Episode 48

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Published on:

26th Oct 2023

A Miracle Might Get You on a Kill List

I doubt when Mary and Martha saw Jesus raise their beloved brother from the dead they anticipated Lazarus would soon be targeted for assassination. Yet that’s what happens. One of the reasons we must identify and confront right & wrong is because of its eventual outcome, not just its immediate impact in a person or society. I doubt when Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine at a wedding that if you had said to the religious leaders, “You’re going to be plotting an assassination against this man someday,” that they would have believed you. But that’s exactly where their refusal to lead a genuinely “examined” life led them.

In John 12:1-9, we see:

1. Worship and gratitude might make you a target of criticism from those who are close to you.

2. Receiving God's divine intervention (a miracle) might make you a target of outrage from those who are opposed to the status quo and Jesus’ presence making a real difference in your life and others.

3. Goodness and evil are insatiable. They have unending appetites. Goodness always wants to bless more, love more, care more. Evil always wants to enslave more, blind more, destroy more, deceive more. That’s one reason we must choose a life of intentionality and close relationships with godly people who really know us and are invited to speak into our lives. It’s another reason we must not only be “hearers” of the Word but “doers” so we do not deceive ourselves.

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Check out speaking engagements for women's gatherings, parenting conferences, and Christian education events.

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#christianfaith

#christianfamilies

#christianparenting

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About the Podcast

Live Only True Stories
Grow spiritually strong, emotionally healthy, and relationally wise by aligning your internal stories with truth.
The stories we tell ourselves impact every area of our life.
We begin telling ourselves stories as children--about ourself, others, life, God. We continue adding to our stories as adults.
Live Only True Stories empowers people to learn to investigate their stories. Keep those that are true. Change those that aren't.

Research-informed and Biblically sound insights offer real hope and help for growing spiritually strong, emotionally healthy, and relationally wise.

Stephanie brings depth and winsomeness, authority and vulnerability. A wife, mom, mother-in-law, and Nana, Stephanie is a speaker and writer who loves helping others flourish.
Learn more at her website, https://www.stephaniepresents.com/

About your host

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Stephanie Smith

Stephanie knows from experience good intentions aren't enough to be spiritually strong, emotionally healthy, and relationally smart--or to raise kids who are. She shares powerful Scriptural principles and science-backed insights into human behavior to equip people to grow good intentions into godly impact.

Stephanie's authenticity creates immediate connection with audiences both virtual and on the stage, while gracious authority provides clarity and confidence for listeners. Her leadership experience includes being a certified Primal Question coach, Christian school founding board member and teacher, homeschool cooperative founder, and Teen Theater Director.

Stephanie is a wife, mother of five grown sons, mother-in-law of four, and Nana to a growing tribe of awesome grandkids. She is committed to Psalm 17:17-18, proclaiming God's power to generations through wisdom forged in real life.