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What if the life you want can only be found on the other side of surrender? We open Luke 9:23 and sit with Jesus’ words to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him—then we trace what that actually looks like when comfort collides with calling.

Jonathan walks through the stark paradox at the heart of discipleship: losing life to find it, dying to truly live. We contrast the rich young ruler’s sorrowful refusal with the fishermen who left everything to pursue a greater joy. Their flaws didn’t disqualify them; their direction did the shaping. From there, we bring the call into the present: obedience when it hurts, forgiveness when wounded, faithfulness when unseen, and integrity when compromise feels easier. Along the way, we keep our eyes on Christ’s pattern—He carried His cross for our redemption and leads us on a path where the cross is never the end. Resurrection is.

This conversation doesn’t romanticize sacrifice; it locates it within hope. We count the cost with honesty, remember brothers and sisters who suffer for their faith, and anchor our courage in Romans 8:18. Then we get practical with probing questions to help you surrender your schedule, your desires, and your hidden motives. You’ll leave with a clearer sense of what it means to release control, why you can’t carry the cross in one hand and the world in the other, and how the “great exchange” trades temporary comfort for durable joy, peace, and purpose that nothing can take away.

If this encouraged your faith, share it with a friend, subscribe for more gospel-centered episodes, and leave a review to help others find the show. What’s the one area you’ll surrender to Jesus this week?

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Ever wonder why so many sincere believers still feel unmoored—attending services, sampling sermons, but never truly belonging? We explore how Scripture paints a richer, sturdier vision of the local church and why being counted and known is essential to a healthy Christian life. With Pastor Jim at the table, we walk through Acts 2’s immersive community, where teaching, prayer, generosity, and the Lord’s Supper form a shared life that assumes clear commitment. We look at Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 to show how one body with many members actually functions, honoring both visible and hidden gifts. And we turn to Hebrews 13:17 to explain why shepherds must know their flock and why meaningful accountability only works when people commit to a real congregation.

From there, we get practical. We highlight four positives that make membership compelling: belonging that endures conflict and builds trust, accountability that cares rather than surveils, ministry that helps you discover and deploy your gifts, and mission that links your life to the Great Commission through a specific church family. We share personal stories about planting roots, resisting church hopping, and finding joy in co‑laboring for the gospel. You’ll hear why busyness is not the same as growth, how leaders can create healthy on‑ramps for service, and why settling into a church helps you flourish without burning out.

This conversation aims to help you love Christ’s bride as he does, embracing the ordinary means God uses to make extraordinary disciples. If you’re wrestling with membership, seeking a place to blossom, or simply needing fresh courage to stay and serve, this one’s for you. If it helps, share it with a friend, subscribe for future episodes, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Have a question about church membership? Email questions at pleasinggodpodcast.org.

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The most important conversations in a church rarely happen behind a desk; they start in pews, hallways, and kitchens. We sat down with Pastor Seth to explore how counseling can move from a specialized silo to a normal rhythm of discipleship, where Scripture, the Spirit, and the local church work together to bring hope, clarity, and change. Instead of outsourcing every struggle, we outline a path to recover competent Christian counseling inside the body—biblical, compassionate, and practical.

We dig into why counseling is baked into creation itself, why the fall makes it indispensable, and how the Bible equips us for salvation and sanctification. Seth shares a clear framework for competence: a counselor shaped by God’s Word, dependent on the Counselor-Spirit, and supported by a healthy church. We talk through common tensions—when to keep care in-house, when to refer, and how to navigate intimidating labels without losing pastoral wisdom. Expect concrete examples, from helping marriages on the brink to guiding everyday decisions, all while keeping the gospel central.

You’ll hear how ordinary believers can grow a baseline of skill, why pastors must equip rather than carry every burden, and practical ways to build a culture of “member-to-member” care. We highlight tools and training that actually change lives, starting with our own. If you’ve wondered how to help people suffer well, counsel unbelievers with integrity, or turn Sunday sermons into weekday care, this conversation will give you steps you can use immediately.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a leader who cares about people, and leave a review to help others find it. Got questions or stories from your church? Reach out—we’d love to hear them.

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