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How Reading the Bible Transforms Your Life

Episode Overview:

In this message, Pastor Charlie Mitchell explores how the Bible is not just for reading—it’s for transformation. Using Romans 12:1-2 as the foundation, he unpacks how our habits, culture, and surroundings constantly shape us, often without us even realizing it. But through intentional engagement with Scripture, we can be formed into the image of Jesus and participate in God’s story of redemption.

Key Takeaways:

1. Your Lifestyle is Your Worship

• Romans 12:1 – Our everyday lives—our habits, conversations, and actions—reflect our response to God.

• Worship isn’t just about Sunday services; it’s about how we live daily.

• Just as powerful stories draw us in, the Bible calls us to step into God’s story and live it out.

2. The World is Shaping You—Whether You Realize It or Not

• Romans 12:2a – “Do not be conformed to this age.”

• The culture around us is constantly shaping our identity, beliefs, and behaviors.

• Our habits, communities, and environments form us, often making us unknowingly reflect the world instead of Jesus.

3. Reading the Bible is Counter-Formation

• The Bible actively pushes against the mold of the world, reshaping us into Jesus’ image.

• Luke 6:39-40 – “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.”

• The goal isn’t just to read Scripture but to be shaped by it, just as Jesus was.

4. Transformation Requires Renewing Your Mind

• Romans 12:2b – “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

• True transformation is an ongoing process that involves changing our thoughts, desires, and behaviors.

• Reading the Bible isn’t just about gaining knowledge—it’s about changing who we are.

5. The Bible is the Primary Force of Transformation in Your Life

• Dallas Willard: “We come to the Scripture as part of our conscious strategy to cooperate with God for the full redemption of our life.”

• The Scriptures help us resist the cultural tide and allow God to reshape our identity and purpose.

• If we allow life to passively shape us, we’ll drift away from Jesus. Instead, we must intentionally immerse ourselves in the Word.

Practical Steps for Transformation:

1. Commit to a Daily Bible Reading Habit – Set a specific time each day to engage with Scripture.

2. Surround Yourself with People Who Point You to Jesus – Your community shapes you more than you realize.

3. Evaluate Your Habits – Are they forming you into the image of Christ or the world?

4. Be Intentional About Who and What Influences You – Social media, TV, and conversations all shape your thinking.

5. Pray for Transformation – Ask God to renew your mind and help you embody His Word in daily life.

Final Thoughts:

The will of God isn’t a mystery—it’s that we become more like Jesus. But we can’t discern God’s will if we aren’t submitted to His Word. The Bible is more than a book; it’s an invitation to transformation.

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Episode Overview:

In this episode of The Charlie Mitchell Teachings Podcast, Pastor Charlie Mitchell unpacks how the Bible is more than just a book—it’s the true story of the world. Many of us live by the narratives we’ve been told by culture, society, and our upbringing, but Scripture confronts and corrects these false realities. Through John 5:38-40, we’ll explore why knowledge alone doesn’t equal belief, why we must align ourselves with God’s truth, and how Jesus is the key to understanding Scripture.

Key Takeaways:

1. Everyone Lives by a Story—But Is It True?

• We all shape our lives based on a narrative that helps us answer big questions: Who are we? Where do we come from? What is our purpose?

• The American Dream, street culture, capitalism, politics, and religion all tell different stories.

• The Bible presents a superior, alternative story—the true story of the world.

2. Knowledge Alone Doesn’t Equal Belief (John 5:38-40)

• Jesus rebuked the religious leaders who had extensive knowledge of Scripture but failed to recognize Him as the Messiah.

• Memorizing verses, attending church, and even theological study don’t guarantee transformation.

• We often treat Jesus like a “roommate” rather than the Lord of our lives:

• “Jesus, you can stay here, but don’t mess with my money, my relationships, my lifestyle.”

• True belief means surrendering our way of seeing the world to Him.

3. The Bible is Not a Self-Help Manual—It’s About Jesus

• “You pore over the scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, and yet they testify about me.” (John 5:39)

• Many approach the Bible looking for answers to personal problems—career success, relationships, finances—without actually seeking Jesus.

• The Bible is not a “how-to” book for life; it’s the story of Jesus and His kingdom.

• If we read the Bible for personal gain rather than transformation, we miss its purpose.

4. Why People Reject the Truth of the Bible

• Many resist Scripture because it challenges their worldview.

• John 3:19 – “The light has come into the world, but people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.”

• People often claim to seek truth, but when confronted with reality, they reject it.

• The Bible exposes our flaws, sins, and brokenness, which can be uncomfortable.

5. The Danger of Trusting Your Own Vision (Proverbs 14:12)

• Pilots in low visibility can lose their sense of direction, trusting their instincts rather than their instruments.

• The Bible is our instrument panel—it shows us reality even when we feel otherwise.

• “There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

• We must trust God’s Word over our feelings, instincts, and cultural influences.

Practical Steps to Align with God’s Reality:

1. Read the Bible for Truth, Not Just Inspiration – Approach Scripture to discover who God is, not just for quick solutions.

2. Submit to Jesus as Lord – Don’t just let Him “stay in your house”; let Him renovate it.

3. Examine Your Beliefs – Are they shaped by Scripture or by culture?

4. Surround Yourself with Biblical Community – Who influences your understanding of reality?

5. Pray for Clarity – Ask God to help you see the world as He sees it.

Final Thoughts:

We read the Bible not just for knowledge or personal gain, but to see reality as God sees it. If we ignore

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Episode Title: "The Bible: A Covenant of Relationship"

Episode Overview:
In this episode, Pastor Charlie Mitchell unpacks why reading the Bible is essential for followers of Jesus, focusing on the relational aspect of scripture. He explains how the Bible serves as a covenant, aka a relational document, that defines our relationship with Jesus, guiding us to love, obey, and know Him more deeply. Pastor Charlie shares personal reflections, biblical insights, and practical steps to make the Bible an integral part of your walk with Christ.

Episode Highlights:

1. The Bible as a Covenant Document:
   • Just as major life decisions often involve verbal agreements and written documentation, our relationship with Jesus is mediated through His Word.
   • The Bible is a covenant document that outlines the nature of our relationship with God and invites us to respond in obedience and love.
   • Reading the Bible is not just a religious practice; it is foundational to following Jesus.
2. Obedience as an Expression of Love:
   • Key Verse: John 14:15 – “If you love me, you will keep my commands.”
   • To love Jesus is to obey His teachings, as the Bible reflects His will and commands.
   • The Bible is more than a book of commands or moral stories; it is the story of God’s relentless pursuit of humanity and His desire to rescue and redeem us.
   • How we respond to the Bible reflects how we respond to Jesus.
3. Making the Bible a Part of You:
   • Key Verse: John 14:17 – “He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you.”
   • The Bible helps us internalize God’s Word, enabling the Holy Spirit to guide and transform us.
   • Practical steps: meditate on scripture, commit to studying, and make the Word a regular part of your life.
   • Supporting Scripture: Psalms 119:15-16 – “I will meditate on your precepts and think about your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.”
4. Eternal Security and Hope in the Bible:
   • Key Passage: John 14:18-21 – Jesus reassures His disciples that He will never leave them as orphans.
   • The Bible provides eternal promises, offering us hope and security in our relationship with God.
   • True discipleship is marked by obedience to Jesus' commands, living them out, and teaching them to others.

Practical Application:

• Commit to Regular Bible Reading: Start or deepen your practice of engaging with scripture daily.
• Meditate and Memorize: Reflect on and internalize the Word to let it shape your life.
• Align with Jesus: Remember that to follow Jesus is to live in accordance with His teachings found in the Bible.
• Read in Community: Join a Bible study or reading plan to grow alongside others.

Key Takeaway:
We read the Bible because we love Jesus and want to know Him more deeply. The Bible is not just a book of rules but a relational document that guides us into a closer walk with Christ. As we read, obey, and internalize His Word, we experience the transformative power of His presence in our lives.

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Contact Charlie

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Thank you for listening!

May you be covered in His dust.