Passage: Exodus 20:16“Do not tell lies about others.”The first lie in the Bible:Bible Passage: Genesis 3:2-4“The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman.”What do you think?2 TRUTHS AND A LIE I lived in London for a year, waiting tables in a restaurant I have a golden retriever named Tilly who is 5 years old Our whole family hasn’t eaten sugar for over 5 years, including lollies Which one is the lie?2 TRUTHS AND A LIE I came 1st in a snow skiing race with ski-school when I was 9 and beat my older sister. When I was in primary school I was really shy and hardly talked to anyone but my family and close school friends. I exercised as much as I could and have played hockey all my life and still do. Which one is the lie?Bible Passage: Colossians 3:9“Stop lying to each other.”The opposite of being a liar is being honest. Honest people are trustworthy people. You can rely on them to do what they saw they are going to do. People who lie are untrustworthy. You can’t count on them. You can’t rely on them. You can’t believe what they say ever, because they could be lying, you just can never tell.Why is being trustworthy so important?Story Time!I know a man named Tony who is a carpenter. He is pretty good at building and arrives on time, but sometimes tools go missing when Tony is around. His boss found his drill in Tony's ute and asked him about it. “Oh not sure how that got there!” Tony said. Do you believe him? Why not? His boss gives him the benefit of the doubt as he’s never done anything like that before, but he stores the information away in the back of his brain.Tony called in sick for work the next Monday, but then his boss drove past him and saw that he was out for lunch with friends. This was not the actions of someone too sick to work. He was caught out! The trust was broken.When another lost tool of the bosses was found in Tony's ute, the boss did not believe it was an accident. Tony had shown himself to be a liar and untrustworthy.Every time Tony said something, the boss wasn’t sure if it was accurate or not. As a carpenter, he was often working alone on building sites. This means he needed to be trustworthy. He told the boss that he had worked on hanging the door all day, but was that true? Did he leave early? Did he work slowly? Did he start late? If his boss can’t trust him, then he will need to be always checking, always doubting, always watching. This is not the kind of person any boss wants on their team!Bible Passage: Proverbs 12:19, 22“Truth will last forever;    lies are soon found out.The Lord hates every liar,but he is the friend of all    who can be trusted.”Hate is a very strong word and I try to make sure my family only use the word when it necessitates it, when you really do actually loath something. God HATES it when we lie. Remember that it is not just the one instance of lying that he hates, but the sneaky, tricky behaviour that comes with it.Be honest. It is the loving thing to do.Question Time!  Why is it important to be honest? Are you an honest and trustworthy person? Why/why not? 

Jacob went through a stage of telling lies when he was about 3. He worked out that if he told a lie and it went undetected, then it could get him out of time out and all kinds of lectures! When he was caught out in a lie it didn’t seem to bother him because he didn’t understand about how important trust is, how lying breaks the trust and it takes a long time to rebuild it back again.Bible Passage: Exodus 20:16“Do not tell lies about others.” The first lie in the Bible:Bible Passage: Genesis 3:2-4“The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman.” What do you think? 2 TRUTHS AND A LIE<ul> <li>I lived in London for a year, waiting tables in a restaurant</li> <li>I have a golden retriever named Tilly who is 5 years old</li> <li>Our whole family hasn’t eaten sugar for over 5 years, including lollies</li> </ul>Which one is the lie?2 TRUTHS AND A LIE<ul> <li>I came 1st in a snow skiing race with ski-school when I was 9 and beat my older sister.</li> <li>When I was in primary school I was really shy and hardly talked to anyone but my family and close school friends.</li> <li>I exercised as much as I could and have played hockey all my life and still do.</li> </ul>Which one is the lie? Bible Passage: Colossians 3:9“Stop lying to each other.” The opposite of being a liar is being honest. Honest people are trustworthy people. You can rely on them to do what they saw they are going to do. People who lie are untrustworthy. You can’t count on them. You can’t rely on them. You can’t believe what they say ever, because they could be lying, you just can never tell.Why is being trustworthy so important?Story Time!I know a man named Tony who is a carpenter. He is pretty good at building and arrives on time, but sometimes tools go missing when Tony is around. His boss found his drill in Tony's ute and asked him about it. “Oh not sure how that got there!” Tony said. Do you believe him? Why not? His boss gives him the benefit of the doubt as he’s never done anything like that before, but he stores the information away in the back of his brain.Tony called in sick for work the next Monday, but then his boss drove past him and saw that he was out for lunch with friends. This was not the actions of someone too sick to work. He was caught out! The trust was broken.When another lost tool of the bosses was found in Tony's ute, the boss did not believe it was an accident. Tony had shown himself to be a liar and untrustworthy.Every time Tony said something, the boss wasn’t sure if it was accurate or not. As a carpenter, he was often working alone on building sites. This means he needed to be trustworthy. He told the boss that he had worked on hanging the door all day, but was that true? Did he leave early? Did he work slowly? Did he start late? If his boss can’t trust him, then he will need to be always checking, always doubting, always watching. This is not the kind of person any boss wants on their team! Bible Passage: Proverbs 12:19, 22“Truth will last forever;    lies are soon found out.The Lord hates every liar,but he is the friend of all    who can be trusted.” Hate is a very strong word and I try to make sure my family only use the word when it necessitates it, when you really do actually loath something. God HATES it when we lie. Remember that it is not just the one instance of lying that he hates, but the sneaky, tricky behaviour that comes with it.Be honest. It is the loving thing to do.Question Time! <ul> <li>Why is it important to be honest?</li> <li>Are you an honest and trustworthy person? Why/why not?</li> </ul>

Love IS BEING HONEST

We began the series with quite a few episodes talking about God’s commandments but haven’t spoken about them for a while.Today’s episode brings us back to some of the commandments as we talk about prioritising others as much as ourselves.Bible Passage: Exodus 20:13-17“Do not murder.Be faithful in marriage.Do not steal.Do not tell lies about others.Do not desire to possess anything that belongs to another person—not a house, a wife, a husband, a slave, an ox, a donkey, or anything else.”Would you murder yourself? NO!Would you steal from yourself? NO!Would you lie to yourself? NO!If the answer is yes, then press stop now because this episode goes on assuming that you love yourself. Most of us do, but there are a few who neglect themselves. (I might need to do an episode on loving ourselves, which is not out of the question, because many people don’t love themselves or hesitate to put themselves down.)This episode is assuming that you love yourself, much like Jesus does when he says: Bible Passage: Matthew 22:39“Love others as much as you love yourself.”What do you think?WHO AM I? I am in the Bible but I am not a Jew I am a character in one of Jesus’ most famous parables I helped a sick and beaten Jew on the side of the road I tended to his wounds, put him on my donkey and took him to an inn for the night I paid the innkeeper to look after the man because I had to go away I am from Samaria I am THE GOOD SAMARITAN The Good Samaritan loved his neighbour as he would love himself.Jesus wants us to love others like that. Put ourselves out for others. Let it cost something to us - money or time or energy. We would spend those things on ourselves, let’s spend those things on others too!Most of us prioritise ourselves, and make sure we get the best seat at the dinner table, make sure we get the biggest helping, make sure we are first in the line, make sure that the teacher picks us for the fun activities or to share in class. It’s our default.But Jesus wants us to love others just as much as we love ourselves. He wants us to consider others just as much as we consider ourselves. That is to be our default setting too. We look after ourselves, make sure we are clean and healthy and well dressed, well entertained and we try to give ourselves fun experiences. How can we do that for others as well?Bible Passage: Philippians 2:3-4“Consider others more important than yourselves. Care about them as much as you care about yourselves.”Each of us has a different capacity. Capacity just means the amount that something can produce of contain. If you love yourself a little bit, and look after yourself just a bit, then love others that much. If you have the capacity to dote on yourself and spoil yourself, then do that for others too! If you are a child then it is harder to spoil yourself. It is also harder to love others too, as you are limited by your size and abilities. Get good at loving yourself, and increase the amount you can love others too!Story Time!Missionaries, Kate and Rob, gave up 4 years of their lives in order to love others. They moved to the Middle East to share the love of Jesus with the locals.We try hard to receive love. We go to lengths to get what we need. We want to be looked after, loved. We make sure we get it. Let’s try and make sure others get it too, just as much as we make sure we get it ourselves.Question Time!  Discuss your capacity for loving yourself and whether you can love others like that. What do you think is the most loving thing you can do for someone? 

We began the series with quite a few episodes talking about God’s commandments but haven’t spoken about them for a while.Today’s episode brings us back to some of the commandments as we talk about prioritising others as much as ourselves.Bible Passage: Exodus 20:13-17 “Do not murder.Be faithful in marriage.Do not steal.Do not tell lies about others.Do not desire to possess anything that belongs to another person—not a house, a wife, a husband, a slave, an ox, a donkey, or anything else.” Would you murder yourself? NO!Would you steal from yourself? NO!Would you lie to yourself? NO!If the answer is yes, then press stop now because this episode goes on assuming that you love yourself. Most of us do, but there are a few who neglect themselves. (I might need to do an episode on loving ourselves, which is not out of the question, because many people don’t love themselves or hesitate to put themselves down.)This episode is assuming that you love yourself, much like Jesus does when he says: Bible Passage: Matthew 22:39“Love others as much as you love yourself.” What do you think?WHO AM I?<ul> <li>I am in the Bible but I am not a Jew</li> <li>I am a character in one of Jesus’ most famous parables</li> <li>I helped a sick and beaten Jew on the side of the road</li> <li>I tended to his wounds, put him on my donkey and took him to an inn for the night</li> <li>I paid the innkeeper to look after the man because I had to go away</li> <li>I am from Samaria</li> <li>I am THE GOOD SAMARITAN</li> </ul>The Good Samaritan loved his neighbour as he would love himself.Jesus wants us to love others like that. Put ourselves out for others. Let it cost something to us - money or time or energy. We would spend those things on ourselves, let’s spend those things on others too! Most of us prioritise ourselves, and make sure we get the best seat at the dinner table, make sure we get the biggest helping, make sure we are first in the line, make sure that the teacher picks us for the fun activities or to share in class. It’s our default.But Jesus wants us to love others just as much as we love ourselves. He wants us to consider others just as much as we consider ourselves. That is to be our default setting too. We look after ourselves, make sure we are clean and healthy and well dressed, well entertained and we try to give ourselves fun experiences. How can we do that for others as well? Bible Passage: Philippians 2:3-4“Consider others more important than yourselves. Care about them as much as you care about yourselves.” Each of us has a different capacity. Capacity just means the amount that something can produce of contain. If you love yourself a little bit, and look after yourself just a bit, then love others that much. If you have the capacity to dote on yourself and spoil yourself, then do that for others too! If you are a child then it is harder to spoil yourself. It is also harder to love others too, as you are limited by your size and abilities. Get good at loving yourself, and increase the amount you can love others too!Story Time!Missionaries, Kate and Rob, gave up 4 years of their lives in order to love others. They moved to the Middle East to share the love of Jesus with the locals.We try hard to receive love. We go to lengths to get what we need. We want to be looked after, loved. We make sure we get it. Let’s try and make sure others get it too, just as much as we make sure we get it ourselves.Question Time! <ul> <li>Discuss your capacity for loving yourself and whether you can love others like that.</li> <li>What do you think is the most loving thing you can do for someone?</li> </ul>

Love OTHERS AS MUCH AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF

Before I got married I had a kitchen tea and a hens weekend away with my female friends and my sister asked each of my friends to write some words of advice in a special book. My lovely sister in law to be wrote 2 words - Love and tolerance. She said that that had been the secret to her successful marriage for so many years and were 2 words of advice someone else had given to her. Love and Tolerance. Put up with others.Bear with one another.Tolerate others.Live through it without commenting, complaining, reacting, interfering.When I chose to marry Brad, I knew I would have to love and tolerate things about him, even though he was the one whom I loved and had chosen to spend my life with. No one is perfect, we all do things that are annoying and we all sin. We will all need to bear with one another sometimes, no matter how fond of each other we are.I know that when I was a kid, we were not taught about tolerance and it is much more common to talk about. We are told to put up with others who are different to us, who do different things and who act in a different way. We think people are weird and strange if they are different to us but we are actually all different and all have our own strange things we do.What do you think?What are some of the strangest things that you do? Here are some of the things I have seen and heard about that I’ve thought of and I wonder if this is you?Do you: Bite your nails and spit the little bits on the carpet? Chant the same line of a chant or song over and over? Burp or fart really loudly? Take all your clothes off when going to the toilet to do a number 2 because you didn’t want it to make your clothes smelly. Eat snails from the garden. Or are you thinking of something else that happens in your family that is crazy and strange and unique but you just have to bear with it? God has made us all to be different and we all think differently to one another. This doesn’t mean that some of us are better than others. It doesn’t mean that some of us are worse than others. Bible Passage: Galatians 3:28“Faith in Christ Jesus is what makes each of you equal with each other, whether you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a man or a woman.”Because we are different, with different thoughts and opinions, we might struggle to see eye to eye. We might struggle to get along. Paul wants us to put up with each other.Bible Passage: Colossians 3:12-14“God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient. Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together.”You can see why I thought a whole term would be a good for the topic of love! Maybe 10 weeks isn’t even enough. Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together.Story Time!Sharni had a tough time in lockdown in Sydney last year. We were in lockdown and away from school for 17 weeks. We linked Sharni up with her friends online and she spent a few wonderful weeks playing and chatting with her friends on her iPad.After a few good weeks, Sharni found that her friends weren’t answering her calls and they weren’t calling her. It seemed like they were all chatting and playing together without her. We tried to think of some conclusions. Maybe they were busy. Maybe they were all playing a game without her. Maybe it was an accident.As she was playing a game, she stumbled across her friends online together and a comment came up “lose her.”Sharni was devastated. She loved her friends. They were nice and fun. One of them might have convinced them to leave Sharni out. What was the way forward?How can Sharni put up with her friends when they are treating her so badly?A few weeks after that, everything went back to normal and Sharni was playing with the girls again. What had happened? How can Sharni go back to them when they were so mean?I personally encouraged Sharni to find some new friends, but Sharni really liked the ones she had. She forgave them even though they had not confessed or apologised. She put up with them, knowing that we all stuff up in our actions sometimes. I’m not saying to put up with being constantly abused and bullied. Sharni didn’t have to subject herself to that treatment, and if it was ongoing I would strongly advise her to get out of there!!!But for things that are a minor bit annoying, we need to do what Paul says and put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you.Question Time!  What is something that you do that your family have to put up with? What is something that your friends and family do that you struggle to put up with? Do you have any tips or tricks that you use that you can share now that help you to not react to annoyances? 

Before I got married I had a kitchen tea and a hens weekend away with my female friends and my sister asked each of my friends to write some words of advice in a special book. My lovely sister in law to be wrote 2 words - Love and tolerance. She said that that had been the secret to her successful marriage for so many years and were 2 words of advice someone else had given to her. Love and Tolerance. Put up with others.Bear with one another.Tolerate others.Live through it without commenting, complaining, reacting, interfering. When I chose to marry Brad, I knew I would have to love and tolerate things about him, even though he was the one whom I loved and had chosen to spend my life with. No one is perfect, we all do things that are annoying and we all sin. We will all need to bear with one another sometimes, no matter how fond of each other we are.I know that when I was a kid, we were not taught about tolerance and it is much more common to talk about. We are told to put up with others who are different to us, who do different things and who act in a different way. We think people are weird and strange if they are different to us but we are actually all different and all have our own strange things we do.What do you think?What are some of the strangest things that you do? Here are some of the things I have seen and heard about that I’ve thought of and I wonder if this is you?Do you:<ul> <li>Bite your nails and spit the little bits on the carpet?</li> <li>Chant the same line of a chant or song over and over?</li> <li>Burp or fart really loudly?</li> <li>Take all your clothes off when going to the toilet to do a number 2 because you didn’t want it to make your clothes smelly.</li> <li>Eat snails from the garden.</li> <li>Or are you thinking of something else that happens in your family that is crazy and strange and unique but you just have to bear with it?</li> </ul>God has made us all to be different and we all think differently to one another. This doesn’t mean that some of us are better than others. It doesn’t mean that some of us are worse than others. Bible Passage: Galatians 3:28“Faith in Christ Jesus is what makes each of you equal with each other, whether you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a man or a woman.” Because we are different, with different thoughts and opinions, we might struggle to see eye to eye. We might struggle to get along. Paul wants us to put up with each other.Bible Passage: Colossians 3:12-14“God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient. Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together.” You can see why I thought a whole term would be a good for the topic of love! Maybe 10 weeks isn’t even enough. Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together. Story Time!Sharni had a tough time in lockdown in Sydney last year. We were in lockdown and away from school for 17 weeks. We linked Sharni up with her friends online and she spent a few wonderful weeks playing and chatting with her friends on her iPad.After a few good weeks, Sharni found that her friends weren’t answering her calls and they weren’t calling her. It seemed like they were all chatting and playing together without her. We tried to think of some conclusions. Maybe they were busy. Maybe they were all playing a game without her. Maybe it was an accident.As she was playing a game, she stumbled across her friends online together and a comment came up “lose her.”Sharni was devastated. She loved her friends. They were nice and fun. One of them might have convinced them to leave Sharni out. What was the way forward?How can Sharni put up with her friends when they are treating her so badly?A few weeks after that, everything went back to normal and Sharni was playing with the girls again. What had happened? How can Sharni go back to them when they were so mean?I personally encouraged Sharni to find some new friends, but Sharni really liked the ones she had. She forgave them even though they had not confessed or apologised. She put up with them, knowing that we all stuff up in our actions sometimes.  I’m not saying to put up with being constantly abused and bullied. Sharni didn’t have to subject herself to that treatment, and if it was ongoing I would strongly advise her to get out of there!!!But for things that are a minor bit annoying, we need to do what Paul says and put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. Question Time! <ul> <li>What is something that you do that your family have to put up with?</li> <li>What is something that your friends and family do that you struggle to put up with?</li> <li>Do you have any tips or tricks that you use that you can share now that help you to not react to annoyances?</li> </ul>

Love IS BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER

When I was in high school I noticed that one of my friends was really happy to have enemies. She was always talking about people who she liked and then people who she hated, people she couldn’t stand and who she would go out of her way to be nasty to.Enemies. These days we think of countries having enemies but not really people. Enemies are people who are actively against us, using their actions to show that they disagree with us as people. Ted’s teacher was actively against him.Bullies are our enemies because they use their words and actions to oppose us.Do you actively oppose anyone? Adults might find they are enemies with certain political parties. Are you someone’s enemy?What do you think?Multiple choice quiz:Q1. If your enemy steals your hat at lunch time, what do you do? Punch her in the guts. Steal something out of her schoolbag. Give her your lunch as well. Let her have the hat. Q2. If you see your enemy at the park and he is getting beaten in a fight with his brother, what do you do? Gather a crowd around and get everyone chanting “fight, fight, fight.” Pull out a phone and video the whole thing. Try to break up the fight and then help your enemy with his injuries. Get an adult to help break up the fight and sort it out. Q3. If your teacher keeps picking on you for things that she lets slide when it is her pet doing it, what do you do? Leave a pin on her seat and tip a tin of fish into her handbag. Muck up more because you will be in trouble anyway. Try your best to do what she asks. Change schools. Some of the options are definitely not right but some of the answers could be more than one option. Sometimes the most loving thing to do is not always clear.What advice does Jesus offer in the Bible?Bible Passage: Matthew 5:43-48“You have heard people say, “Love your neighbors and hate your enemies.” 44 But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. 45  Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong. 46 If you love only those people who love you, will God reward you for this? Even tax collectors[k] love their friends. 47 If you greet only your friends, what's so great about this? Don't even unbelievers do that? 48  But you must always act like your Father in heaven.”Story Time!When Ted was in year 5, age 10, his teacher actively opposed him for some reason and was malicious towards him, really mean, for no reason. She was his enemy. I spoke with other mums whose daughters loved this teacher. Does God want us to love our enemies?Bible Passage: Romans 12:20, Proverbs 25:22“If your enemies are hungry,    give them something to eat. And if they are thirsty, give them something    to drink. This will be the same as piling burning coals    on their heads.”This is most likely a gift of so many warm coals in a pan that it must be carried on the head. It is an act of making friends, just like sharing food and drink with someone who is thirsty and hungry. If we love our enemies then you won’t have any enemies much longer!If you don’t have any enemies at the moment then maybe you’re doing a good job of it already!Question Time!  Is there someone you know who is extra difficult to love? Why? *If there isn’t someone you know who is extra difficult to love, then think of a type of person, or a personality that you might find difficult. Chat about it together. What can you do to love people you know who are not so lovely? 

When I was in high school I noticed that one of my friends was really happy to have enemies. She was always talking about people who she liked and then people who she hated, people she couldn’t stand and who she would go out of her way to be nasty to. Enemies. These days we think of countries having enemies but not really people. Enemies are people who are actively against us, using their actions to show that they disagree with us as people. Ted’s teacher was actively against him.Bullies are our enemies because they use their words and actions to oppose us.Do you actively oppose anyone? Adults might find they are enemies with certain political parties. Are you someone’s enemy? What do you think?Multiple choice quiz:Q1. If your enemy steals your hat at lunch time, what do you do?<ol> <li>Punch her in the guts.</li> <li>Steal something out of her schoolbag.</li> <li>Give her your lunch as well.</li> <li>Let her have the hat.</li> </ol>Q2. If you see your enemy at the park and he is getting beaten in a fight with his brother, what do you do?<ol> <li>Gather a crowd around and get everyone chanting “fight, fight, fight.”</li> <li>Pull out a phone and video the whole thing.</li> <li>Try to break up the fight and then help your enemy with his injuries.</li> <li>Get an adult to help break up the fight and sort it out.</li> </ol>Q3. If your teacher keeps picking on you for things that she lets slide when it is her pet doing it, what do you do?<ol> <li>Leave a pin on her seat and tip a tin of fish into her handbag.</li> <li>Muck up more because you will be in trouble anyway.</li> <li>Try your best to do what she asks.</li> <li>Change schools.</li> </ol>Some of the options are definitely not right but some of the answers could be more than one option. Sometimes the most loving thing to do is not always clear.What advice does Jesus offer in the Bible? Bible Passage: Matthew 5:43-48“You have heard people say, “Love your neighbors and hate your enemies.” 44 But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. 45  Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong. 46 If you love only those people who love you, will God reward you for this? Even tax collectors[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matt+5&amp;version=CEV#fen-CEV-21247k" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">k</a>] love their friends. 47 If you greet only your friends, what's so great about this? Don't even unbelievers do that? 48  But you must always act like your Father in heaven.” Story Time!When Ted was in year 5, age 10, his teacher actively opposed him for some reason and was malicious towards him, really mean, for no reason. She was his enemy. I spoke with other mums whose daughters loved this teacher.  Does God want us to love our enemies? Bible Passage: Romans 12:20, Proverbs 25:22“If your enemies are hungry,     give them something to eat.  And if they are thirsty,  give them something     to drink.  This will be the same  as piling burning coals     on their heads.” This is most likely a gift of so many warm coals in a pan that it must be carried on the head. It is an act of making friends, just like sharing food and drink with someone who is thirsty and hungry. If we love our enemies then you won’t have any enemies much longer!If you don’t have any enemies at the moment then maybe you’re doing a good job of it already! Question Time! <ol> <li>Is there someone you know who is extra difficult to love? Why? *If there isn’t someone you know who is extra difficult to love, then think of a type of person, or a personality that you might find difficult. Chat about it together.</li> <li>What can you do to love people you know who are not so lovely?</li> </ol>

Love YOUR ENEMIES

God created some animals to be pack animals, and to live together in groups for survival, like  a pack of wolves, a pods of dolphins, a caravan of camels or a tower of giraffes.Some animals God has made to be happy on their own, and only find others of their kind to have a family. The snow leopard is like this, so is the giant panda. They are known as solitary animals.God has made us to be relational. He has made humans to enjoy being a part of a “pack” or “mob” or “family.” What collective noun do you like using? Ted likes using “bunch” all the time. I am a bit more boring and use the term “group.” What do you say when referring to a collection of people?I know some people like being amongst people more than others - Lucy is an extravert and gets recharged by being with others, whereas Ted recharges when he is alone in his room with his computer or a book. But he still needs to be with people for some parts of the day.Being part of a big group means getting along. It is important to be kind, putting up with others, loving… We need to not be violent or aggressive or dominating. Some people in groups demand control and power and others can be manipulative and sneaky. Communities/mobs/families/groups work well when everybody shows love to one another. Love your neighbour, as some versions say.Bible Passage: John 13:34-35Jesus said, “But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.” What do you think?If you aim to love others and accidentally do something that upsets someone, how you think that they will respond?If you aim to look after yourself and accidentally do something that upsets someone, how do you think they will respond?For example, you buy your friend a birthday gift they like, but when they open it is broken because you accidentally dropped it. How you think that they will respond?You buy your friend a birthday gift you know that they won’t like but you will, like tickets to see your favourite band rather than their favourite band. How you think that they will respond?Our intentions are important and can be seen. When we intend to love, people can see it. Just trying is important. If you can’t do a job because you are too small, just try. Like doing laundry maybe. It's the effort and the intentions that are important.Bible Passage: 1 Peter 4:8"Most important of all, you must sincerely love each other, because love wipes away many sins.”Bible Passage: Proverbs 10:12“Hatred stirs up trouble; love overlooks the wrong that others do.”What God thinks about when he sees us is about our hearts. Many people can see if our hearts and intentions are good too.Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 16:7God says, ”People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts.”Do you have a loving heart? It takes a lot of practise to stop thinking about your own needs all the time and to start thinking about others sometimes, but with practise, you can get into the habit.What is love?Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8"Love is patient and kind, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn't selfish or quick tempered. It doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. Love never fails!”Love is thinking of others.Love is forgiving.Love is being honest.Love is being good, kind, caring.In the same situation there could be a number of different loving things you could do. If someone you know is sick, you could do all kinds of things and all would be great.Story Time!Ted and Lucy used to fight all the time about everything. Bicker, annoy, irritate, disagree… On our trip around Australia 4 years ago they were nice to each other for just one afternoon and it was amazing.Now they are nice to each other all the time. They helped each other at the uniform shop just yesterday. They cook for each other, chat about their day, listen to one another, laugh and remind each other of things for school. Like Lucy and Ted, with practise and maturity, we can grow in our love for one another, even our siblings!Question Time!  When you are in a group of people, or your family, what is one thing that you do that is really loving towards that group? When you’re with others, what is something that you think you could do better in a way of loving others? 

God created some animals to be pack animals, and to live together in groups for survival, like  a pack of wolves, a pods of dolphins, a caravan of camels or a tower of giraffes.Some animals God has made to be happy on their own, and only find others of their kind to have a family. The snow leopard is like this, so is the giant panda. They are known as solitary animals.God has made us to be relational. He has made humans to enjoy being a part of a “pack” or “mob” or “family.” What collective noun do you like using? Ted likes using “bunch” all the time. I am a bit more boring and use the term “group.” What do you say when referring to a collection of people?I know some people like being amongst people more than others - Lucy is an extravert and gets recharged by being with others, whereas Ted recharges when he is alone in his room with his computer or a book. But he still needs to be with people for some parts of the day.Being part of a big group means getting along. It is important to be kind, putting up with others, loving… We need to not be violent or aggressive or dominating. Some people in groups demand control and power and others can be manipulative and sneaky. Communities/mobs/families/groups work well when everybody shows love to one another. Love your neighbour, as some versions say.Bible Passage: John 13:34-35Jesus said, “But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.”  What do you think?If you aim to love others and accidentally do something that upsets someone, how you think that they will respond?If you aim to look after yourself and accidentally do something that upsets someone, how do you think they will respond?For example, you buy your friend a birthday gift they like, but when they open it is broken because you accidentally dropped it. How you think that they will respond?You buy your friend a birthday gift you know that they won’t like but you will, like tickets to see your favourite band rather than their favourite band. How you think that they will respond?Our intentions are important and can be seen. When we intend to love, people can see it. Just trying is important. If you can’t do a job because you are too small, just try. Like doing laundry maybe. It's the effort and the intentions that are important.Bible Passage: 1 Peter 4:8"Most important of all, you must sincerely love each other, because love wipes away many sins.” Bible Passage: Proverbs 10:12“Hatred stirs up trouble; love overlooks the wrong that others do.” What God thinks about when he sees us is about our hearts. Many people can see if our hearts and intentions are good too.Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 16:7God says, ”People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts.” Do you have a loving heart? It takes a lot of practise to stop thinking about your own needs all the time and to start thinking about others sometimes, but with practise, you can get into the habit. What is love?Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 "Love is patient and kind, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn't selfish or quick tempered. It doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. Love never fails!” Love is thinking of others.Love is forgiving.Love is being honest.Love is being good, kind, caring.In the same situation there could be a number of different loving things you could do. If someone you know is sick, you could do all kinds of things and all would be great.Story Time!Ted and Lucy used to fight all the time about everything. Bicker, annoy, irritate, disagree… On our trip around Australia 4 years ago they were nice to each other for just one afternoon and it was amazing.Now they are nice to each other all the time. They helped each other at the uniform shop just yesterday. They cook for each other, chat about their day, listen to one another, laugh and remind each other of things for school. Like Lucy and Ted, with practise and maturity, we can grow in our love for one another, even our siblings! Question Time! <ol> <li>When you are in a group of people, or your family, what is one thing that you do that is really loving towards that group?</li> <li>When you’re with others, what is something that you think you could do better in a way of loving others?</li> </ol>

Love ONE ANOTHER

I have been reading about Israel’s Kings lately - 1 Kings and 2 Kings. Some followed God and let him be the boss, but most were evil in the eyes of the Lord, worshipping other gods and doing whatever they wanted.I got to thinking - why would anyone want to follow another god when you have the true God to follow, who can part the sea, feed you, save you from snakes, cause plagues to come and defeat your enemies. Then I realised why. Many people don’t like to be bossed around, and God was telling the kings what to do.  Are you like that too? Do you want to do whatever you want? Some people don’t mind being bossed around as much as others but most people don’t want others restricting their actions, their decisions. Is that you? Do you like being told what to do?We are talking a bit about bosses lately, because it is part of life. There are always going to be people and rules that we have to submit to, whether we like it or not.If you are at school, you need to submit to the rules of the school and the teachers, if you play sport, you need to obey those rules.In society we have rules too, like don’t walk on the road, don’t steal, don’t drive the car too fast. But really, we don’t have too many rules. We are still able to choose many things for ourselves.When you are a child, you also have your parent’s rules.What do you think?Some times I am baffled by the things I ask my children to do. Has your parents ever asked you: “Don’t eat the dog food.” “Stop licking the wall.” “Is this your poo in the toilet?” Can you think of any other crazy things your parents may have said to you? Maybe you could think of more during the week as they happen!The previous 2 episodes were all about loving God and the next ones are going to be about loving others:Bible Passage: Matthew 22:36-40“Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?”Jesus answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.”The first 4 commandments are about loving God, and we covered those in the previous 2 episodes. The following 6 are about loving others, and the first of those 6 might not be exactly what you are wanting to hear right now, but it is always for our own benefit. This is what it is:Bible Passage: Exodus 20:12God said to the people of Israel:“Respect your father and your mother, and you will live a long time in the land I am giving you.”The chances are that if your parents have put this podcast on for you to listen to, then you have wonderful, loving parents who love God and want you to as well. It might be a lot easier to love parents when they are loving to you. But you might be listening to this with your grandparent, or on your own, or with someone else, and your parents might not be very kind or loving. Either way, God still wants us to respect them.What does this mean? It means showing them regard or consideration. It means treating someone honourably, although this is a bit of an old fashioned, unused word now (some bible translations actually say “honour your parents.” Teachers often use the word respect when talking about how to behave at school - respect your property and other people.Respect is another way of loving others, but without emotion and more with an attitude. We are to respect our parents and love them, no matter what their behaviour and treatment of others is like. We love and respect and obey them because they are our parents.Most parents absolutely love their kids and want the best for them, so make up rules that are in their children’s best interest. (These rules might be a lot easier to obey and respect than the ones that are not as loving!)Bible Passage: Ephesians 6:1-3“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Bible Passage:  Psalm 1:8“Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching.”Bible Passage: Proverbs 23:22“Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.”Story Time!When I was 10 years old I regularly stole money from mum and dad to buy snacks at the school canteen. It is important to obey and respect and honour our parents. But if you have parents who are asking you to not believe in God, what would you do? What if they asked you to do something God didn’t want, like steal or lie or cheat? We need to always be thinking about what the most important thing is. 1 Loving God. 2. Loving others.Question Time!  What is the hardest thing your parents have asked you to do and why? How can you love and honour your parents more? Why do you think God has included this command as one of his top 10? 

I have been reading about Israel’s Kings lately - 1 Kings and 2 Kings. Some followed God and let him be the boss, but most were evil in the eyes of the Lord, worshipping other gods and doing whatever they wanted. I got to thinking - why would anyone want to follow another god when you have the true God to follow, who can part the sea, feed you, save you from snakes, cause plagues to come and defeat your enemies. Then I realised why. Many people don’t like to be bossed around, and God was telling the kings what to do.  Are you like that too? Do you want to do whatever you want? Some people don’t mind being bossed around as much as others but most people don’t want others restricting their actions, their decisions. Is that you? Do you like being told what to do?We are talking a bit about bosses lately, because it is part of life. There are always going to be people and rules that we have to submit to, whether we like it or not.If you are at school, you need to submit to the rules of the school and the teachers, if you play sport, you need to obey those rules.In society we have rules too, like don’t walk on the road, don’t steal, don’t drive the car too fast. But really, we don’t have too many rules. We are still able to choose many things for ourselves.When you are a child, you also have your parent’s rules. What do you think?Some times I am baffled by the things I ask my children to do. Has your parents ever asked you:<ul> <li>“Don’t eat the dog food.”</li> <li>“Stop licking the wall.”</li> <li>“Is this your poo in the toilet?”</li> </ul>Can you think of any other crazy things your parents may have said to you? Maybe you could think of more during the week as they happen!The previous 2 episodes were all about loving God and the next ones are going to be about loving others:Bible Passage: Matthew 22:36-40“Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?”Jesus answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.” The first 4 commandments are about loving God, and we covered those in the previous 2 episodes. The following 6 are about loving others, and the first of those 6 might not be exactly what you are wanting to hear right now, but it is always for our own benefit. This is what it is:Bible Passage: Exodus 20:12God said to the people of Israel:“Respect your father and your mother, and you will live a long time in the land I am giving you.” The chances are that if your parents have put this podcast on for you to listen to, then you have wonderful, loving parents who love God and want you to as well. It might be a lot easier to love parents when they are loving to you. But you might be listening to this with your grandparent, or on your own, or with someone else, and your parents might not be very kind or loving. Either way, God still wants us to respect them.What does this mean? It means showing them regard or consideration. It means treating someone honourably, although this is a bit of an old fashioned, unused word now (some bible translations actually say “honour your parents.” Teachers often use the word respect when talking about how to behave at school - respect your property and other people.Respect is another way of loving others, but without emotion and more with an attitude. We are to respect our parents and love them, no matter what their behaviour and treatment of others is like. We love and respect and obey them because they are our parents.Most parents absolutely love their kids and want the best for them, so make up rules that are in their children’s best interest. (These rules might be a lot easier to obey and respect than the ones that are not as loving!)Bible Passage: Ephesians 6:1-3“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”  Bible Passage:  Psalm 1:8“Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching.” Bible Passage: Proverbs 23:22“Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.” Story Time!When I was 10 years old I regularly stole money from mum and dad to buy snacks at the school canteen. It is important to obey and respect and honour our parents. But if you have parents who are asking you to not believe in God, what would you do? What if they asked you to do something God didn’t want, like steal or lie or cheat? We need to always be thinking about what the most important thing is. 1 Loving God. 2. Loving others. Question Time! <ol> <li>What is the hardest thing your parents have asked you to do and why?</li> <li>How can you love and honour your parents more?</li> <li>Why do you think God has included this command as one of his top 10?</li> </ol>

Love YOUR PARENTS

I could spend hours reading a novel, but when I pick up the bible I often struggle to focus.I could spend hours watching TV but when it comes to watching a sermon, I struggle to stay awake.Why is that? How can we be so interested in things that don’t really matter, but when it comes to important things, we struggle?It could be that Satan doesn’t want us to do those things and tempts us, distracts us and does anything to get us to spend time with God.Or it could be that we don’t realise how important it is.Loving God is extremely important.Love is central to being a Christian.Loving God and loving others is the way Jesus sums up the law.God wants us to put him first. What does this mean? It means spending time with him, acknowledging him as Lord, boss, creator and King.What else can we do for God? God has listed 2 specific things that he wants us to do and they are the 3rd and 4th commandments.Bible Passage: Exodus 20:7-11"Do not misuse my name. I am the Lord your God, and I will punish anyone who misuses my name.Remember that the Sabbath Day belongs to me. You have six days when you can do your work, but the seventh day of each week belongs to me, your God. No one is to work on that day—not you, your children, your slaves, your animals, or the foreigners who live in your towns. In six days I made the sky, the earth, the oceans, and everything in them, but on the seventh day I rested. That’s why I made the Sabbath a special day that belongs to me."Sabbath is a day invented by God. He rested after he made the world. We are given this gift. Before this, everyone used to work 7 days a week. No rest!But God wants our rest to be about him. Coming to him. It belongs to God.What does that mean?What do you think?YES or NO?On your day of rest, is it rest if: You go to church? If you feed your pet? If you play sport (ride your bike, go for a swim, dance) If you go to the shop for some food? If you weren’t sure of some of the answers, then you’re not alone. There have been many debates over what is considered rest and what isn’t, and the Jews and Pharisees wanted to make sure they obeyed God perfectly. Jesus clarified it a bit for us, saying that the day of rest was created for people, so don’t get too hung up on it, but just make sure that you have a restful day that is different to all your other days (most people even get 2 over the weekend!) And devote the day to God. That’s the tricky bit.Story Time!When I was a teenager I devoured biographies and each one left me pondering about different things.Suzanna Wesley was the youngest of 25 children. She was born in 1669 and was married at 19. Suzanna had 19 babies but 9 died. Her house burned down twice. She was always busy - looking after her all kids, cooking and cleaning. She taught kids church because no one else could do it She managed the family’s finances because her husband kept getting them into debt, borrowing and not paying back.Her husband was a minister of a church but went to jail 2 times.Suzanna loved God so much that she decided it was important to spend time with God - reading his word, thinking and praying. She decided that she would spend just as much time with God as she spent in leisure.One minister came to look after her husband’s church while he was away and was not teaching her kids properly so she started doing her own scripture lessons.The more time you put into something, the better you get at it.The same can be said for the words you say.  Let’s talk about the other part of the passage.Bible Passage: Exodus 20:7"Do not misuse my name. I am the Lord your God, and I will punish anyone who misuses my name."This simply means to use God’s name respectfully. An example of not using God’s name respectfully is by calling on God when you don’t really mean it. “Oh God!” When something bad or surprising happens. “Jesus!” Is another thing people say.I can imagine that people used to say these things but really were chatting with God, but now it is habit more than anything, like saying “bless you” after a sneeze. It doesn’t even make sense.God deserves respect, and an easy way that we can do that is by calling him what he wants to be called - “Jesus, God, Father, Dad,” when we come to him and not saying his name when we aren’t even thinking of him.I know christians who turned to Christ when they were adults and were in the habit of saying “oh God!” And “Jesus!” And they have really struggled to get out of the habit. Get in good habits while you.re young and say something else.Question Time!  Is there anything about your language that might be good to change? What words will you stop saying and what will you replace it with? What can you do on your rest day to devote it to God? 

I could spend hours reading a novel, but when I pick up the bible I often struggle to focus.I could spend hours watching TV but when it comes to watching a sermon, I struggle to stay awake.Why is that? How can we be so interested in things that don’t really matter, but when it comes to important things, we struggle?It could be that Satan doesn’t want us to do those things and tempts us, distracts us and does anything to get us to spend time with God.Or it could be that we don’t realise how important it is.Loving God is extremely important.Love is central to being a Christian.Loving God and loving others is the way Jesus sums up the law.God wants us to put him first. What does this mean? It means spending time with him, acknowledging him as Lord, boss, creator and King.What else can we do for God? God has listed 2 specific things that he wants us to do and they are the 3rd and 4th commandments. Bible Passage: Exodus 20:7-11"Do not misuse my name. I am the Lord your God, and I will punish anyone who misuses my name.Remember that the Sabbath Day belongs to me. You have six days when you can do your work, but the seventh day of each week belongs to me, your God. No one is to work on that day—not you, your children, your slaves, your animals, or the foreigners who live in your towns. In six days I made the sky, the earth, the oceans, and everything in them, but on the seventh day I rested. That’s why I made the Sabbath a special day that belongs to me." Sabbath is a day invented by God. He rested after he made the world. We are given this gift. Before this, everyone used to work 7 days a week. No rest!But God wants our rest to be about him. Coming to him. It belongs to God.What does that mean? What do you think?YES or NO?On your day of rest, is it rest if:<ol> <li>You go to church?</li> <li>If you feed your pet?</li> <li>If you play sport (ride your bike, go for a swim, dance)</li> <li>If you go to the shop for some food?</li> </ol>If you weren’t sure of some of the answers, then you’re not alone. There have been many debates over what is considered rest and what isn’t, and the Jews and Pharisees wanted to make sure they obeyed God perfectly. Jesus clarified it a bit for us, saying that the day of rest was created for people, so don’t get too hung up on it, but just make sure that you have a restful day that is different to all your other days (most people even get 2 over the weekend!) And devote the day to God. That’s the tricky bit. Story Time!When I was a teenager I devoured biographies and each one left me pondering about different things.Suzanna Wesley was the youngest of 25 children. She was born in 1669 and was married at 19. Suzanna had 19 babies but 9 died. Her house burned down twice. She was always busy - looking after her all kids, cooking and cleaning. She taught kids church because no one else could do it She managed the family’s finances because her husband kept getting them into debt, borrowing and not paying back.Her husband was a minister of a church but went to jail 2 times.Suzanna loved God so much that she decided it was important to spend time with God - reading his word, thinking and praying. She decided that she would spend just as much time with God as she spent in leisure.One minister came to look after her husband’s church while he was away and was not teaching her kids properly so she started doing her own scripture lessons.The more time you put into something, the better you get at it.The same can be said for the words you say.   Let’s talk about the other part of the passage. Bible Passage: Exodus 20:7"Do not misuse my name. I am the Lord your God, and I will punish anyone who misuses my name." This simply means to use God’s name respectfully. An example of not using God’s name respectfully is by calling on God when you don’t really mean it. “Oh God!” When something bad or surprising happens. “Jesus!” Is another thing people say.I can imagine that people used to say these things but really were chatting with God, but now it is habit more than anything, like saying “bless you” after a sneeze. It doesn’t even make sense.God deserves respect, and an easy way that we can do that is by calling him what he wants to be called - “Jesus, God, Father, Dad,” when we come to him and not saying his name when we aren’t even thinking of him. I know christians who turned to Christ when they were adults and were in the habit of saying “oh God!” And “Jesus!” And they have really struggled to get out of the habit. Get in good habits while <a href="http://you.re" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">you.re</a> young and say something else.Question Time! <ol> <li>Is there anything about your language that might be good to change? What words will you stop saying and what will you replace it with?</li> <li>What can you do on your rest day to devote it to God?</li> </ol>

Love GOD Part 2 

Love is central to being a Christian.Loving God and loving others is the way Jesus sums up the law.“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.This is the first and most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.”Today’s episode is focusing on loving God.Loving God is about putting God first. He is the most important thing in this whole world.You may think the most important thing in this world might be your parents or food or feeling safe, but it’s not, because God is number 1.He made you. He looks after you. He provides for you. God has the power to change it all in an instant. Earth is not important. Once we die, life really starts. Make sure you’re going to the right place.What do you think?Imagine you are a toddler. You are 3 years old, your hands are sticky and you can’t see the kitchen sink. You do not have to do any jobs. You have no responsibilities, no homework, no chores, nothing relying on you. If you don’t feed your pet like mum asked, it gets done. Mum or dad do it. If you don’t pack a lunchbox, mum or dad do it. They pack everything you need for wherever you go. You don’t even have to get dressed by yourself or go to the toilet! You are called a “dependant” because you depend on others for everything.Do you worry about anything? Are you worried about the electricity bill or the car rego running out? You might worry about mum or dad going away. Or about having to go to bed when you don’t want to. You are being totally looked after. You sleep well.You trust your parents. They feed you, cuddle you and provide for all your needs.Bible Passage: Exodus 20:2-6"Do not worship any god except me.Do not make idols that look like anything in the sky or on earth or in the ocean under the earth. Don’t bow down and worship idols. I am the Lord your God, and I demand all your love. If you reject me, I will punish your families for three or four generations. But if you love me and obey my laws, I will be kind to your families for thousands of generations."God wants us to be dependant on him. He want us to have eyes only for him. Nothing else matters, nothing else is anywhere near important! Like a toddler who cares only for her parents, we are to look only to God.Bible Passage: Matthew 18:1-5“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”Like a kid, need to come to God with nothing. Like a son or daughter, there is nothing we can give God to earn his love. He loves us no matter what. He wants us to come to him with utter trust and devotion, like a toddler to her parents.Story Time!When my older sister, Naomi was 3, she liked spending time with Dad, but he was often working. He had his office at home. She would wander into his office, hoping to be able to spend time with him.One day when Dad was really busy, she came in and Dad offered her some paper and pens so she could do some drawing. She wasn’t interested. He offered her a range of other things to do but she wasn’t interested. So he asked her, “What do you want Naomi?”She replied, “I want you.”She just wanted him to stop what he was doing and pay her attention. She wanted him to look at her, talk with her, enjoy her. This is exactly what God wants. He loves it when we serve him, and love others but he really just wants us.God wants us to put everything aside and make him our priority. He wants us to stop what we are doing, pay him attention, look to God, talk with him and enjoy him.Remember that Satan doesn’t want us to spend time with God. He will distract us, cause us to think that it’s boring or make us forget. We need to resist and come to God.Question Time!  How do you think you can show love to God today? How can we get into the habit of showing love to God every day? 

Love is central to being a Christian.Loving God and loving others is the way Jesus sums up the law.“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.This is the first and most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” Today’s episode is focusing on loving God.Loving God is about putting God first. He is the most important thing in this whole world.You may think the most important thing in this world might be your parents or food or feeling safe, but it’s not, because God is number 1.He made you. He looks after you. He provides for you. God has the power to change it all in an instant. Earth is not important. Once we die, life really starts. Make sure you’re going to the right place.What do you think? Imagine you are a toddler. You are 3 years old, your hands are sticky and you can’t see the kitchen sink. You do not have to do any jobs. You have no responsibilities, no homework, no chores, nothing relying on you. If you don’t feed your pet like mum asked, it gets done. Mum or dad do it. If you don’t pack a lunchbox, mum or dad do it. They pack everything you need for wherever you go. You don’t even have to get dressed by yourself or go to the toilet! You are called a “dependant” because you depend on others for everything.Do you worry about anything? Are you worried about the electricity bill or the car rego running out? You might worry about mum or dad going away. Or about having to go to bed when you don’t want to. You are being totally looked after. You sleep well.You trust your parents. They feed you, cuddle you and provide for all your needs. Bible Passage: Exodus 20:2-6 "Do not worship any god except me. Do not make idols that look like anything in the sky or on earth or in the ocean under the earth. Don’t bow down and worship idols. I am the Lord your God, and I demand all your love. If you reject me, I will punish your families for three or four generations. But if you love me and obey my laws, I will be kind to your families for thousands of generations." God wants us to be dependant on him. He want us to have eyes only for him. Nothing else matters, nothing else is anywhere near important! Like a toddler who cares only for her parents, we are to look only to God. Bible Passage: Matthew 18:1-5 “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” Like a kid, need to come to God with nothing. Like a son or daughter, there is nothing we can give God to earn his love. He loves us no matter what. He wants us to come to him with utter trust and devotion, like a toddler to her parents. Story Time! When my older sister, Naomi was 3, she liked spending time with Dad, but he was often working. He had his office at home. She would wander into his office, hoping to be able to spend time with him.One day when Dad was really busy, she came in and Dad offered her some paper and pens so she could do some drawing. She wasn’t interested. He offered her a range of other things to do but she wasn’t interested. So he asked her, “What do you want Naomi?”She replied, “I want you.”She just wanted him to stop what he was doing and pay her attention. She wanted him to look at her, talk with her, enjoy her. This is exactly what God wants. He loves it when we serve him, and love others but he really just wants us.God wants us to put everything aside and make him our priority. He wants us to stop what we are doing, pay him attention, look to God, talk with him and enjoy him.Remember that Satan doesn’t want us to spend time with God. He will distract us, cause us to think that it’s boring or make us forget. We need to resist and come to God.Question Time! <ol> <li>How do you think you can show love to God today?</li> <li>How can we get into the habit of showing love to God every day?</li> </ol>

Love GOD Part 1 

I remember being about 10 years old when my parents called all of us kids in for a family meeting to go over the rules. There weren’t many, they had written them all down. I remember thinking how there were way more rules than they had there. There wasn’t a rule written down about eating with your mouth open or talking with food in your mouth and that was just the mealtime rules. Tidying my room was a rule and that wasn’t on the list either. The list just said things like respect each other.With over 90 episodes now, we have a lot of episodes on love because God is love and it is so central to being a Christian. More than ever in these hard times, we need to be focusing on love and so for the next 10 weeks I am going to be bringing you episode after episode on love!For an extra overview episode on love from last year, tune into this episode:https://www.thewordonthestreetpodcast.com/podcast/be-different-be-lovingFor all the episodes on love specifically, go here.What do you think?Imagine a world with no rules. What do you think it would be like?No order, just everyone doing whatever they like.At first everyone you see is happy because they are free to do whatever they like.But soon everyone just seems scared.You can see someone hurting someone else. That’s allowed.You can see someone sneaking into a house and stealing their things. That’s allowed.You can see that someone is dumping stuff into your drinking water tank. That’s allowed too.How do you feel now? You see that people are starting to feel like they are in danger and are worried about the future. Their money is not safe. Their food is not safe. Even their homes aren’t safe.Some of the earliest rules we know of in any civilisation were the rules God gave to Moses on the Mount of Sinai called the Ten Commandments. They were given to us as a gift! They are for our benefit so that we can feel safe in the community that we live in.Our government creates rules called laws and if the government is good then the rules they make are for our benefit, but if it’s a corrupt government then the laws are not so good. But God’s rules are perfect because God is perfect.In this intro episode we are going to be looking at Jesus in Matthew 22:36-40, when he was asked, “Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?”Jesus answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.”We are being commanded to love. Loving God and loving others is a rule God has given us.Story Time!Have you ever had someone bite you? When my oldest son, Ted, was nearly 2, he became a biter, I became the helicopter, hovering overhead, just in case.I felt a bit like God, wanting Ted to love others, asking and trying so hard, but he just kept ignoring me! I tried punishments, time out and things, but it didn’t work. I wanted him to be nice to others, I wanted him to think about what it would feel like to be the person he was biting.Bible Passage: Matthew 22:36-40“Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?”Jesus answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.”What this means is that the 10 commandments in Exodus can actually be summarised by these 2 Jesus just said. The first 4 are about loving God and the next 6 are about loving others.Bible Passage: Exodus 20:1-17God said to the people of Israel:I am the Lord your God, the one who brought you out of Egypt where you were slaves.Do not worship any god except me.Do not make idols that look like anything in the sky or on earth or in the ocean under the earth. Don’t bow down and worship idols. I am the Lord your God, and I demand all your love. If you reject me, I will punish your families for three or four generations. But if you love me and obey my laws, I will be kind to your families for thousands of generations.Do not misuse my name. I am the Lord your God, and I will punish anyone who misuses my name.Remember that the Sabbath Day belongs to me. You have six days when you can do your work, but the seventh day of each week belongs to me, your God. No one is to work on that day—not you, your children, your slaves, your animals, or the foreigners who live in your towns. In six days I made the sky, the earth, the oceans, and everything in them, but on the seventh day I rested. That’s why I made the Sabbath a special day that belongs to me.Respect your father and your mother, and you will live a long time in the land I am giving you.Do not murder.Be faithful in marriage.Do not steal.Do not tell lies about others.Do not want anything that belongs to someone else. Don’t want anyone’s house, wife or husband, slaves, oxen, donkeys or anything else.God was being so generous giving us these commandments. They are a blessing to us and are for our benefit. Can’t wait to bring you more episodes on love over the next few months!Question Time!  What is the worst rule you have ever been told to do? Why do you think God has given the commandment to his people to love? Try and memorise today’s verse - learn a song if you have to, and get the verse in your head forever, as it is such an important one. Want more?For all other episodes and more, check out our website at thewordonthestreetpodcast.com Follow Anna on her Facebook Page hereJoin The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group hereLike INSTAGRAM? Follow The Word On The Street Podcast hereFollow Anna on Instagram hereEternity Podcast Network is a collection of carefully considered, Biblically informed, creative productions that aim to fill your ears with seriously good sounds. Head to the Eternity Podcast Network website to browse their range of quality podcasts.

I remember being about 10 years old when my parents called all of us kids in for a family meeting to go over the rules. There weren’t many, they had written them all down. I remember thinking how there were way more rules than they had there. There wasn’t a rule written down about eating with your mouth open or talking with food in your mouth and that was just the mealtime rules. Tidying my room was a rule and that wasn’t on the list either. The list just said things like respect each other.With over 90 episodes now, we have a lot of episodes on love because God is love and it is so central to being a Christian. More than ever in these hard times, we need to be focusing on love and so for the next 10 weeks I am going to be bringing you episode after episode on love!For an extra overview episode on love from last year, tune into this episode:<a href="https://www.thewordonthestreetpodcast.com/podcast/be-different-be-loving" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.thewordonthestreetpodcast.com/podcast/be-different-be-loving </a> For all the episodes on love specifically, go <a href="https://www.thewordonthestreetpodcast.com/podcast/tag/Love" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.What do you think?Imagine a world with no rules. What do you think it would be like?No order, just everyone doing whatever they like.At first everyone you see is happy because they are free to do whatever they like.But soon everyone just seems scared.You can see someone hurting someone else. That’s allowed.You can see someone sneaking into a house and stealing their things. That’s allowed.You can see that someone is dumping stuff into your drinking water tank. That’s allowed too.How do you feel now? You see that people are starting to feel like they are in danger and are worried about the future. Their money is not safe. Their food is not safe. Even their homes aren’t safe. Some of the earliest rules we know of in any civilisation were the rules God gave to Moses on the Mount of Sinai called the Ten Commandments. They were given to us as a gift! They are for our benefit so that we can feel safe in the community that we live in.Our government creates rules called laws and if the government is good then the rules they make are for our benefit, but if it’s a corrupt government then the laws are not so good. But God’s rules are perfect because God is perfect.In this intro episode we are going to be looking at Jesus in Matthew 22:36-40, when he was asked, “Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?” Jesus answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.” We are being commanded to love. Loving God and loving others is a rule God has given us. Story Time! Have you ever had someone bite you? When my oldest son, Ted, was nearly 2, he became a biter, I became the helicopter, hovering overhead, just in case.I felt a bit like God, wanting Ted to love others, asking and trying so hard, but he just kept ignoring me! I tried punishments, time out and things, but it didn’t work. I wanted him to be nice to others, I wanted him to think about what it would feel like to be the person he was biting. Bible Passage: Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?” Jesus answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.” What this means is that the 10 commandments in Exodus can actually be summarised by these 2 Jesus just said. The first 4 are about loving God and the next 6 are about loving others. Bible Passage: Exodus 20:1-17 God said to the people of Israel: I am the Lord your God, the one who brought you out of Egypt where you were slaves. Do not worship any god except me. Do not make idols that look like anything in the sky or on earth or in the ocean under the earth. Don’t bow down and worship idols. I am the Lord your God, and I demand all your love. If you reject me, I will punish your families for three or four generations. But if you love me and obey my laws, I will be kind to your families for thousands of generations. Do not misuse my name. I am the Lord your God, and I will punish anyone who misuses my name. Remember that the Sabbath Day belongs to me. You have six days when you can do your work, but the seventh day of each week belongs to me, your God. No one is to work on that day—not you, your children, your slaves, your animals, or the foreigners who live in your towns. In six days I made the sky, the earth, the oceans, and everything in them, but on the seventh day I rested. That’s why I made the Sabbath a special day that belongs to me. Respect your father and your mother, and you will live a long time in the land I am giving you. Do not murder. Be faithful in marriage. Do not steal. Do not tell lies about others. Do not want anything that belongs to someone else. Don’t want anyone’s house, wife or husband, slaves, oxen, donkeys or anything else. God was being so generous giving us these commandments. They are a blessing to us and are for our benefit. Can’t wait to bring you more episodes on love over the next few months!Question Time! <ol> <li>What is the worst rule you have ever been told to do?</li> <li>Why do you think God has given the commandment to his people to love?</li> <li>Try and memorise today’s verse - learn a song if you have to, and get the verse in your head forever, as it is such an important one.</li> </ol>Want more? For all other episodes and more, check out our website at <a href="https://www.thewordonthestreetpodcast.com/podcast/thewordonthestreetpodcast.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">thewordonthestreetpodcast.com  </a> Follow Anna on her Facebook Page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thewordonthestreetpodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Join The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/543910553118656" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Like INSTAGRAM?  Follow The Word On The Street Podcast <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thewordonthestreetpodcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Follow Anna on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/annasware/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> <a href="https://www.eternitynews.com.au/podcast-network/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eternity Podcast Network</a> is a collection of carefully considered, Biblically informed, creative productions that aim to fill your ears with seriously good sounds. Head to the Eternity Podcast Network website to browse their range of quality podcasts.

LOVE

A Christian podcast for parents AND children to listen to together? Yes please.Join Anna Ware as she challenge your kids to follow Jesus and prompts them to ask the deep questions.And the best part? You’ll be right there with them, answering their questions and chatting things over together! Anna Ware is a passionate Australian evangelical Christian from Sydney, Australia, who has a gift in explaining the complex things of Christianity in a simple and unique way that children love.Grab the kids, jump in the car, hook up the bluetooth and start having the God-conversations today!

Bible Passage: Hebrews 12:2“He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew that later on he would be glad he did.”Hard times are around us all the time. Everyone experiences them. Even the richest person who has life set experiences hard times. We all get sick, our bodies get old and die. The richest person may not have money problems, their hard times are just different.If you imagine the happiest person in the world, what would their life look like?Travel agencies make me think of a lying in a hammock with a cocktail by the pool on a tropical island. I went to Fiji for my honeymoon years ago and I realised that it is never as good as the photos - the photos aren’t real! It’s hot, muggy, you need a drink, need to go to the toilet, the hammock is to bendy, it rains, you get bored, you’re getting sunburnt, there is no purpose if it is ongoing in your life. It is good to relax for a time, but not forever.You might be thinking of Disneyworld or the fun parks on the Gold Coast. These too would get boring after a while. It’s not real. Real life involves work, accomplishment, love, giving and loss too.What do you think?Would you rather: Go on a camping holiday or staying in a 5 star hotel? Going to a farm for a holiday or a beach? Going on a cruise for a week or staying at a fun park for a week? Bible Passage: Hebrews 4:15“Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin!”Story Time! Jesus is God and he became a human, born as a baby. I can imagine that would be a very humbling thing for the God of the universe to do - to take on the limitations we have to save us. Do you get hangry and then make poor decisions? Jesus was hungry. One time he went without food and drink for 40 days and nights. Satan came after the 40 days and tried to convince him to sin, but he refused, even though he was so weak. His friends did not believe what he taught them. People were disappointed in Jesus. He came late to his friend’s bed but Lazarus was already dead. “If you were here he wouldn’t have died!” Lazarus’s sister told Jesus. Jesus cried. Jesus had friends reject him and betray him. Judas was one of his 12 friends who gave the authorities a way to arrest Jesus away from the crowds. Jesus asked 3 disciples to pray with him hours before he was arrested but they kept falling asleep. Peter disowned Jesus 3 times before the rooster crowed later that same night. Jesus was laughed at. A fake crown and robe was put on Jesus and the people mock-worshipped him. Jesus was hated and ridiculed. This was just a week after he had ridden the donkey into Jerusalem on palms and coats, being celebrated. Jesus’ own father rejected him, leaving him because he bore our sins on the cross. Before that, Jesus asked if he could please not do it. Jesus did it, dying on the cross, bearing our sins, taking them away. A prophecy that has already come true, but people didn’t realise it was about Jesus until after it had all happened. This is a prophecy about Jesus’ death on the cross and what it was really all about:Bible Passage: Isaiah 53He wasn’t some handsome king. Nothing about the way he looked    made him attractive to us.He was hated and rejected; his life was filled with sorrow    and terrible suffering. No one wanted to look at him. We despised him and said,    “He is a nobody!”He suffered and endured    great pain for us, but we thought his suffering    was punishment from God.He was wounded and crushed    because of our sins; by taking our punishment,    he made us completely well.He was painfully abused,    but he did not complain. He was silent like a lamb    being led to the butcher, as quiet as a sheep    having its wool cut off.He was condemned to death    without a fair trial. Who could have imagined    what would happen to him?The Lord decided his servant    would suffer as a sacrifice to take away the sin    and guilt of others. He did everything    the Lord had planned. Although he is innocent, he will take the punishment    for the sins of others, so that many of them    will no longer be guilty.The Lord will reward him with honor and power    for sacrificing his life. Others thought he was a sinner, but he suffered for our sins    and asked God to forgive us.Question Time!  Why did Jesus go through all of that hardship? Why do you think Christians talk about this over and over again? Think about yourself in the future going through a hard time. What words of wisdom do you want to say to adult you? Maybe you could make it into one sentence and write in down on some paper and stick it somewhere where you can remember it (like on a mirror)  Want more?For all other episodes and more, check out our website at thewordonthestreetpodcast.com Follow Anna on her Facebook Page hereJoin The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group hereLike INSTAGRAM? Follow The Word On The Street Podcast hereFollow Anna on Instagram hereEternity Podcast Network is a collection of carefully considered, Biblically informed, creative productions that aim to fill your ears with seriously good sounds. Head to the Eternity Podcast Network website to browse their range of quality podcasts.

Bible Passage: Hebrews 12:2“He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew that later on he would be glad he did.” Hard times are around us all the time. Everyone experiences them. Even the richest person who has life set experiences hard times. We all get sick, our bodies get old and die. The richest person may not have money problems, their hard times are just different.If you imagine the happiest person in the world, what would their life look like?Travel agencies make me think of a lying in a hammock with a cocktail by the pool on a tropical island. I went to Fiji for my honeymoon years ago and I realised that it is never as good as the photos - the photos aren’t real! It’s hot, muggy, you need a drink, need to go to the toilet, the hammock is to bendy, it rains, you get bored, you’re getting sunburnt, there is no purpose if it is ongoing in your life. It is good to relax for a time, but not forever.You might be thinking of Disneyworld or the fun parks on the Gold Coast. These too would get boring after a while. It’s not real. Real life involves work, accomplishment, love, giving and loss too. What do you think? Would you rather:<ul> <li>Go on a camping holiday or staying in a 5 star hotel?</li> <li>Going to a farm for a holiday or a beach?</li> <li>Going on a cruise for a week or staying at a fun park for a week?</li> </ul> Bible Passage: Hebrews 4:15“Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin!” Story Time!<ul> <li>Jesus is God and he became a human, born as a baby. I can imagine that would be a very humbling thing for the God of the universe to do - to take on the limitations we have to save us.</li> <li>Do you get hangry and then make poor decisions? Jesus was hungry. One time he went without food and drink for 40 days and nights. Satan came after the 40 days and tried to convince him to sin, but he refused, even though he was so weak.</li> <li>His friends did not believe what he taught them.</li> <li>People were disappointed in Jesus. He came late to his friend’s bed but Lazarus was already dead. “If you were here he wouldn’t have died!” Lazarus’s sister told Jesus. Jesus cried.</li> <li>Jesus had friends reject him and betray him. Judas was one of his 12 friends who gave the authorities a way to arrest Jesus away from the crowds. Jesus asked 3 disciples to pray with him hours before he was arrested but they kept falling asleep. Peter disowned Jesus 3 times before the rooster crowed later that same night.</li> <li>Jesus was laughed at. A fake crown and robe was put on Jesus and the people mock-worshipped him. Jesus was hated and ridiculed. This was just a week after he had ridden the donkey into Jerusalem on palms and coats, being celebrated.</li> <li>Jesus’ own father rejected him, leaving him because he bore our sins on the cross. Before that, Jesus asked if he could please not do it. Jesus did it, dying on the cross, bearing our sins, taking them away.</li> </ul> A prophecy that has already come true, but people didn’t realise it was about Jesus until after it had all happened. This is a prophecy about Jesus’ death on the cross and what it was really all about:Bible Passage: Isaiah 53He wasn’t some handsome king.  Nothing about the way he looked     made him attractive to us. He was hated and rejected;  his life was filled with sorrow     and terrible suffering.  No one wanted to look at him.  We despised him and said,     “He is a nobody!”He suffered and endured     great pain for us,  but we thought his suffering     was punishment from God. He was wounded and crushed     because of our sins;  by taking our punishment,     he made us completely well.He was painfully abused,     but he did not complain.  He was silent like a lamb     being led to the butcher,  as quiet as a sheep     having its wool cut off.He was condemned to death     without a fair trial.  Who could have imagined     what would happen to him?The Lord decided his servant     would suffer as a sacrifice  to take away the sin     and guilt of others.  He did everything     the Lord had planned.  Although he is innocent,  he will take the punishment     for the sins of others,  so that many of them     will no longer be guilty.The Lord will reward him  with honor and power     for sacrificing his life.  Others thought he was a sinner,  but he suffered for our sins     and asked God to forgive us. Question Time! <ul> <li>Why did Jesus go through all of that hardship?</li> <li>Why do you think Christians talk about this over and over again?</li> <li>Think about yourself in the future going through a hard time. What words of wisdom do you want to say to adult you? Maybe you could make it into one sentence and write in down on some paper and stick it somewhere where you can remember it (like on a mirror) </li> </ul>Want more? For all other episodes and more, check out our website at <a href="https://www.thewordonthestreetpodcast.com/podcast/thewordonthestreetpodcast.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">thewordonthestreetpodcast.com  </a> Follow Anna on her Facebook Page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thewordonthestreetpodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Join The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/543910553118656" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Like INSTAGRAM?  Follow The Word On The Street Podcast <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thewordonthestreetpodcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Follow Anna on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/annasware/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> <a href="https://www.eternitynews.com.au/podcast-network/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eternity Podcast Network</a> is a collection of carefully considered, Biblically informed, creative productions that aim to fill your ears with seriously good sounds. Head to the Eternity Podcast Network website to browse their range of quality podcasts.

HARD TIMES - Jesus

Do you like being prepared?Such a tricky episode to prepare for! Prophecies.Do you like reading? So many books these days are fantasy and involve prophecies.Learning the prophecies about the end times is important to be prepared.What do you think?Think these things through:Would you like to know what your life will be like before it actually happens? Why/why not?Would you want to know the exact time and details about your death, would you want to know? Why/why not?Bible Passage: Matthew 24Later, as Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him in private and asked, “When will this happen? What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the world?”Jesus answered:Don’t let anyone fool you. Many will come and claim to be me. They will say that they are the Messiah, and they will fool many people.You will soon hear about wars and threats of wars, but don’t be afraid. These things will have to happen first, but that isn’t the end. Nations and kingdoms will go to war against each other. People will starve to death, and in some places there will be earthquakes.But this is just the beginning of troubles.You will be arrested, punished, and even killed. Because of me, you will be hated by people of all nations.Many will give up and will betray and hate each other.Many false prophets will come and fool a lot of people.Evil will spread and cause many people to stop loving others. But if you keep on being faithful right to the end, you will be saved. When the good news about the kingdom has been preached all over the world and told to all nations, the end will come.Someday you will see that “Horrible Thing” in the holy place, just as the prophet Daniel said. Everyone who reads this must try to understand! If you are living in Judea at that time, run to the mountains. If you are on the roof[a] of your house, don’t go inside to get anything. If you are out in the field, don’t go back for your coat. It will be a terrible time for women who are expecting babies or nursing young children. And pray that you won’t have to escape in winter or on a Sabbath. This will be the worst time of suffering since the beginning of the world, and nothing this terrible will ever happen again. If God doesn’t make the time shorter, no one will be left alive. But because of God’s chosen ones, he will make the time shorter.Someone may say, “Here is the Messiah!” or “There he is!” But don’t believe it. False messiahs and false prophets will come and work great miracles and signs. They will even try to fool God’s chosen ones.But I have warned you ahead of time.If you are told that the Messiah is out in the desert, don’t go there! And if you are told that he is in some secret place, don’t believe it!The coming of the Son of Man will be like lightning that can be seen from east to west. Story Time!The apostle John: John was a fisherman and was part of Jesus’ inner circle John was there before Jesus died John had a brother James, and was always mentioned first so we can assume that James was the older brother. John wrote one of the gospels and referred to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” rather than saying me or I or John. Jesus entrusted John to care for his mother after he was gone. John also wrote 3 letters that are part of the bible today, titled 1 John, 2 John and 3 John. All his books are focussed on the topic of love and truth. It is believed that John was the only apostle to die from old age - all the others were killed for their faith in Jesus. Traditional sources claim that John was the only apostle to live a long life and die of natural causes. That, however, doesn’t mean that he never faced persecution. The same sources claim that the Romans tried to poison John with a cup of wine. When that didn’t work, they threw him into a vat of boiling oil. When he still didn’t die, they exiled him to the island of Patmos. While there he received a huge vision from God and he wrote them down. They are all in the last book of the bible called Revelation. Bible Passage: Revelation 13:1-8I looked and saw a beast coming up from the sea. This one had ten horns and seven heads, and a crown was on each of its ten horns. On each of its heads were names that were an insult to God. The beast that I saw had the body of a leopard, the feet of a bear, and the mouth of a lion. The dragon handed over its own power and throne and great authority to this beast. One of its heads seemed to have been fatally wounded, but now it was well. Everyone on earth marveled at this beast, and they worshiped the dragon who had given its authority to the beast. They also worshiped the beast and said, “No one is like this beast! No one can fight against it.”The beast was allowed to brag and claim to be God, and for forty-two months it was allowed to rule. The beast cursed God, and it cursed the name of God. It even cursed the place where God lives, as well as everyone who lives in heaven with God.It was allowed to fight against God’s people and defeat them. It was also given authority over the people of every tribe, nation, language, and race.The beast was worshiped by everyone whose name wasn’t written before the time of creation in the book of the Lamb who was killed.  Bible Passage: Revelation 13:11:17I now saw another beast. This one came out of the ground. It had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon.It worked for the beast whose fatal wound had been healed. And it used all its authority to force the earth and its people to worship that beast. It worked mighty miracles, and while people watched, it even made fire come down from the sky.This second beast fooled people on earth by working miracles for the first one. Then it talked them into making an idol in the form of the beast that did not die after being wounded by a sword.It was allowed to put breath into the idol, so that it could speak. Everyone who refused to worship the idol of the beast was put to death. All people were forced to put a mark on their right hand or forehead. Whether they were powerful or weak, rich or poor, free people or slaves, they all had to have this mark, or else they could not buy or sell anything. This mark stood for the name of the beast and for the number of its name.Question Time!  Do you want Jesus to come back and to see these things with your own eyes or would you rather live your life and die of old age and not see them? When you feel scared, what facts can you remind yourself of that will be of comfort to you? Want more?For all other episodes and more, check out our website at thewordonthestreetpodcast.com Follow Anna on her Facebook Page hereJoin The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group hereLike INSTAGRAM? Follow The Word On The Street Podcast hereFollow Anna on Instagram hereEternity Podcast Network is a collection of carefully considered, Biblically informed, creative productions that aim to fill your ears with seriously good sounds. Head to the Eternity Podcast Network website to browse their range of quality podcasts.

Do you like being prepared?Such a tricky episode to prepare for! Prophecies.Do you like reading? So many books these days are fantasy and involve prophecies.Learning the prophecies about the end times is important to be prepared.What do you think?Think these things through:Would you like to know what your life will be like before it actually happens? Why/why not?Would you want to know the exact time and details about your death, would you want to know? Why/why not?Bible Passage: Matthew 24 Later, as Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him in private and asked, “When will this happen? What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the world?” Jesus answered: Don’t let anyone fool you. Many will come and claim to be me. They will say that they are the Messiah, and they will fool many people. You will soon hear about wars and threats of wars, but don’t be afraid. These things will have to happen first, but that isn’t the end. Nations and kingdoms will go to war against each other. People will starve to death, and in some places there will be earthquakes.But this is just the beginning of troubles. You will be arrested, punished, and even killed. Because of me, you will be hated by people of all nations.Many will give up and will betray and hate each other.Many false prophets will come and fool a lot of people.Evil will spread and cause many people to stop loving others. But if you keep on being faithful right to the end, you will be saved. When the good news about the kingdom has been preached all over the world and told to all nations, the end will come. Someday you will see that “Horrible Thing” in the holy place, just as the prophet Daniel said. Everyone who reads this must try to understand! If you are living in Judea at that time, run to the mountains. If you are on the roof[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matt+24&amp;version=CEV#fen-CEV-21942a" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a</a>] of your house, don’t go inside to get anything. If you are out in the field, don’t go back for your coat. It will be a terrible time for women who are expecting babies or nursing young children. And pray that you won’t have to escape in winter or on a Sabbath. This will be the worst time of suffering since the beginning of the world, and nothing this terrible will ever happen again. If God doesn’t make the time shorter, no one will be left alive. But because of God’s chosen ones, he will make the time shorter. Someone may say, “Here is the Messiah!” or “There he is!” But don’t believe it. False messiahs and false prophets will come and work great miracles and signs. They will even try to fool God’s chosen ones.But I have warned you ahead of time.If you are told that the Messiah is out in the desert, don’t go there! And if you are told that he is in some secret place, don’t believe it!The coming of the Son of Man will be like lightning that can be seen from east to west.  Story Time! The apostle John:<ul> <li>John was a fisherman and was part of Jesus’ inner circle</li> <li>John was there before Jesus died</li> <li>John had a brother James, and was always mentioned first so we can assume that James was the older brother.</li> <li>John wrote one of the gospels and referred to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” rather than saying me or I or John.</li> <li>Jesus entrusted John to care for his mother after he was gone.</li> <li>John also wrote 3 letters that are part of the bible today, titled 1 John, 2 John and 3 John. All his books are focussed on the topic of love and truth.</li> <li>It is believed that John was the only apostle to die from old age - all the others were killed for their faith in Jesus. Traditional sources claim that John was the only apostle to live a long life and die of natural causes. That, however, doesn’t mean that he never faced persecution. The same sources claim that the Romans tried to poison John with a cup of wine. When that didn’t work, they threw him into a vat of boiling oil. When he still didn’t die, they exiled him to the island of Patmos. While there he received a huge vision from God and he wrote them down. They are all in the last book of the bible called Revelation.</li> </ul> Bible Passage: Revelation 13:1-8 I looked and saw a beast coming up from the sea. This one had ten horns and seven heads, and a crown was on each of its ten horns. On each of its heads were names that were an insult to God. The beast that I saw had the body of a leopard, the feet of a bear, and the mouth of a lion. The dragon handed over its own power and throne and great authority to this beast. One of its heads seemed to have been fatally wounded, but now it was well. Everyone on earth marveled at this beast, and they worshiped the dragon who had given its authority to the beast. They also worshiped the beast and said, “No one is like this beast! No one can fight against it.” The beast was allowed to brag and claim to be God, and for forty-two months it was allowed to rule. The beast cursed God, and it cursed the name of God. It even cursed the place where God lives, as well as everyone who lives in heaven with <a href="http://God.It" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">God.It</a> was allowed to fight against God’s people and defeat them. It was also given authority over the people of every tribe, nation, language, and race.The beast was worshiped by everyone whose name wasn’t written before the time of creation in the book of the Lamb who was killed. Bible Passage: Revelation 13:11:17 I now saw another beast. This one came out of the ground. It had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a <a href="http://dragon.It" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">dragon.It</a> worked for the beast whose fatal wound had been healed. And it used all its authority to force the earth and its people to worship that beast. It worked mighty miracles, and while people watched, it even made fire come down from the sky. This second beast fooled people on earth by working miracles for the first one. Then it talked them into making an idol in the form of the beast that did not die after being wounded by a <a href="http://sword.It" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">sword.It</a> was allowed to put breath into the idol, so that it could speak. Everyone who refused to worship the idol of the beast was put to death. All people were forced to put a mark on their right hand or forehead. Whether they were powerful or weak, rich or poor, free people or slaves, they all had to have this mark, or else they could not buy or sell anything. This mark stood for the name of the beast and for the number of its name. Question Time! <ul> <li>Do you want Jesus to come back and to see these things with your own eyes or would you rather live your life and die of old age and not see them?</li> <li>When you feel scared, what facts can you remind yourself of that will be of comfort to you?</li> </ul> Want more? For all other episodes and more, check out our website at <a href="https://www.thewordonthestreetpodcast.com/podcast/thewordonthestreetpodcast.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">thewordonthestreetpodcast.com  </a> Follow Anna on her Facebook Page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thewordonthestreetpodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Join The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/543910553118656" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Like INSTAGRAM?  Follow The Word On The Street Podcast <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thewordonthestreetpodcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Follow Anna on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/annasware/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> <a href="https://www.eternitynews.com.au/podcast-network/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eternity Podcast Network</a> is a collection of carefully considered, Biblically informed, creative productions that aim to fill your ears with seriously good sounds. Head to the Eternity Podcast Network website to browse their range of quality podcasts.

HARD TIMES - Still To Come

Bullying used to happen in schools way more than it does now. In fact, the biggest bullies in my school were actually the year 5 and 6 teachers! Every time I had to answer a question in front of the class, I spoke very quietly, unsure if it was wrong and the teacher would laugh at me. One time I filled in an English test wrongly because I didn’t know what a brownie was and Mr Anderson had the whole class in stitches laughing at my answers. It was cruel and unfair.Have you been bullied? What for?Persecution is being bullied for a specific reason. It is "unfair or cruel treatment over a long period of time because of race, religion, or political beliefs."Paul experienced a lot of persecution based on his beliefs in Jesus, and the Bible talks about suffering due to our beliefs (persecution) quite a lot.In Australia we aren’t really persecuted much, and definitely not to the extent Paul was.But that doesn’t mean that we should not talk about it!What do you think?Yes or No? Your friends laugh at you because you believe in Jesus. You don’t want to ask a friend to come to church because you are worried that they might say mean things about it. Your friends love coming along to church with you. Your friends say they believe in Jesus but they don’t come to church. Wanting to fit in can feel very important, but more important is sticking up for God when people are putting him down, and letting people know that you are serious about your beliefs.Bible Passage: 2 Timothy 3:12“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”Bible Passage: Matthew 5:10“Blessed are those who are persecuted.” Story Time! Paul was blinded by God and then healed by God. Paul was opposed by other disciples. Paul travelled around preaching Jesus to every town as no one had heard the gospel at all at this point. He ended up bringing so many people to God that a group of people who didn’t believe or like his message started following him around and turning each crowd against them. Paul was stoned and left for dead. Paul was shipwrecked and bitten by a deadly snake.  Bible Passage: Acts 14:19-20"Some Jewish leaders turned the crowds against Paul. They hit him with stones and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead.But when the Lord’s followers gathered around Paul, he stood up and went back into the city.”Paul was whipped without sentencing and as a Roman citizen and thrown in jail for the night with a man named Silas. They sang songs all night and God opened up the gates of the jail, showing he was with them and happy with their actions.Paul was in jail for lengthy periods of time, where he was able to tell all the prisoners about JesusPaul went to trial and in front of the judge and everyone in the room, he told everyone why they should all believe in Jesus! Paul used every opportunity to convert people to Christianity.Don’t act in a way that will avoid persecution. Face it with strength like Paul, knowing that when you are weak, God is strong.Question Time!  Think of the way you handle hard times. What do you normally do and say and how do people see Jesus in your actions? Have you ever been persecuted because of your faith in Jesus? Talk about what happened together. Want more?For all other episodes and more, check out our website at thewordonthestreetpodcast.com Follow Anna on her Facebook Page hereJoin The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group hereLike INSTAGRAM? Follow The Word On The Street Podcast hereFollow Anna on Instagram hereEternity Podcast Network is a collection of carefully considered, Biblically informed, creative productions that aim to fill your ears with seriously good sounds. Head to the Eternity Podcast Network website to browse their range of quality podcasts.

Bullying used to happen in schools way more than it does now. In fact, the biggest bullies in my school were actually the year 5 and 6 teachers! Every time I had to answer a question in front of the class, I spoke very quietly, unsure if it was wrong and the teacher would laugh at me. One time I filled in an English test wrongly because I didn’t know what a brownie was and Mr Anderson had the whole class in stitches laughing at my answers. It was cruel and unfair.Have you been bullied? What for?Persecution is being bullied for a specific reason. It is "<a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/unfair" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">unfair</a> or <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/cruel" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">cruel</a> <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/treatment" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">treatment</a> over a <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/long" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">long</a> <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/period" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">period</a> of <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/time" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">time</a> because of <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/race" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">race</a>, <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/religion" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">religion</a>, or <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/political" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">political</a> <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/belief" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">beliefs</a>."Paul experienced a lot of persecution based on his beliefs in Jesus, and the Bible talks about suffering due to our beliefs (persecution) quite a lot.In Australia we aren’t really persecuted much, and definitely not to the extent Paul was.But that doesn’t mean that we should not talk about it! What do you think? Yes or No?<ul> <li>Your friends laugh at you because you believe in Jesus.</li> <li>You don’t want to ask a friend to come to church because you are worried that they might say mean things about it.</li> <li>Your friends love coming along to church with you.</li> <li>Your friends say they believe in Jesus but they don’t come to church.</li> </ul> Wanting to fit in can feel very important, but more important is sticking up for God when people are putting him down, and letting people know that you are serious about your beliefs.Bible Passage: 2 Timothy 3:12“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Bible Passage: Matthew 5:10“Blessed are those who are persecuted.” Story Time!<ul> <li>Paul was blinded by God and then healed by God.</li> <li>Paul was opposed by other disciples.</li> <li>Paul travelled around preaching Jesus to every town as no one had heard the gospel at all at this point. He ended up bringing so many people to God that a group of people who didn’t believe or like his message started following him around and turning each crowd against them.</li> <li>Paul was stoned and left for dead.</li> <li>Paul was shipwrecked and bitten by a deadly snake. </li> </ul> Bible Passage: Acts 14:19-20 "Some Jewish leaders turned the crowds against Paul. They hit him with stones and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead.But when the Lord’s followers gathered around Paul, he stood up and went back into the city.” Paul was whipped without sentencing and as a Roman citizen and thrown in jail for the night with a man named Silas. They sang songs all night and God opened up the gates of the jail, showing he was with them and happy with their actions. Paul was in jail for lengthy periods of time, where he was able to tell all the prisoners about Jesus Paul went to trial and in front of the judge and everyone in the room, he told everyone why they should all believe in Jesus! Paul used every opportunity to convert people to Christianity. Don’t act in a way that will avoid persecution. Face it with strength like Paul, knowing that when you are weak, God is strong.Question Time! <ol> <li>Think of the way you handle hard times. What do you normally do and say and how do people see Jesus in your actions?</li> <li>Have you ever been persecuted because of your faith in Jesus? Talk about what happened together.</li> </ol> Want more? For all other episodes and more, check out our website at <a href="https://www.thewordonthestreetpodcast.com/podcast/thewordonthestreetpodcast.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">thewordonthestreetpodcast.com  </a> Follow Anna on her Facebook Page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thewordonthestreetpodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Join The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/543910553118656" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Like INSTAGRAM?  Follow The Word On The Street Podcast <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thewordonthestreetpodcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Follow Anna on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/annasware/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> <a href="https://www.eternitynews.com.au/podcast-network/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eternity Podcast Network</a> is a collection of carefully considered, Biblically informed, creative productions that aim to fill your ears with seriously good sounds. Head to the Eternity Podcast Network website to browse their range of quality podcasts.

HARD TIMES - Paul

When I began this podcast I didn’t want to just start and then stop again because it was too hard. I listened to a podcast all about creating podcast episodes, I planned and I learned all about success, because that is what I wanted this to be. One of the main keys to success is perseverance. Perseverance is the continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.In hard times, we are going to experience difficulties, failures of people opposing us. We need to persevere, keep putting in effort, so that we can get closer to our goal.I have had difficulties producing some episodes, I have had trouble finding the time to do it, especially during school holidays and the covid lockdowns. I have had trouble finding the motivation to get it done sometimes, and I just want to watch TV and relax. Some days I feel like a failure and like it’s not a good show. I keep going. WHY? Because I am committed to the goal of getting an episode out to you every Monday of school term and I believe it is a priority. I am learning about how to persevere.Have you ever had a goal that you have worked to despite difficulties, failure or opposition? I’m thinking of Sharni, who is learning the piano, but most days she doesn’t feel like practising, but does anyway. Do you learn a musical instrument? Do you go to training for a sport? Even school can give you skills in perseverance in a way, working towards being able to read and do maths. In working towards a goal or towards mastery, you are practising perseverance.What do you think?Guess this sound. What is it? Are you sure? Listen to the sound again.What if I offered you a million dollars to change your answer to a donkey. Would you do it?What if I threatened to hurt you with a sword to get you to change your answer to a mouse. Would that change your answer?I can understand you wanting to change your answer for those reasons, because it doesn’t really matter in the scheme of things what the sound is. What if you were doing something very important, like feeding the poor or saving someone’s life, and someone offered you millions of dollars to stop doing it.Or what if you were telling everyone about Jesus but someone kept threatening you with a sword. Would you keep doing it?Story Time!Bible Passage: Nehemiah 1They told me, “Those captives who have come back are having all kinds of troubles. They are terribly disgraced, Jerusalem’s walls are broken down, and its gates have been burned.”When I heard this, I sat down and cried. Then for several days, I mourned; I went without eating to show my sorrow, and I prayed:Please remember the promise you made to Moses. You told him that if we were unfaithful, you would scatter us among foreign nations. 9 But you also said that no matter how far away we were, we could turn to you and start obeying your laws. Then you would bring us back to the place where you have chosen to be worshiped.Our Lord, I am praying for your servants—those you rescued by your great strength and mighty power. 11 Please answer my prayer and the prayer of your other servants who gladly honor your name. When I serve the king his wine today, make him pleased with me and have him do what I ask.Nehemiah 2Artaxerxes was king, I served him his wine, as I had done before. But this was the first time I had ever looked depressed. So the king said, “Why do you look so sad? You’re not sick. Something must be bothering you.”Even though I was frightened,I answered, “Your Majesty, I hope you live forever! I feel sad because the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and its gates have been burned down.”The king asked, “What do you want me to do?”I prayed to the God who rules from heaven.Then I told the king, “Sir, if it’s all right with you, please send me back to Judah, so that I can rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”The queen was sitting beside the king when he asked me, “How long will it take, and when will you be back?” The king agreed to let me go, and I told him when I would return.Three days after arriving in Jerusalem,I got up during the night and left my house. I took some men with me, without telling anyone what I thought God wanted me to do for the city. The only animal I took was the donkey I rode on. I went through Valley Gate on the west, then south past Dragon Spring, before coming to Garbage Gate. As I rode along, I took a good look at the crumbled walls of the city and the gates that had been torn down and burned. On the east side of the city, I headed north to Fountain Gate and King’s Pool, but then the trail became too narrow for my donkey. So I went down to Kidron Valley and looked at the wall from there. Then before daylight I returned to the city through Valley Gate.None of the city officials knew what I had in mind. And I had not even told any of the Jews—not the priests, the leaders, the officials, or any other Jews who would be helping in the work. 17 But when I got back, I said to them, “Jerusalem is truly in a mess! The gates have been torn down and burned, and everything is in ruins. We must rebuild the city wall so that we can again take pride in our city.”Then I told them how kind God had been and what the king had said.Immediately, they replied, “Let’s start building now!” So they got everything ready.When Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard about our plans, they started insulting us and saying, “Just look at you! Do you plan to rebuild the walls of the city and rebel against the king?”I answered, “We are servants of the God who rules from heaven, and he will make our work succeed.Each family group or clan got to work on a different section of the wall and the priests and levites helped too. Nehemiah 3When Sanballat, the governor of Samaria, heard that we were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, he became angry and started insulting our people.In front of his friends and the Samaritan army he said, “What is this feeble bunch of Jews trying to do? Are they going to rebuild the wall and offer sacrifices all in one day? Do they think they can make something out of this pile of scorched stones?”Tobiah from Ammon was standing beside Sanballat and said, “Look at the wall they are building! Why, even a fox could knock over this pile of stones.”But I prayed, “Our God, these people hate us and have wished horrible things for us. Please answer our prayers and make their insults fall on them! Let them be the ones to be dragged away as prisoners of war. Don’t forgive the mean and evil way they have insulted the builders.”The people worked hard, and we built the walls of Jerusalem halfway up again.But Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the people from the city of Ashdod saw the walls going up and the holes being repaired. So they became angryand decided to stir up trouble, and to fight against the people of Jerusalem. But we kept on praying to our God, and we also stationed guards day and night.Meanwhile, the people of Judah were singing a sorrowful song:“So much rubble for us to haul!     Worn out and weary, will we ever finish this wall?”Our enemies were saying, “Before those Jews know what has happened, we will sneak up and kill them and put an end to their work.”On at least ten different occasions, the Jews living near our enemies warned us against attacks from every side,and so I sent people to guard the wall at its lowest places and where there were still holes in it. I placed them according to families, and they stood guard with swords and spears and with bows and arrowsThen I looked things over and told the leaders, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of your enemies! The Lord is great and fearsome. So think of him and fight for your relatives and children, your wives and homes!”Our enemies found out that we knew about their plot against us, but God kept them from doing what they had planned. So we went back to work on the wall. From then on, I let half of the young men work while the other half stood guard. They wore armor and had spears and shields, as well as bows and arrows. The leaders helped the workerswho were rebuilding the wall. Everyone who hauled building materials kept one hand free to carry a weapon.Even the workers who were rebuilding the wall strapped on a sword. The worker who was to blow the signal trumpet stayed with me.I told the people and their officials and leaders, “Our work is so spread out, that we are a long way from one another. If you hear the sound of the trumpet, come quickly and gather around me. Our God will help us fight.”Every day from dawn to dark, half of the workers rebuilt the walls, while the rest stood guard with their spears.I asked the men in charge and their workers to stay inside Jerusalem and stand guard at night. So they guarded the city at night and worked during the day. I even slept in my work clothes at night; my children, the workers, and the guards slept in theirs as well. And we always kept our weapons close by.On the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, the wall was completely rebuilt. It had taken fifty-two days. When our enemies in the surrounding nations learned that the work was finished, they felt helpless, because they knew that our God had helped us rebuild the wall.They got together and read from the Word of God. Many people had never heard the words in their lifetime, because Israel had wandered far from God and forgotten all the promises God had given to Abraham and the teachings he had given Moses. They wept and began obeying God’s words once more.In your life you will have goals, some big and some small. Some may be for yourself, some for other people, some for God. Don’t let anyone stand in the way of your missions for God!Question Time!  Share of times when you have had to persevere. What happened? Think of some examples of having to persevere as a Christian. Do you think you would be able to do it? Want more?For all other episodes and more, check out our website at thewordonthestreetpodcast.com Follow Anna on her Facebook Page hereJoin The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group hereLike INSTAGRAM? Follow The Word On The Street Podcast hereFollow Anna on Instagram hereEternity Podcast Network is a collection of carefully considered, Biblically informed, creative productions that aim to fill your ears with seriously good sounds. Head to the Eternity Podcast Network website to browse their range of quality podcasts.

When I began this podcast I didn’t want to just start and then stop again because it was too hard. I listened to a podcast all about creating podcast episodes, I planned and I learned all about success, because that is what I wanted this to be. One of the main keys to success is perseverance. Perseverance is the continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.In hard times, we are going to experience difficulties, failures of people opposing us. We need to persevere, keep putting in effort, so that we can get closer to our goal.I have had difficulties producing some episodes, I have had trouble finding the time to do it, especially during school holidays and the covid lockdowns. I have had trouble finding the motivation to get it done sometimes, and I just want to watch TV and relax. Some days I feel like a failure and like it’s not a good show. I keep going. WHY? Because I am committed to the goal of getting an episode out to you every Monday of school term and I believe it is a priority. I am learning about how to persevere.Have you ever had a goal that you have worked to despite difficulties, failure or opposition? I’m thinking of Sharni, who is learning the piano, but most days she doesn’t feel like practising, but does anyway. Do you learn a musical instrument? Do you go to training for a sport? Even school can give you skills in perseverance in a way, working towards being able to read and do maths. In working towards a goal or towards mastery, you are practising perseverance.What do you think? Guess this sound. What is it? Are you sure? Listen to the sound again.What if I offered you a million dollars to change your answer to a donkey. Would you do it?What if I threatened to hurt you with a sword to get you to change your answer to a mouse. Would that change your answer?I can understand you wanting to change your answer for those reasons, because it doesn’t really matter in the scheme of things what the sound is. What if you were doing something very important, like feeding the poor or saving someone’s life, and someone offered you millions of dollars to stop doing it.Or what if you were telling everyone about Jesus but someone kept threatening you with a sword. Would you keep doing it? Story Time! Bible Passage: Nehemiah 1 They told me, “Those captives who have come back are having all kinds of troubles. They are terribly disgraced, Jerusalem’s walls are broken down, and its gates have been burned.”When I heard this, I sat down and cried. Then for several days, I mourned; I went without eating to show my sorrow, and I prayed: Please remember the promise you made to Moses. You told him that if we were unfaithful, you would scatter us among foreign nations. 9 But you also said that no matter how far away we were, we could turn to you and start obeying your laws. Then you would bring us back to the place where you have chosen to be worshiped. Our Lord, I am praying for your servants—those you rescued by your great strength and mighty power. 11 Please answer my prayer and the prayer of your other servants who gladly honor your name. When I serve the king his wine today, make him pleased with me and have him do what I ask.Nehemiah 2 Artaxerxes was king, I served him his wine, as I had done before. But this was the first time I had ever looked depressed. So the king said, “Why do you look so sad? You’re not sick. Something must be bothering you.” Even though I was frightened,I answered, “Your Majesty, I hope you live forever! I feel sad because the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and its gates have been burned down.” The king asked, “What do you want me to do?” I prayed to the God who rules from heaven.Then I told the king, “Sir, if it’s all right with you, please send me back to Judah, so that I can rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.” The queen was sitting beside the king when he asked me, “How long will it take, and when will you be back?” The king agreed to let me go, and I told him when I would return. Three days after arriving in Jerusalem,I got up during the night and left my house. I took some men with me, without telling anyone what I thought God wanted me to do for the city. The only animal I took was the donkey I rode on. I went through Valley Gate on the west, then south past Dragon Spring, before coming to Garbage Gate. As I rode along, I took a good look at the crumbled walls of the city and the gates that had been torn down and burned. On the east side of the city, I headed north to Fountain Gate and King’s Pool, but then the trail became too narrow for my donkey. So I went down to Kidron Valley and looked at the wall from there. Then before daylight I returned to the city through Valley Gate.None of the city officials knew what I had in mind. And I had not even told any of the Jews—not the priests, the leaders, the officials, or any other Jews who would be helping in the work. 17 But when I got back, I said to them, “Jerusalem is truly in a mess! The gates have been torn down and burned, and everything is in ruins. We must rebuild the city wall so that we can again take pride in our city.”Then I told them how kind God had been and what the king had said. Immediately, they replied, “Let’s start building now!” So they got everything ready. When Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard about our plans, they started insulting us and saying, “Just look at you! Do you plan to rebuild the walls of the city and rebel against the king?” I answered, “We are servants of the God who rules from heaven, and he will make our work succeed. Each family group or clan got to work on a different section of the wall and the priests and levites helped too.  Nehemiah 3 When Sanballat, the governor of Samaria, heard that we were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, he became angry and started insulting our <a href="http://people.In" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">people.In</a> front of his friends and the Samaritan army he said, “What is this feeble bunch of Jews trying to do? Are they going to rebuild the wall and offer sacrifices all in one day? Do they think they can make something out of this pile of scorched stones?” Tobiah from Ammon was standing beside Sanballat and said, “Look at the wall they are building! Why, even a fox could knock over this pile of stones.” But I prayed, “Our God, these people hate us and have wished horrible things for us. Please answer our prayers and make their insults fall on them! Let them be the ones to be dragged away as prisoners of war. Don’t forgive the mean and evil way they have insulted the builders.”The people worked hard, and we built the walls of Jerusalem halfway up again.But Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the people from the city of Ashdod saw the walls going up and the holes being repaired. So they became angryand decided to stir up trouble, and to fight against the people of Jerusalem. But we kept on praying to our God, and we also stationed guards day and night. Meanwhile, the people of Judah were singing a sorrowful song: “So much rubble for us to haul!      Worn out and weary,  will we ever finish this wall?”Our enemies were saying, “Before those Jews know what has happened, we will sneak up and kill them and put an end to their work.” On at least ten different occasions, the Jews living near our enemies warned us against attacks from every side,and so I sent people to guard the wall at its lowest places and where there were still holes in it. I placed them according to families, and they stood guard with swords and spears and with bows and arrowsThen I looked things over and told the leaders, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of your enemies! The Lord is great and fearsome. So think of him and fight for your relatives and children, your wives and homes!”Our enemies found out that we knew about their plot against us, but God kept them from doing what they had planned. So we went back to work on the wall. From then on, I let half of the young men work while the other half stood guard. They wore armor and had spears and shields, as well as bows and arrows. The leaders helped the workerswho were rebuilding the wall. Everyone who hauled building materials kept one hand free to carry a weapon.Even the workers who were rebuilding the wall strapped on a sword. The worker who was to blow the signal trumpet stayed with me. I told the people and their officials and leaders, “Our work is so spread out, that we are a long way from one another. If you hear the sound of the trumpet, come quickly and gather around me. Our God will help us fight.” Every day from dawn to dark, half of the workers rebuilt the walls, while the rest stood guard with their spears. I asked the men in charge and their workers to stay inside Jerusalem and stand guard at night. So they guarded the city at night and worked during the day. I even slept in my work clothes at night; my children, the workers, and the guards slept in theirs as well. And we always kept our weapons close by. On the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, the wall was completely rebuilt. It had taken fifty-two days. When our enemies in the surrounding nations learned that the work was finished, they felt helpless, because they knew that our God had helped us rebuild the wall. They got together and read from the Word of God. Many people had never heard the words in their lifetime, because Israel had wandered far from God and forgotten all the promises God had given to Abraham and the teachings he had given Moses. They wept and began obeying God’s words once more. In your life you will have goals, some big and some small. Some may be for yourself, some for other people, some for God. Don’t let anyone stand in the way of your missions for God! Question Time! <ol> <li>Share of times when you have had to persevere. What happened?</li> <li>Think of some examples of having to persevere as a Christian. Do you think you would be able to do it?</li> </ol> Want more? For all other episodes and more, check out our website at <a href="https://www.thewordonthestreetpodcast.com/podcast/thewordonthestreetpodcast.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">thewordonthestreetpodcast.com  </a> Follow Anna on her Facebook Page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thewordonthestreetpodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Join The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/543910553118656" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Like INSTAGRAM?  Follow The Word On The Street Podcast <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thewordonthestreetpodcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Follow Anna on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/annasware/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> <a href="https://www.eternitynews.com.au/podcast-network/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eternity Podcast Network</a> is a collection of carefully considered, Biblically informed, creative productions that aim to fill your ears with seriously good sounds. Head to the Eternity Podcast Network website to browse their range of quality podcasts.

HARD TIMES - Nehemiah

Have you ever read a really sad story? Or watched a really sad movie? Finding Nemo starts off pretty sad. When I was in high school I read Tess of the D’Urbervilles, and everyone told me what a sad sad story it was. Only I read half way through the book and it wasn’t that sad. I remember thinking that Tess’s life must go all downhill from here. And it did.Who is in control? Who has ultimate authority? Who allows sin to happen? Why?These things are answered in the very old book of Job.What do you think? Would you rather… A broken arm or a broken leg? A bandaid on your ear or a bandaid on your eye? A sore throat or a snotty nose? Not being able to see or not being able to hear? Painful sores all over your body, or not being able to feel anything at all? Story Time!Bible Passage: Job 1Many years ago, a man named Job lived in the land of Uz.[a] He was a truly good person, who respected God and refused to do evil.2 Job had seven sons and three daughters. 3 He owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred pair of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and a large number of servants. He was the richest person in the East.4 Job’s sons took turns having feasts in their homes, and they always invited their three sisters to join in the eating and drinking. 5 After each feast, Job would send for his children and perform a ceremony, as a way of asking God to forgive them of any wrongs they may have done. He would get up early the next morning and offer a sacrifice for each of them, just in case they had sinned or silently cursed God.6 One day, when the angels[b] had gathered around the Lord, and Satan[c] was there with them, 7 the Lord asked, “Satan, where have you been?”Satan replied, “I have been going all over the earth.”8 Then the Lord asked, “What do you think of my servant Job? No one on earth is like him—he is a truly good person, who respects me and refuses to do evil.”9 “Why shouldn’t he respect you?” Satan remarked. 10 “You are like a wall protecting not only him, but his entire family and all his property. You make him successful in whatever he does, and his flocks and herds are everywhere. 11 Try taking away everything he owns, and he will curse you to your face.”12 The Lord replied, “All right, Satan, do what you want with anything that belongs to him, but don’t harm Job.”Then Satan left.13 Job’s sons and daughters were having a feast in the home of his oldest son, 14 when someone rushed up to Job and said, “While your servants were plowing with your oxen, and your donkeys were nearby eating grass, 15 a gang of Sabeans[d] attacked and stole the oxen and donkeys! Your other servants were killed, and I was the only one who escaped to tell you.”16 That servant was still speaking, when a second one came running up and saying, “God sent down a fire that killed your sheep and your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”17 Before that servant finished speaking, a third one raced up and said, “Three gangs of Chaldeans[e] attacked and stole your camels! All of your other servants were killed, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”18 That servant was still speaking, when a fourth one dashed up and said, “Your children were having a feast and drinking wine at the home of your oldest son, 19 when suddenly a windstorm from the desert blew the house down, crushing all of your children. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”20 When Job heard this, he tore his clothes and shaved his head because of his great sorrow. He knelt on the ground, then worshiped God 21 and said:“We bring nothing at birth; we take nothing     with us at death. The Lord alone gives and takes. Praise the name of the Lord!”22 In spite of everything, Job did not sin or accuse God of doing wrong.Bible Passage: Job 2When the angels[a] gathered around the Lord again, Satan[b] was there with them, 2 and the Lord asked, “Satan, where have you been?”Satan replied, “I have been going all over the earth.”3 Then the Lord asked, “What do you think of my servant Job? No one on earth is like him—he is a truly good person, who respects me and refuses to do evil. And he hasn’t changed, even though you persuaded me to destroy him for no reason.”4 Satan answered, “There’s no pain like your own.[c] People will do anything to stay alive. 5 Try striking Job’s own body with pain, and he will curse you to your face.”6 “All right!” the Lord replied. “Make Job suffer as much as you want, but just don’t kill him.” 7 Satan left and caused painful sores to break out all over Job’s body—from head to toe.8 Then Job sat on the ash-heap to show his sorrow. And while he was scraping his sores with a broken piece of pottery, 9 his wife asked, “Why do you still trust God? Why don’t you curse him and die?”10 Job replied, “Don’t talk like a fool! If we accept blessings from God, we must accept trouble as well.” In all that happened, Job never once said anything against God.11 Eliphaz from Teman, Bildad from Shuah, and Zophar from Naamah[d] were three of Job’s friends, and they heard about his troubles. So they agreed to visit Job and comfort him. 12 When they came near enough to see Job, they could hardly recognize him. And in their great sorrow, they tore their clothes, then sprinkled dust on their heads and cried bitterly. 13 For seven days and nights, they sat silently on the ground beside him, because they realized what terrible pain he was in.Those 3 friends and Job’s wife took turns trying to convince Job to curse God and then give up the will to live and just die. But Job refused. He continued to worship God, even though he had nothing left. God was very proud of Job and he rewarded him for his faithfulness.Bible Passage: Job 42:10 "After Job had prayed for his three friends, the Lord made Job twice as rich as he had been before.Bible Passage: Job 42:23 "The Lord now blessed Job more than ever; he gave him fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand pair of oxen, and a thousand donkeys. In addition to seven sons, Job had three daughters."God is in control and has ultimate authority. God has his reasons for you enduring hard times.Trust him.Question Time! Do you think experiencing hard times would be something you would want to go through in order to grow in maturity and wisdom and strength? Why/why not?Want more?For all other episodes and more, check out our website at thewordonthestreetpodcast.com Follow Anna on her Facebook Page hereJoin The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group hereLike INSTAGRAM? Follow The Word On The Street Podcast hereFollow Anna on Instagram hereEternity Podcast Network is a collection of carefully considered, Biblically informed, creative productions that aim to fill your ears with seriously good sounds. Head to the Eternity Podcast Network website to browse their range of quality podcasts.

Have you ever read a really sad story? Or watched a really sad movie? Finding Nemo starts off pretty sad. When I was in high school I read Tess of the D’Urbervilles, and everyone told me what a sad sad story it was. Only I read half way through the book and it wasn’t that sad. I remember thinking that Tess’s life must go all downhill from here. And it did.Who is in control? Who has ultimate authority? Who allows sin to happen? Why?These things are answered in the very old book of Job. What do you think?<ul> <li>Would you rather…</li> <li>A broken arm or a broken leg?</li> <li>A bandaid on your ear or a bandaid on your eye?</li> <li>A sore throat or a snotty nose?</li> <li>Not being able to see or not being able to hear?</li> <li>Painful sores all over your body, or not being able to feel anything at all?</li> </ul> Story Time! Bible Passage: Job 1 Many years ago, a man named Job lived in the land of Uz.[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%201&amp;version=CEV#fen-CEV-11064a" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a</a>] He was a truly good person, who respected God and refused to do evil. 2 Job had seven sons and three daughters. 3 He owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred pair of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and a large number of servants. He was the richest person in the East. 4 Job’s sons took turns having feasts in their homes, and they always invited their three sisters to join in the eating and drinking. 5 After each feast, Job would send for his children and perform a ceremony, as a way of asking God to forgive them of any wrongs they may have done. He would get up early the next morning and offer a sacrifice for each of them, just in case they had sinned or silently cursed God. 6 One day, when the angels[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%201&amp;version=CEV#fen-CEV-11069b" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">b</a>] had gathered around the Lord, and Satan[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%201&amp;version=CEV#fen-CEV-11069c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">c</a>] was there with them, 7 the Lord asked, “Satan, where have you been?” Satan replied, “I have been going all over the earth.” 8 Then the Lord asked, “What do you think of my servant Job? No one on earth is like him—he is a truly good person, who respects me and refuses to do evil.” 9 “Why shouldn’t he respect you?” Satan remarked. 10 “You are like a wall protecting not only him, but his entire family and all his property. You make him successful in whatever he does, and his flocks and herds are everywhere. 11 Try taking away everything he owns, and he will curse you to your face.” 12 The Lord replied, “All right, Satan, do what you want with anything that belongs to him, but don’t harm Job.” Then Satan left. 13 Job’s sons and daughters were having a feast in the home of his oldest son, 14 when someone rushed up to Job and said, “While your servants were plowing with your oxen, and your donkeys were nearby eating grass, 15 a gang of Sabeans[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%201&amp;version=CEV#fen-CEV-11078d" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">d</a>] attacked and stole the oxen and donkeys! Your other servants were killed, and I was the only one who escaped to tell you.” 16 That servant was still speaking, when a second one came running up and saying, “God sent down a fire that killed your sheep and your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” 17 Before that servant finished speaking, a third one raced up and said, “Three gangs of Chaldeans[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%201&amp;version=CEV#fen-CEV-11080e" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">e</a>] attacked and stole your camels! All of your other servants were killed, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” 18 That servant was still speaking, when a fourth one dashed up and said, “Your children were having a feast and drinking wine at the home of your oldest son, 19 when suddenly a windstorm from the desert blew the house down, crushing all of your children. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” 20 When Job heard this, he tore his clothes and shaved his head because of his great sorrow. He knelt on the ground, then worshiped God 21 and said: “We bring nothing at birth;  we take nothing      with us at death.  The Lord alone gives and takes.  Praise the name of the Lord!” 22 In spite of everything, Job did not sin or accuse God of doing wrong. Bible Passage: Job 2 When the angels[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%202&amp;version=CEV#fen-CEV-11086a" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a</a>] gathered around the Lord again, Satan[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%202&amp;version=CEV#fen-CEV-11086b" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">b</a>] was there with them, 2 and the Lord asked, “Satan, where have you been?” Satan replied, “I have been going all over the earth.” 3 Then the Lord asked, “What do you think of my servant Job? No one on earth is like him—he is a truly good person, who respects me and refuses to do evil. And he hasn’t changed, even though you persuaded me to destroy him for no reason.” 4 Satan answered, “There’s no pain like your own.[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%202&amp;version=CEV#fen-CEV-11089c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">c</a>] People will do anything to stay alive. 5 Try striking Job’s own body with pain, and he will curse you to your face.” 6 “All right!” the Lord replied. “Make Job suffer as much as you want, but just don’t kill him.” 7 Satan left and caused painful sores to break out all over Job’s body—from head to toe. 8 Then Job sat on the ash-heap to show his sorrow. And while he was scraping his sores with a broken piece of pottery, 9 his wife asked, “Why do you still trust God? Why don’t you curse him and die?” 10 Job replied, “Don’t talk like a fool! If we accept blessings from God, we must accept trouble as well.” In all that happened, Job never once said anything against God. 11 Eliphaz from Teman, Bildad from Shuah, and Zophar from Naamah[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%202&amp;version=CEV#fen-CEV-11096d" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">d</a>] were three of Job’s friends, and they heard about his troubles. So they agreed to visit Job and comfort him. 12 When they came near enough to see Job, they could hardly recognize him. And in their great sorrow, they tore their clothes, then sprinkled dust on their heads and cried bitterly. 13 For seven days and nights, they sat silently on the ground beside him, because they realized what terrible pain he was in. Those 3 friends and Job’s wife took turns trying to convince Job to curse God and then give up the will to live and just die. But Job refused. He continued to worship God, even though he had nothing left. God was very proud of Job and he rewarded him for his faithfulness.Bible Passage: Job 42:10 "After Job had prayed for his three friends, the Lord made Job twice as rich as he had been before. Bible Passage: Job 42:23 "The Lord now blessed Job more than ever; he gave him fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand pair of oxen, and a thousand donkeys. In addition to seven sons, Job had three daughters."God is in control and has ultimate authority. God has his reasons for you enduring hard times.Trust him.Question Time! <ol><li>Do you think experiencing hard times would be something you would want to go through in order to grow in maturity and wisdom and strength? Why/why not?</li></ol> Want more? For all other episodes and more, check out our website at <a href="https://www.thewordonthestreetpodcast.com/podcast/thewordonthestreetpodcast.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">thewordonthestreetpodcast.com  </a> Follow Anna on her Facebook Page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thewordonthestreetpodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Join The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/543910553118656" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Like INSTAGRAM?  Follow The Word On The Street Podcast <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thewordonthestreetpodcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Follow Anna on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/annasware/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> <a href="https://www.eternitynews.com.au/podcast-network/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eternity Podcast Network</a> is a collection of carefully considered, Biblically informed, creative productions that aim to fill your ears with seriously good sounds. Head to the Eternity Podcast Network website to browse their range of quality podcasts.

HARD TIMES - Job

Hide and seek is a great game. We play the game at night with the lights off sometimes. So funny when there is someone and you just can’t find them even when you have looked millions of times! Another awesome version is Hide and seek Tip, where you start off hiding.My favourite spots to hide are usually in a wardrobe behind the clothing so that when someone looks in there, they still can’t find me!What do you think?Are you ever tempted to do bad things or break rules when you are in hard situations? When you are being bullied, are you ever tempted to hit, smack or punch the bully? When you are super hungry, are you ever tempted to steal food? When you are not allowed to do something that you really want to do, do you do it anyway? Today’s story is about David, who faced a really hard time playing a mammoth game of hide and seek but might get killed if found, and he did not get want to do any evil, even when presented with multiple opportunities!Story Time!David was the boy who fought Goliath. He was the youngest brother of 8. He was a shepherd, he was faithful to God, he played the harp so well that King Saul requested his music to calm his nerves and he was an amazing soldier, going to battle to protect the promised land from invaders over and over again.David was so amazing that King Saul got jealous. Everyone said he was the better soldier. People loved David. So Saul tried to kill David and chased him around the countryside. Saul tried to get an army together to hunt David, but everyone loved David, and said that he was so loyal to God and Israel and reminded Saul that David was his son in law (David had married Saul’s daughter. David’s best friend was also Saul’s son Jonathon.)Some priest protected David, gave him food and weapons, but Saul found out and punished them by death.Many more people heard about the chase for David and tried to help him. His family went with him because they were in danger too. Some came to David because they were angry or in debt  or in trouble. David ended up having over 400 people with him as he tried to hide from King Saul.David tried to look after everyone. They lived in Adullam Cave for a while, then David worked out for his family to live in safety in Moab, where Ruth was from. Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 23:14-17“David stayed in hideouts in the hill country of Ziph Desert. Saul kept searching, but God never let Saul catch him.One time, David was at Horesh in Ziph Desert. He was afraid becauseSaul had come to the area to kill him.But Jonathan went to see David, and God helped him encourage David. “Don’t be afraid,” Jonathan said. “My father Saul will never get his hands on you. In fact, you’re going to be the next king of Israel, and I’ll be your highest official. Even my father knows it’s true.”At one point David was hiding on one side of a hill and Saul was on the other. David was nearly cornered, but God was still looking after him. A messenger came with an emergency for Saul and he had to abandon the chase for a while. David was safe.Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 24When Saul had dealt with his emergency, “he heard that David was in the desert around En-Gedi.Saul led three thousand of Israel’s best soldiers out to look for David and his men near Wild Goat Rocks at En-Gedi.There were some sheep pens along the side of the road, and one of them was built around the entrance to a cave. Saul went into the cave to relieve himself.David and his men were hiding at the back of the cave. They whispered to David, “The Lord told you he was going to let you defeat your enemies and do whatever you want with them. This must be the day the Lord was talking about.”David sneaked over and cut off a small piece[a] of Saul’s robe, but Saul didn’t notice a thing.Afterwards, David was sorry that he had even done that, and he told his men, “Stop talking foolishly. We’re not going to attack Saul. He’s my king, and I pray that the Lord will keep me from doing anything to harm his chosen king.”Saul left the cave and started down the road. 8 Soon, David also got up and left the cave. “Your Majesty!” he shouted from a distance.Saul turned around to look. David bowed down very lowand said:Your Majesty, why do you listen to people who say that I’m trying to harm you? You can see for yourself that the Lord gave me the chance to catch you in the cave today. Some of my men wanted to kill you, but I wouldn’t let them do it. I told them, “I will not harm the Lord’s chosen king!”Your Majesty, look at what I’m holding. You can see that it’s a piece of your robe. If I could cut off a piece of your robe, I could have killed you. But I let you live, and that should prove I’m not trying to harm you or to rebel. I haven’t done anything to you, and yet you keep trying to ambush and kill me.I’ll let the Lord decide which one of us has done right. I pray that the Lord will punish you for what you’re doing to me, but I won’t do anything to you. An old proverb says, “Only evil people do evil things,” and so I won’t harm you.”Saul was struck by David’s kindness and went home. David went back to his cave.But yet another time Saul heard where David was. David sent out some spies when he heard Saul was tracking him.That same night, David and Abishai crept into the camp. Saul was sleeping, and his spear was stuck in the ground not far from his head. Abner and the soldiers were sound asleep all around him.Abishai whispered, “This time God has let you get your hands on your enemy! I’ll pin him to the ground with one thrust of his own spear.”“Don’t kill him!” David whispered back. “The Lord will punish anyone who kills his chosen king. As surely as the Lord lives, the Lord will kill Saul, or Saul will die a natural death or be killed in battle.But I pray that the Lord will keep me from harming his chosen king. Let’s grab his spear and his water jar and get out of here!”David took the spear and the water jar, then left the camp. None of Saul’s soldiers knew what had happened or even woke up—the Lord had made all of them fall sound asleep.David and Abishai crossed the valley and went to the top of the next hill, where they were at a safe distance.“Abner!” David shouted toward Saul’s army. “Can you hear me?”Abner shouted back. “Who dares disturb the king?”“Abner, what kind of a man are you?” David replied. “Aren’t you supposed to be the best soldier in Israel? Then why didn’t you protect your king? Anyone who went into your camp could have killed him tonight.You’re a complete failure! I swear by the living Lord that you and your men deserve to die for not protecting the Lord’s chosen king. Look and see if you can find the king’s spear and the water jar that were near his head.”Saul could tell it was David’s voice, and he called out, “David, my son! Is that you?”“Yes it is, Your Majesty.Why are you after me? Have I done something wrong, or have I committed a crime?Please listen to what I have to say. If the Lord has turned you against me, maybe a sacrifice will make him change his mind. But if some people have turned you against me, I hope the Lord will punish them! They have forced me to leave the land that belongs to the Lord and have told me to worship foreign gods.Don’t let me die in a land far away from the Lord. I’m no more important than a flea! Why should the king of Israel hunt me down as if I were a bird in the mountains?”“David, you had the chance to kill me today. But you didn’t. I was very wrong about you. It was a terrible mistake for me to try to kill you. I’ve acted like a fool, but I’ll never try to harm you again. You’re like a son to me, so please come back.”“Your Majesty, here’s your spear! Have one of your soldiers come and get it.The Lord put you in my power today, but you are his chosen king and I wouldn’t harm you. The Lord rewards people who are faithful and live right. I saved your life today, and I pray that the Lord will protect me and keep me safe.”“David, my son, I pray that the Lord will bless you and make you successful!”Saul continued to hunt David for about 7 years! Once Saul had died, in a battle, David became King.Bible Passage: Psalm 63:4-8"As long as I live,    I will pray to you.I will sing joyful praises and be filled with excitement    like a guest at a banquet.I think about you    before I go to sleep,    and my thoughts turn to you    during the night.You have helped me,    and I sing happy songs    in the shadow of your wings.I stay close to you,    and your powerful arm    supports me.”When you are going through hard times, do not sin. Keep on doing good. Do not do evil. I can imagine that it is especially hard when someone is hunting you to kill you, but this is unlikely in your life if you live in Australia. But if you are feeling like you want to repay someone for the evil they have done and get revenge, please pray to God first and see what he wants you to do. Test everything and trust him.Question Time!  What is it that made David determined to do the right thing no matter what? Are you determined to do the right thing no matter what? Why/why not? Want more?For all other episodes and more, check out our website at thewordonthestreetpodcast.com Follow Anna on her Facebook Page hereJoin The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group hereLike INSTAGRAM? Follow The Word On The Street Podcast hereFollow Anna on Instagram hereEternity Podcast Network is a collection of carefully considered, Biblically informed, creative productions that aim to fill your ears with seriously good sounds. Head to the Eternity Podcast Network website to browse their range of quality podcasts.

Hide and seek is a great game. We play the game at night with the lights off sometimes. So funny when there is someone and you just can’t find them even when you have looked millions of times! Another awesome version is Hide and seek Tip, where you start off hiding.My favourite spots to hide are usually in a wardrobe behind the clothing so that when someone looks in there, they still can’t find me! What do you think?Are you ever tempted to do bad things or break rules when you are in hard situations?<ul> <li>When you are being bullied, are you ever tempted to hit, smack or punch the bully?</li> <li>When you are super hungry, are you ever tempted to steal food?</li> <li>When you are not allowed to do something that you really want to do, do you do it anyway?</li> </ul> Today’s story is about David, who faced a really hard time playing a mammoth game of hide and seek but might get killed if found, and he did not get want to do any evil, even when presented with multiple opportunities! Story Time! David was the boy who fought Goliath. He was the youngest brother of 8. He was a shepherd, he was faithful to God, he played the harp so well that King Saul requested his music to calm his nerves and he was an amazing soldier, going to battle to protect the promised land from invaders over and over again.David was so amazing that King Saul got jealous. Everyone said he was the better soldier. People loved David. So Saul tried to kill David and chased him around the countryside. Saul tried to get an army together to hunt David, but everyone loved David, and said that he was so loyal to God and Israel and reminded Saul that David was his son in law (David had married Saul’s daughter. David’s best friend was also Saul’s son Jonathon.)Some priest protected David, gave him food and weapons, but Saul found out and punished them by death.Many more people heard about the chase for David and tried to help him. His family went with him because they were in danger too. Some came to David because they were angry or in debt  or in trouble. David ended up having over 400 people with him as he tried to hide from King Saul.David tried to look after everyone. They lived in Adullam Cave for a while, then David worked out for his family to live in safety in Moab, where Ruth was from.  Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 23:14-17 “David stayed in hideouts in the hill country of Ziph Desert. Saul kept searching, but God never let Saul catch him. One time, David was at Horesh in Ziph Desert. He was afraid becauseSaul had come to the area to kill him.But Jonathan went to see David, and God helped him encourage David. “Don’t be afraid,” Jonathan said. “My father Saul will never get his hands on you. In fact, you’re going to be the next king of Israel, and I’ll be your highest official. Even my father knows it’s true.” At one point David was hiding on one side of a hill and Saul was on the other. David was nearly cornered, but God was still looking after him. A messenger came with an emergency for Saul and he had to abandon the chase for a while. David was safe. Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 24 When Saul had dealt with his emergency, “he heard that David was in the desert around En-Gedi.Saul led three thousand of Israel’s best soldiers out to look for David and his men near Wild Goat Rocks at En-Gedi.There were some sheep pens along the side of the road, and one of them was built around the entrance to a cave. Saul went into the cave to relieve himself. David and his men were hiding at the back of the cave. They whispered to David, “The Lord told you he was going to let you defeat your enemies and do whatever you want with them. This must be the day the Lord was talking about.” David sneaked over and cut off a small piece[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Samuel%2024&amp;version=CEV#fen-CEV-6633a" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a</a>] of Saul’s robe, but Saul didn’t notice a thing.Afterwards, David was sorry that he had even done that, and he told his men, “Stop talking foolishly. We’re not going to attack Saul. He’s my king, and I pray that the Lord will keep me from doing anything to harm his chosen king.” Saul left the cave and started down the road. 8 Soon, David also got up and left the cave. “Your Majesty!” he shouted from a distance. Saul turned around to look. David bowed down very lowand said: Your Majesty, why do you listen to people who say that I’m trying to harm you? You can see for yourself that the Lord gave me the chance to catch you in the cave today. Some of my men wanted to kill you, but I wouldn’t let them do it. I told them, “I will not harm the Lord’s chosen king!”Your Majesty, look at what I’m holding. You can see that it’s a piece of your robe. If I could cut off a piece of your robe, I could have killed you. But I let you live, and that should prove I’m not trying to harm you or to rebel. I haven’t done anything to you, and yet you keep trying to ambush and kill me. I’ll let the Lord decide which one of us has done right. I pray that the Lord will punish you for what you’re doing to me, but I won’t do anything to you. An old proverb says, “Only evil people do evil things,” and so I won’t harm you.” Saul was struck by David’s kindness and went home. David went back to his cave.But yet another time Saul heard where David was. David sent out some spies when he heard Saul was tracking him.That same night, David and Abishai crept into the camp. Saul was sleeping, and his spear was stuck in the ground not far from his head. Abner and the soldiers were sound asleep all around him. Abishai whispered, “This time God has let you get your hands on your enemy! I’ll pin him to the ground with one thrust of his own spear.” “Don’t kill him!” David whispered back. “The Lord will punish anyone who kills his chosen king. As surely as the Lord lives, the Lord will kill Saul, or Saul will die a natural death or be killed in battle.But I pray that the Lord will keep me from harming his chosen king. Let’s grab his spear and his water jar and get out of here!” David took the spear and the water jar, then left the camp. None of Saul’s soldiers knew what had happened or even woke up—the Lord had made all of them fall sound asleep.David and Abishai crossed the valley and went to the top of the next hill, where they were at a safe distance.“Abner!” David shouted toward Saul’s army. “Can you hear me?” Abner shouted back. “Who dares disturb the king?” “Abner, what kind of a man are you?” David replied. “Aren’t you supposed to be the best soldier in Israel? Then why didn’t you protect your king? Anyone who went into your camp could have killed him tonight.You’re a complete failure! I swear by the living Lord that you and your men deserve to die for not protecting the Lord’s chosen king. Look and see if you can find the king’s spear and the water jar that were near his head.” Saul could tell it was David’s voice, and he called out, “David, my son! Is that you?” “Yes it is, Your Majesty.Why are you after me? Have I done something wrong, or have I committed a crime?Please listen to what I have to say. If the Lord has turned you against me, maybe a sacrifice will make him change his mind. But if some people have turned you against me, I hope the Lord will punish them! They have forced me to leave the land that belongs to the Lord and have told me to worship foreign gods.Don’t let me die in a land far away from the Lord. I’m no more important than a flea! Why should the king of Israel hunt me down as if I were a bird in the mountains?” “David, you had the chance to kill me today. But you didn’t. I was very wrong about you. It was a terrible mistake for me to try to kill you. I’ve acted like a fool, but I’ll never try to harm you again. You’re like a son to me, so please come back.” “Your Majesty, here’s your spear! Have one of your soldiers come and get it.The Lord put you in my power today, but you are his chosen king and I wouldn’t harm you. The Lord rewards people who are faithful and live right. I saved your life today, and I pray that the Lord will protect me and keep me safe.” “David, my son, I pray that the Lord will bless you and make you successful!” Saul continued to hunt David for about 7 years! Once Saul had died, in a battle, David became King. Bible Passage: Psalm 63:4-8 "As long as I live,     I will pray to you. I will sing joyful praises  and be filled with excitement     like a guest at a banquet. I think about you     before I go to sleep,     and my thoughts turn to you     during the night. You have helped me,     and I sing happy songs     in the shadow of your wings. I stay close to you,     and your powerful arm     supports me.” When you are going through hard times, do not sin. Keep on doing good. Do not do evil. I can imagine that it is especially hard when someone is hunting you to kill you, but this is unlikely in your life if you live in Australia. But if you are feeling like you want to repay someone for the evil they have done and get revenge, please pray to God first and see what he wants you to do. Test everything and trust him. Question Time! <ol> <li>What is it that made David determined to do the right thing no matter what?</li> <li>Are you determined to do the right thing no matter what? Why/why not?</li> </ol> Want more? For all other episodes and more, check out our website at <a href="https://www.thewordonthestreetpodcast.com/podcast/thewordonthestreetpodcast.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">thewordonthestreetpodcast.com  </a> Follow Anna on her Facebook Page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thewordonthestreetpodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Join The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/543910553118656" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Like INSTAGRAM?  Follow The Word On The Street Podcast <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thewordonthestreetpodcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Follow Anna on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/annasware/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> <a href="https://www.eternitynews.com.au/podcast-network/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eternity Podcast Network</a> is a collection of carefully considered, Biblically informed, creative productions that aim to fill your ears with seriously good sounds. Head to the Eternity Podcast Network website to browse their range of quality podcasts.

HARD TIMES - David

When I was about 10 years old, I was playing at home after school when Dad arrived home. In the back of his car was our dog Jamba, who was a golden retriever. He had been to the vet and she was very old. The vet had put her down. This means that the vet had helped her die a painless death. Jamba was in the back of the car on a blanket just lying there. She looked asleep but was actually very stiff. We had a burial for her in the backyard and it was very sad.Death is a hard thing but why is it so hard? Is it the pain that the person goes through when they are dying? No. It is because they have left the earth and never to return. We miss them. We have to keep living, keep going and it is so hard without them.What do you think?WHO AM I?Clues: I am a woman in the bible I moved away from my family to a new land I was beautiful but did not have any children for a long time, even though God promised me offspring I ended up having my son Isaac when I was about 90 years old WHO AM I? I am Abraham’s wife, SARAH.Fun Fact, her name was originally Sarai but God changed it to Sarah. (Abraham was Abram and God changed his name too!)Story Time!Naomi suffered the loss of her husband Elimelech after moving from Israel to Moab because of a drought. Women typically didn’t work or own land in those days and had to rely on men to provide for them, and so she was able to rely on her 2 sons to look after her. They got married, but within 10 years, both of her sons also passed away.Look at Naomi’s situation. She had her sons’ 2 wives - Ruth and Orpah - who could look after her as they were young and could forage for food, but was missing her sons and husband and living in a strange land!Naomi decided to return home to Israel, as she had heard that the drought was over and there was rain and food there. She told the daughters’-in-law to stay in Moab and remarry and to not worry about her. Orpah bid them goodbye but Ruth insisted she continue to look after Naomi.When they arrived home, their friends welcomed them but Naomi told them:“Then she told them, “Don’t call me Naomi any longer! Call me Mara,[e] because God has made my life bitter.I had everything when I left, but the Lord has brought me back with nothing. How can you still call me Naomi, when God has turned against me and made my life so hard?””Ruth, the Moabite daughter-in-law who came to Israel with Naomi was blessed by God because of her kindness and loyalty to Naomi. God blessed her with a wonderful new husband who was very generous and kind and took care of Naomi also. Ruth had a baby boy.After his birth, the women said to Naomi:Praise the Lord! Today he has given you a grandson to take care of you. We pray that the boy will grow up to be famous everywhere in Israel. He will make you happy and take care of you in your old age, because he is the son of your daughter-in-law. And she loves you more than seven sons of your own would love you.Naomi loved the boy and took good care of him. The neighbourhood women named him Obed, but they called him “Naomi’s Boy.”When Obed grew up he had a son named Jesse, who later became the father of King David.Here is a list of the ancestors of David: Jesse, Obed, Boaz, Salmon, Nahshon, Amminadab, Ram, Hezron, and Perez.”This Psalm is most certainly true for Naomi and is true for us also:Bible Passage: Psalm 34:17,18“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;    he delivers them from all their troubles.The Lord is close to the brokenhearted    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”Naomi suffered for a time, but then her life was able to go on and there was blessings in the end. If you are going through hard times now, or whenever, remember that it is usually only for a season and that you can get through it.Expect hard times to come.Learn lessons God has to teach us from them.Trust God to look out for us.Cry out to God and he hears us.Question Time!  What kind of hard times might you expect to come in your life? What reminders can you give yourself to help you get through it?  Want more?For all other episodes and more, check out our website at thewordonthestreetpodcast.com Follow Anna on her Facebook Page hereJoin The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group hereLike INSTAGRAM? Follow The Word On The Street Podcast hereFollow Anna on Instagram hereEternity Podcast Network is a collection of carefully considered, Biblically informed, creative productions that aim to fill your ears with seriously good sounds. Head to the Eternity Podcast Network website to browse their range of quality podcasts.

When I was about 10 years old, I was playing at home after school when Dad arrived home. In the back of his car was our dog Jamba, who was a golden retriever. He had been to the vet and she was very old. The vet had put her down. This means that the vet had helped her die a painless death. Jamba was in the back of the car on a blanket just lying there. She looked asleep but was actually very stiff. We had a burial for her in the backyard and it was very sad.Death is a hard thing but why is it so hard? Is it the pain that the person goes through when they are dying? No. It is because they have left the earth and never to return. We miss them. We have to keep living, keep going and it is so hard without them.What do you think?WHO AM I?Clues:<ol> <li>I am a woman in the bible</li> <li>I moved away from my family to a new land</li> <li>I was beautiful but did not have any children for a long time, even though God promised me offspring</li> <li>I ended up having my son Isaac when I was about 90 years old</li> </ol>WHO AM I? I am Abraham’s wife, SARAH.Fun Fact, her name was originally Sarai but God changed it to Sarah. (Abraham was Abram and God changed his name too!)Story Time! Naomi suffered the loss of her husband Elimelech after moving from Israel to Moab because of a drought. Women typically didn’t work or own land in those days and had to rely on men to provide for them, and so she was able to rely on her 2 sons to look after her. They got married, but within 10 years, both of her sons also passed away.Look at Naomi’s situation. She had her sons’ 2 wives - Ruth and Orpah - who could look after her as they were young and could forage for food, but was missing her sons and husband and living in a strange land!Naomi decided to return home to Israel, as she had heard that the drought was over and there was rain and food there. She told the daughters’-in-law to stay in Moab and remarry and to not worry about her. Orpah bid them goodbye but Ruth insisted she continue to look after Naomi.When they arrived home, their friends welcomed them but Naomi told them:“Then she told them, “Don’t call me Naomi any longer! Call me Mara,[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth%201&amp;version=CEV#fen-CEV-5980e" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">e</a>] because God has made my life bitter.I had everything when I left, but the Lord has brought me back with nothing. How can you still call me Naomi, when God has turned against me and made my life so hard?”” Ruth, the Moabite daughter-in-law who came to Israel with Naomi was blessed by God because of her kindness and loyalty to Naomi. God blessed her with a wonderful new husband who was very generous and kind and took care of Naomi also. Ruth had a baby boy.After his birth, the women said to Naomi: Praise the Lord! Today he has given you a grandson to take care of you. We pray that the boy will grow up to be famous everywhere in Israel. He will make you happy and take care of you in your old age, because he is the son of your daughter-in-law. And she loves you more than seven sons of your own would love you. Naomi loved the boy and took good care of him. The neighbourhood women named him Obed, but they called him “Naomi’s Boy.” When Obed grew up he had a son named Jesse, who later became the father of King David.Here is a list of the ancestors of David: Jesse, Obed, Boaz, Salmon, Nahshon, Amminadab, Ram, Hezron, and Perez.” This Psalm is most certainly true for Naomi and is true for us also:Bible Passage: Psalm 34:17,18“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;    he delivers them from all their troubles.The Lord is close to the brokenhearted    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Naomi suffered for a time, but then her life was able to go on and there was blessings in the end. If you are going through hard times now, or whenever, remember that it is usually only for a season and that you can get through it.Expect hard times to come.Learn lessons God has to teach us from them.Trust God to look out for us.Cry out to God and he hears us. Question Time! <ol> <li>What kind of hard times might you expect to come in your life?</li> <li>What reminders can you give yourself to help you get through it? </li> </ol>Want more? For all other episodes and more, check out our website at <a href="https://www.thewordonthestreetpodcast.com/podcast/thewordonthestreetpodcast.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">thewordonthestreetpodcast.com  </a> Follow Anna on her Facebook Page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thewordonthestreetpodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Join The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/543910553118656" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Like INSTAGRAM?  Follow The Word On The Street Podcast <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thewordonthestreetpodcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Follow Anna on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/annasware/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> <a href="https://www.eternitynews.com.au/podcast-network/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eternity Podcast Network</a> is a collection of carefully considered, Biblically informed, creative productions that aim to fill your ears with seriously good sounds. Head to the Eternity Podcast Network website to browse their range of quality podcasts.

HARD TIMES - Naomi

When you are afraid or worried or in pain, what do you do? Do you have any strategies that help you feel better? Do you tell yourself to be brave? Do you try your best and not try not to think about failure? Do you ask for help? Or for some panadol? I know when I was in primary school I hated it and felt sick in my stomach every night going to bed and every morning getting ready but just kept going. I learnt at church to ask God for help and I did.We all feel afraid or worried or in pain at different times of our lives. We all react differently too, when these things come upon us.What do you think?Imagine you are needing to move and live in a different country because your life where you are is not good. You pack up all the things you want that you can carry and you leave. You don’t know where you are going, you just have to leave. You start walking. Then you catch a boat to a new land. Then you walk some more. You worry about food but notice millions of flowers growing around you and they are all edible. You mush them up and fry them like fritters. After a few months of eating those flowers you wish you had never left. It wasn’t so bad. At least you had things to eat other than one type of flower.Bible Passage: Psalm 56:3-4“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”Story Time!If you are interested in reading this story straight from the Bible, make your way through Exodus!The Israelites: Left Egypt hoping for a better life Left Egypt just to die in the desert God saved them. Led them with cloud and fire, parted the dead sea, provided manna to eat and water from stones, took them to the promised land. The Israelites were scared. Large people with big armies lived in their promised land now. They complained, they rejected God’s authority, they doubted him. God sent them back to the desert to wander around for 40 more years. More manna, more suffering, more doubting God. God taught them an invaluable lesson during this time and it is a lesson repeated to every Christian and referred to in the bible more than any other event. TRUST GOD. In suffering, in life, in everything. He is powerful and in control. He is worthy of our trust in all situations. Bible Passage: Psalm 56:3-4“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”Question Time!  Is there a time you can think of where you might doubt that God is in control? What can you do to show that you trust God in certain situations?  Want more?For all other episodes and more, check out our website at thewordonthestreetpodcast.com Follow Anna on her Facebook Page hereJoin The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group hereLike INSTAGRAM? Follow The Word On The Street Podcast hereFollow Anna on Instagram hereEternity Podcast Network is a collection of carefully considered, Biblically informed, creative productions that aim to fill your ears with seriously good sounds. Head to the Eternity Podcast Network website to browse their range of quality podcasts.

When you are afraid or worried or in pain, what do you do? Do you have any strategies that help you feel better? Do you tell yourself to be brave? Do you try your best and not try not to think about failure? Do you ask for help? Or for some panadol? I know when I was in primary school I hated it and felt sick in my stomach every night going to bed and every morning getting ready but just kept going. I learnt at church to ask God for help and I did.We all feel afraid or worried or in pain at different times of our lives. We all react differently too, when these things come upon us.What do you think?Imagine you are needing to move and live in a different country because your life where you are is not good. You pack up all the things you want that you can carry and you leave. You don’t know where you are going, you just have to leave. You start walking. Then you catch a boat to a new land. Then you walk some more. You worry about food but notice millions of flowers growing around you and they are all edible. You mush them up and fry them like fritters. After a few months of eating those flowers you wish you had never left. It wasn’t so bad. At least you had things to eat other than one type of flower. Bible Passage: Psalm 56:3-4“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”Story Time!If you are interested in reading this story straight from the Bible, make your way through Exodus! The Israelites:<ul> <li>Left Egypt hoping for a better life</li> <li>Left Egypt just to die in the desert</li> <li>God saved them. Led them with cloud and fire, parted the dead sea, provided manna to eat and water from stones, took them to the promised land.</li> <li>The Israelites were scared. Large people with big armies lived in their promised land now. They complained, they rejected God’s authority, they doubted him.</li> <li>God sent them back to the desert to wander around for 40 more years. More manna, more suffering, more doubting God.</li> <li>God taught them an invaluable lesson during this time and it is a lesson repeated to every Christian and referred to in the bible more than any other event. TRUST GOD. In suffering, in life, in everything. He is powerful and in control. He is worthy of our trust in all situations.</li> </ul> Bible Passage: Psalm 56:3-4“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Question Time! <ul> <li>Is there a time you can think of where you might doubt that God is in control?</li> <li>What can you do to show that you trust God in certain situations? </li> </ul>Want more? For all other episodes and more, check out our website at <a href="https://www.thewordonthestreetpodcast.com/podcast/thewordonthestreetpodcast.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">thewordonthestreetpodcast.com  </a> Follow Anna on her Facebook Page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thewordonthestreetpodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Join The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/543910553118656" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Like INSTAGRAM?  Follow The Word On The Street Podcast <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thewordonthestreetpodcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Follow Anna on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/annasware/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> <a href="https://www.eternitynews.com.au/podcast-network/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eternity Podcast Network</a> is a collection of carefully considered, Biblically informed, creative productions that aim to fill your ears with seriously good sounds. Head to the Eternity Podcast Network website to browse their range of quality podcasts.

HARD TIMES - The Israelites in the Desert

What does paradise look like to you?What would life look like if you had no suffering?There are all kinds of things that we have to suffer through in our day and it is different for everyone. Some things you may not like could include: School Chores Exercise Reading Eating vegetables Having guests over, entertaining or going out Being alone Being bored Getting hurt, breaking bones, falling over We get used to whatever we have as normal and if we have a pretty good and easy life, having a minor annoying thing happen can feel like a big deal. You should hear some of my kids carrying on about the smallest of things sometimes - like me making them come out on the boat with me! I’m like the meanest parent in the world!When I talk about hard times in this series though, I am talking about extra hard, unusually hard times.The hard times we are going through at the moment are extra hard because we don’t normally worry about germs from our friends and family and neighbours. We don’t normally isolate from other people, staying at home for a week or more at a time. We don’t normally have face masks on, so we can’t see people’s faces and expressions and love. We don’t normally live in fear. But these days are not normal.Last year I had to stay home for 17 weeks with the family - no school or friends or fun. It was not normal.What do you think?Think about your brother or sister and if you don’t have one, think about a close friend or cousin.Have they ever: Cut your hair? Yelled at you? Broken one of your things? Annoyed you on purpose so that you would get in trouble? Sold you into slavery? Tried to kill you? Story Time!Jacob’s story can be found Genesis 37-46Bible Passage: Genesis 45:4-5"Since Joseph could no longer control his feelings in front of his servants, he sent them out of the room. When he was alone with his brothers, he told them, “I am Joseph.” Then he cried so loudly that the Egyptians heard him and told about it in the king’s palace.Joseph asked his brothers if his father was still alive, but they were too frightened to answer. Joseph told them to come closer to him, and when they did, he said:Yes, I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt.Don’t worry or blame yourselves for what you did. God is the one who sent me ahead of you to save lives.There has already been a famine for two years, and for five more years no one will plow fields or harvest grain. But God sent me on ahead of you to keep your families alive and to save you in this wonderful way. After all, you weren’t really the ones who sent me here—it was God. He made me the highest official in the king’s court and placed me over all Egypt.”Bible Passage: Romans 5:3-5“We gladly suffer, because we know that suffering helps us to endure.And endurance builds character, which gives us a hope that will never disappoint us. All of this happens because God has given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with his love.”Suffering isn’t nice, but God does have a plan for our lives and our suffering. He wants us to endure (which means to keep on experiencing (pain or suffering) for a long time).He wants us to build character, which is a term that has many meanings, but here is referring to having moral excellence and firmness.God also wants us to have hope, which is not referring to the cross your fingers and hope for the best kind of hope, but the hope we have in the future of certain eternal life. We will get this all by suffering and while having the Holy Spirit in our hearts.Question Time!  What kind of suffering would involve in enduring something for an extended period of time? How might having to live through something like that build character? Want more?For all other episodes and more, check out our website at thewordonthestreetpodcast.com Follow Anna on her Facebook Page hereJoin The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group hereLike INSTAGRAM? Follow The Word On The Street Podcast hereFollow Anna on Instagram hereEternity Podcast Network is a collection of carefully considered, Biblically informed, creative productions that aim to fill your ears with seriously good sounds. Head to the Eternity Podcast Network website to browse their range of quality podcasts.

What does paradise look like to you?What would life look like if you had no suffering?There are all kinds of things that we have to suffer through in our day and it is different for everyone. Some things you may not like could include:<ul> <li>School</li> <li>Chores</li> <li>Exercise</li> <li>Reading</li> <li>Eating vegetables</li> <li>Having guests over, entertaining or going out</li> <li>Being alone</li> <li>Being bored</li> <li>Getting hurt, breaking bones, falling over</li> </ul>We get used to whatever we have as normal and if we have a pretty good and easy life, having a minor annoying thing happen can feel like a big deal. You should hear some of my kids carrying on about the smallest of things sometimes - like me making them come out on the boat with me! I’m like the meanest parent in the world!When I talk about hard times in this series though, I am talking about extra hard, unusually hard times.The hard times we are going through at the moment are extra hard because we don’t normally worry about germs from our friends and family and neighbours. We don’t normally isolate from other people, staying at home for a week or more at a time. We don’t normally have face masks on, so we can’t see people’s faces and expressions and love. We don’t normally live in fear. But these days are not normal.Last year I had to stay home for 17 weeks with the family - no school or friends or fun. It was not normal. What do you think? Think about your brother or sister and if you don’t have one, think about a close friend or cousin.Have they ever:<ul> <li>Cut your hair?</li> <li>Yelled at you?</li> <li>Broken one of your things?</li> <li>Annoyed you on purpose so that you would get in trouble?</li> <li>Sold you into slavery?</li> <li>Tried to kill you?</li> </ul> Story Time!Jacob’s story can be found Genesis 37-46 Bible Passage: Genesis 45:4-5 "Since Joseph could no longer control his feelings in front of his servants, he sent them out of the room. When he was alone with his brothers, he told them, “I am Joseph.” Then he cried so loudly that the Egyptians heard him and told about it in the king’s palace. Joseph asked his brothers if his father was still alive, but they were too frightened to answer. Joseph told them to come closer to him, and when they did, he said: Yes, I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt.Don’t worry or blame yourselves for what you did. God is the one who sent me ahead of you to save lives. There has already been a famine for two years, and for five more years no one will plow fields or harvest grain. But God sent me on ahead of you to keep your families alive and to save you in this wonderful way. After all, you weren’t really the ones who sent me here—it was God. He made me the highest official in the king’s court and placed me over all Egypt.” Bible Passage: Romans 5:3-5 “We gladly suffer, because we know that suffering helps us to endure.And endurance builds character, which gives us a hope that will never disappoint us. All of this happens because God has given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with his love.” Suffering isn’t nice, but God does have a plan for our lives and our suffering. He wants us to endure (which means to keep on experiencing (pain or suffering) for a long time).He wants us to build character, which is a term that has many meanings, but here is referring to having moral excellence and firmness.God also wants us to have hope, which is not referring to the cross your fingers and hope for the best kind of hope, but the hope we have in the future of certain eternal life. We will get this all by suffering and while having the Holy Spirit in our hearts.Question Time! <ul> <li>What kind of suffering would involve in enduring something for an extended period of time?</li> <li>How might having to live through something like that build character?</li> </ul> Want more? For all other episodes and more, check out our website at <a href="https://www.thewordonthestreetpodcast.com/podcast/thewordonthestreetpodcast.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">thewordonthestreetpodcast.com  </a> Follow Anna on her Facebook Page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thewordonthestreetpodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Join The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/543910553118656" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Like INSTAGRAM?  Follow The Word On The Street Podcast <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thewordonthestreetpodcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Follow Anna on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/annasware/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> <a href="https://www.eternitynews.com.au/podcast-network/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eternity Podcast Network</a> is a collection of carefully considered, Biblically informed, creative productions that aim to fill your ears with seriously good sounds. Head to the Eternity Podcast Network website to browse their range of quality podcasts.

HARD TIMES - Joseph

Happy New Year to you and welcome back!Term 1, 2022 brings a new season and a new series! These days we are experiencing hard times and that is the focus for the term. Do you think these are hard times? There are many who are sick, passing away, struggling with lockdown or lack of contact with others. If you are not experiencing hard times please don’t skip this series - it is the perfect time to learn all about troubles and suffering, so that when it comes, you will be prepared, you will be rooted in your faith and you will be able to continue putting your trust in him.If you are experiencing hard times, then this series is most definitely going to help you to find out all about what God is doing in your life.So it’s only fitting to talk about hard times. There are heaps of passages in the bible that talk about hard times. It says to expect hard times and be happy about them:Bible Passage: James 1:2“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” Bible Passage: Philippians 1:29“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.”  Bible Passage: 1 Peter 4:12“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.What do you think?Would you rather… Eat slugs or mice? Would you rather be extremely allergic to your favourite food or forced to eat your least favourite food once a week? Would you rather always have bad gas or always have really dry mouth? Would you rather live in a house with five million cockroaches or a house with five million flies? Story Time!The story from this episode is all about Sarah's suffering as a barren mother, and can be found in Genesis 18.God may not rescue everyone in the way we expect, or when we expect. He may be growing you through the circumstances he is letting you live through, or maybe he will rescue you in the end when it is time to come to heaven. We don’t know. The main thing is to stay faithful to him.Question Time!  Describe a time when you have suffered. What happened? Was there anything good that happened by you experiencing that? Was there a reason why God allowed you to have that experience? Next episode we will be looking at some of the benefits of suffering. Benefits you say? Yes, the bible is full of verses that explain how good suffering is for our character, as well as other things too! Want more?For all other episodes and more, check out our website at thewordonthestreetpodcast.com Follow Anna on her Facebook Page hereJoin The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group hereLike INSTAGRAM? Follow The Word On The Street Podcast hereFollow Anna on Instagram hereEternity Podcast Network is a collection of carefully considered, Biblically informed, creative productions that aim to fill your ears with seriously good sounds. Head to the Eternity Podcast Network website to browse their range of quality podcasts.

Happy New Year to you and welcome back!Term 1, 2022 brings a new season and a new series! These days we are experiencing hard times and that is the focus for the term. Do you think these are hard times? There are many who are sick, passing away, struggling with lockdown or lack of contact with others. If you are not experiencing hard times please don’t skip this series - it is the perfect time to learn all about troubles and suffering, so that when it comes, you will be prepared, you will be rooted in your faith and you will be able to continue putting your trust in him.If you are experiencing hard times, then this series is most definitely going to help you to find out all about what God is doing in your life.So it’s only fitting to talk about hard times. There are heaps of passages in the bible that talk about hard times. It says to expect hard times and be happy about them:Bible Passage: James 1:2“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” Bible Passage: Philippians 1:29“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.”   Bible Passage: 1 Peter 4:12“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. What do you think? Would you rather…<ol> <li>Eat slugs or mice?</li> <li>Would you rather be extremely allergic to your favourite food or forced to eat your least favourite food once a week?</li> <li>Would you rather always have bad gas or always have really dry mouth?</li> <li>Would you rather live in a house with five million cockroaches or a house with five million flies?</li> </ol> Story Time! The story from this episode is all about Sarah's suffering as a barren mother, and can be found in Genesis 18. God may not rescue everyone in the way we expect, or when we expect. He may be growing you through the circumstances he is letting you live through, or maybe he will rescue you in the end when it is time to come to heaven. We don’t know. The main thing is to stay faithful to him.Question Time! <ol> <li>Describe a time when you have suffered. What happened?</li> <li>Was there anything good that happened by you experiencing that?</li> <li>Was there a reason why God allowed you to have that experience?</li> </ol> Next episode we will be looking at some of the benefits of suffering. Benefits you say? Yes, the bible is full of verses that explain how good suffering is for our character, as well as other things too! Want more? For all other episodes and more, check out our website at <a href="https://www.thewordonthestreetpodcast.com/podcast/thewordonthestreetpodcast.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">thewordonthestreetpodcast.com  </a> Follow Anna on her Facebook Page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thewordonthestreetpodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Join The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/543910553118656" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Like INSTAGRAM?  Follow The Word On The Street Podcast <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thewordonthestreetpodcast/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> Follow Anna on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/annasware/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here </a> <a href="https://www.eternitynews.com.au/podcast-network/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eternity Podcast Network</a> is a collection of carefully considered, Biblically informed, creative productions that aim to fill your ears with seriously good sounds. Head to the Eternity Podcast Network website to browse their range of quality podcasts.

HARD TIMES - Sarah

A Christian podcast for parents AND children to listen to together? Yes please. Join Anna Ware as she challenge your kids to follow Jesus and prompts them to ask the deep questions. And the best part? You’ll be right there with them, answering their questions and chatting things over together! Anna Ware is a passionate Australian evangelical Christian from Sydney, Australia, who has a gift in explaining the complex things of Christianity in a simple and unique way that children love. Grab the kids, jump in the car, hook up the bluetooth and start having the God-conversations today!

The Word On The Street

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Best Episodes: Interesting Stories & Things

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