All posts by LaurenEstella

Bible Study

EGI Episode 5: Faith and Conflict Management

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Episode 5: Faith and Conflict Management

 Conflict can be good when it brings out feelings and concerns in individuals, groups, and teams leading to a cooperative spirit, but it can be very bad when (a) the source and type of conflict can’t be determined (b) there is no solutions in place to handle it and (c) not knowing where we fit in regards to conflict management quadrants.

Christians should have an understanding in three areas so they can approach conflict with skills talk in scripture.

  1. Understanding the types and sources of conflict

Conflict is stirred up by a hot-tempered heart

“A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel” (Proverbs 15:18).

Conflict is stirred up by a perverse heart

“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends” (Proverbs 16:28).
Conflict is stirred up by a greedy heart

“The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper (Proverbs 28:25).

Conflict is stirred up by an angry heart

“An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins” (Proverbs 29:2).

  1. Understand solutions to conflict

Conflict can be solved if others get involved

“But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses’” (Matthew 18:16).

Conflict needs to be resolved before leaving a gift to God

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24)

Conflict needs to be dealt with right away

“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny” (Matthew 5:25-26).

3. Understand where you are in regards to handling conflict and why.

We must understand why we have conflict and how we process it individually.

There is a popular assessment for conflict management, the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument or TKI analysis, shares five areas that individuals gravitate to when involved with conflict.  These areas are Competing, Collaborating, Compromising, Avoiding, and Accommodating.  In order for us to handle conflict we must understand if we are underusing or over using these five areas.  We must do an assessment of our self to see where we sit in these areas and set goals that build a cooperative spirit and balance in them all.

Once we understand how we can stay in balance we also must understand why conflict happens so much especially to use as Christians.

Ephesians 6:12, tells us our battle on earth as Christians “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”.

So in conclusion: Conflict will always be with us as Christians, but by assessing ourselves and knowing the source and solution we can overcome it successfully.

Lauren&Estella

Bible Study

Edge God In Podcast 7: What’s Your “Precious?

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Dear Lord, I find myself running to the cave clinging to the thing that I feel I need in order to know that I am Ok, enough and valued. Help me to remember that nothing the world has to offer can compare to the surpassing knowledge of knowing you as my Lord and Savior. Help me not to follow shiny objects that upon my grip lose their shine. Tolkien so wisely chose the name Gollum, the “unman” to represent the man or woman who has lost themselves in the fetish. Protect me from losing myself in trinkets and positions in life that have no power to save or satisfy. You are my Lord and Savior, I lack nothing with you.

Edge God In Podcast  7 : What’s Your “Precious?”

Click Here to Download the PDF Edge God In Bible Study for this Podcast: Edge God In Podcast 7 What Is Your Precious?

 

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EGI Episode 6: Setting Christian Norms

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We as Christians must have norms and values to do the lords work.  We must understand how to guide each other to effective member behavior, which is not easy because of (1) the flesh and (2) interpersonal problems that get in the way.

So what does this mean for us to have Christian norms and values?

Is it Ethics or Morally Driven? And who gives us this compass to follow?

There are 3 things that will guide you in setting Christian norms for you and your teams

  1. Know your absolute authority is with Christ.

Christians are given God’s grace which places our lives under the absolute lordship of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:21 – “For me to live is Christ” meaning he is the center of our life.

Romans 13:1 – Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

  1. Know where the source of our norms comes from.

What is clear from I Corinthians 11 is that the norms for us do not lie in our culture, but rather in the Word of God., and that God’s Word and God’s Spirit bring with them a new culture. Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

  1. React to other by Gods examples

Jesus says in John 13:15: “…I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you”

Romans 2:14 says that “the Gentiles who have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law.”

So in order for us as Christians to establish norms, we must look beyond the written communicative, respectful and problem-solving aspects in the secular world and dig look deeper in the word of God.

Paul shares that if that was written in man’s conscience at creation, why do we need the Ten Commandments?’ the answer is that our conscience has fallen.

Conscience can only be our guide if our conscience is ruled by the Word of God.

Estella & Lauren

Bible Study, Christian, Faith, how to, tips for purpose driven life

How to Kick In God’s Power…

Are you worn out at Peter was after fishing all night without anything to show for it? Reflect on Luke 5:5 and 2 Peter 2:19. Has your “doing” in life creating an interior prison linking your worth to your achievements? Ask the Lord: where would you have me go today? Who would you have me speak to? What do you want me to spend my time doing with the gifts and talents you have given to me? When Peter stepped away from the enslavement of his own efforts into the Lord’s guidance: “Go out into deep waters and cast your nets” it was then that he came to the end of himself which is when God kicks in. Let Go and Let God Move You into His Will Today.

Let God and Lean Into God. When you get to the end of yourself it is then that God’s mighty power and will begins.

Because of His Love,

Lauren <><

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Edge God In Podcast 4: To Trust or Not to Trust In God

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Dear Lord, help me to trust in you more today than yesterday. If I truly put my trust in you then peace and confidence will be my way in all of my dealings today. Forgive me for the moments when I forget that you are working on my behalf for your glory behind closed doors as I trust in you. Expand within me a deep desire to rely on your purposes for me, to prosper me and not to harm me, to give me hope and a future. When I start to worry move me to do something kind for someone else. As I forget about myself, what I think, want and need my ability to experience inner peace and freedom expands. 

Edge God In Podcast 4: To Trust or Not to Trust In God…The Choice is Yours and Leads to Inner Peace or Turmoil

Click Here to Download the PDF Edge God In Bible Study for this Podcast: Edge God In Podcast Week 4 To Trust or Not to Trust

Bible Study, Christian, Faith

EGI Episode 3: Spiritual Energy

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There is a lot of talk about energy especially in reference to spiritual energy.  In new age teaching Spiritual energy” is felt to be no less real than any other energy, like electricity for example, and thought to be more vastly important. Spiritual energy in this sense is prana (also known as “universal life force” or “qi”) carried by pure love.

But we as Christians need to understand what does God teaching tell us about energy in the spiritual sense.

Estella and Lauren discuss important things that we as Christian’s need understand about energy based on Gods Principles.  Three topics for discussion includes…

  1. Knowing who God is
  2. Knowing what  God teaches
  3. Knowing how he wants us to apply all the energy he has given us
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EGI Episode 2: Three Things that Block Gods Favor

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Edge God In Episode 2, hosted by Estella and Lauren, gives the listener three things that block Gods Favor. The lesson begins with Deuteronomy 28, sharing the positive rewards experienced when in Gods favor and continues by taking the listener through the three steps and solutions needed to stay in the favor of God.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 28: And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth….

Step 1. Listening to the voices in the world instead of God’s voice.

Solution: First Things First: Commit to daily mindful living in constant conversation with God. 2. Following idols: popularity; possessions and power.

Step 2. Following idols: popularity; possessions and power.

Solution: Step off the stage, stop casting yourself in the drama and allow God to place you in His will.

Step 3. Avoid tuning into and obeying what God tells you.

Solution: Bookend your day with prayer and scripture meditation and pull the lesson through your day ending the day with reflection around the ways you succeeded in God and those areas you compromised for the sake of worldly approval.

~ LaurenEstella 2017

Faith, how to, Inspiration, prayer

2017 10 Things to Believe


Below are 10 beliefs that I recently heard from one of my spiritual mentors in life, Joyce Meyer and have expanded upon. She has powerful credibility in this area because she was sexually abused by her father until she was 18. She could have believed that she was the abuse and she could have allowed the abuse to define her worth and value; however, she chose to believe 10 things that led to her victory over the mind muck which blocked her joy for many years. Perhaps there is a belief contained in the following information that will help you reclaim your victory over hardship in the New Year.

 

Prune for growth in the area of inner strength and confidence as you step into the New Year remembering that the One who dwells within in is greater than circumstance. This is a practice which led to my own healing and restoration when I went through advanced cancer and divorce at the same time:

 

  1. Believe that God is good, no matter what trial is going on outside of you. I learned through my own trial, through cancer and divorce, that God has the ability to bring about a greater good than had the hardship never even occurred.
  2. Believe that it will ultimately work out. Consider the rose that appears in the midst of the thorns…how is that possible, you may ask, that such beauty appears in the midst of such a pain producing element? Open your eyes in nature and you will see this relationship repeat itself, perhaps as a sign to help us remember when we forget: the rainbow can only appear in or after the storm.
  3. God is greater than your problems and with Him nothing is impossible with God. God believes you can…do you?
  4. Believe that your break through is going to manifest at any moment.
  5. Believe that you hear from God. Don’t ever say, “I wish I could hear from God” say, “I hear from God and I am led by the Holy Spirit.” My first book, Hearing His Whisper, contains my conversations with God before, during and after the trial. They began with the same prayer the young boy Samuel used to unlock his ability to hear the voice of God, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
  6. Believe that God has heard your prayers and expect an answer. Each day I claim the answer I desire, “Thank you God for my healing.” Just as the blind man when asked by Jesus, “What do you want me to do for you?” replied quickly and perhaps with confidence and faith, “Lord, I want to see.”
  7. Believe that God’s healing power is working in your body and you will feel better and stronger every day.
  8. Believe God gives you favor every where you go and that you don’t have to work at being accepted by people. Let God give you favor. Moving into the New Year I have started to proclaim the following statement as I transition from one activity to another: “God’s favor is with me where ever I go.”
  9. Believe that God is working in your life and the lives of your loved ones and you are changing all the time, stepping into the person you are created to be. Believe that God sees you for who you desire to be rather than how your behavior shows up and offer the same generous assumption to those around you. Practice kindness and compassion.
  10. Believe, Believe, Believe! “All things are possible for those who believe.” Mark 9:23. Make love and confidence your way in the New Year!

Happy New Year and God’s Favor to You!

Lauren <><