The Rob Skinner Podcast: Helping You Make This Life Count

The Rob Skinner Podcast will inspire you to: • Live a no-regrets life • Make this life count • Multiply disciples, leaders, and churches

337. Bringing Life to Forgotten Churches: Interview with Bob Shanks 09/15/2025

336. Financially Independent at 40: Octave Lindly Talks About How to Achieve Financial Freedom 09/08/2025

335. How to Enjoy Peace of Mind 09/01/2025

335. How to Enjoy Peace of Mind How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast. If you would like to help support my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches, click here: Transcript of How to Enjoy Peace of Mind When Jesus was about to leave this world, he told his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) He knew that he was headed for the cross. He knew his disciples were going to experience trials, tough times and lots of trouble. His gift to them was peace. Peace of mind. I think the idea of peace of mind gets overlooked today. There is a lot of study on the concept of happiness, and I think these things are related. Happiness is often connected to what you have, who you’re with and where you are going. Peace is independent of all of those things and is available to every disciple in every circumstance, right now. I want you to think about a time when you were enjoying peace of mind. When you really felt calm and joyful inside. What was that like? Can you share about that experience? Let’s take a look at how to enjoy more of the gift Jesus gave us, the gift of peace. 1. Abstain from Sinful Desires. Peter shares this in 1 Peter 2:11, “11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.” There is nothing that will destroy your peace of mind more easily than unrestrained sinful desires. This is why Jesus counsels in Matthew 5:30 that, “if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.” Jesus is not being mean or “old school,” he’s being realistic. If you are compromising or tolerating a certain level of sin in your life, you’re going to have difficulty enjoying the peace of mind Jesus promises. Peter rephrases Jesus’ command by telling us to abstain, which means, “to refrain deliberately and often with an effort of self-denial from an action or practice.” That can mean alcohol, swearing, media consumption, shopping, news binging and other controlling habits. As a disciple of Jesus, this world is not your home. You need to live with a level of detachment as a foreigner. When Pam and I lived in Japan, there were many things that went straight over our heads as foreigners and “Gai-Jin.” The jokes, the culture, the conformity to custom. If you want peace of mind, don’t negotiate, don’t tolerate, don’t rationalize, instead abstain. As Thomas A’Kempis said in the Imitation of Christ, “true peace of heart is found in resisting passions, not in yielding to them.” 2. Put your love into action. 1 John 3:16-19. 16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 19 This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence.” Resisting evil is only one part of the equation to find peace. John advises us to live and love like Jesus did. Loving in actions and truth reminds you that you belong to the truth and sets your heart at rest in his presence. It doesn’t earn you a spot in heaven, but it reminds you of your identity as a child of God. If you want peace of mind, wake up each day with a determination to actively serve someone, help someone, encourage someone, assist someone, help someone move, comfort someone, advise someone, offer someone your time, energy or expertise. Next time you are prompted by the spirit, act on that nudge. Love in action and truth. Enjoy peace of mind and set your heart at rest in his presence. 3. Remember God is Greater than Your Feelings. 1 John 3:19-20. This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Our feelings and thoughts are often the worst offenders when it comes to disrupting our peace of mind. Our self-judgment, self-criticism, wacky thoughts, catastrophic fears, fatalistic ideas, borrowed concepts from the world, childhood thoughts, inherited ideas all contribute to a lack of peace. As Tom Ferry says, “"Negative self-talk is the equivalent of letting a drunk monkey loose in your kitchen." That’s when we need to remind ourselves that God is far greater than our feelings. Our feelings don’t define reality, they are only an impression of reality. The God who made the world, who chose you before the creation of the world, who personally showed up in the world to rescue you is going to bring to completion what he started when he called you. He knows all about you and your quirks, faults and failures and he still adores you. You need to take captive those misguided thoughts and make them obedient to Christ, who is greater than your heart. Take some time each day to sit quietly and focus on the greatness of God, a scripture or a noble thought. When a weird thought pops up, don’t freak out. Just look at it and ask yourself, is this thought from God? What’s the reality? 4. Actively pursue peace of mind. 2 Timothy 2:22. “22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” If you have overlooked, undervalued or ignored the concept of peace of mind, it might be time to reevaluate it. Jesus considered it a top gift and at the critical event of his life, the cross, he gave the gift of peace to those who followed him. You might want to find out why Jesus considered it so important. In fact, I’d do more than think about it, I’d pursue it. Make it a priority along with righteousness, faith a love. All the “cool kids” who have pure hearts are doing it. I like what Naval Ravikant shares in his almanack: “When I was younger, I really, really valued freedom. Freedom was one of my core values. Ironically, it still is. It’s probably one of my top three values, but it’s now a different definition of freedom. My old definition was “freedom to.” Freedom to do anything I want. Freedom to do whatever I feel like, whenever I feel like. Now, the freedom I’m looking for is internal freedom. It’s “freedom from.” Freedom from reaction. Freedom from feeling angry. Freedom from being sad. Freedom from being forced to do things. I’m looking for “freedom from,” internally and externally, whereas before I was looking for “freedom to.” Naval is not a disciple, but I think there is value here. Peace of mind is “freedom from.” You can enjoy peace, joy, and contentment in any stage of life, relationship status, financial circumstance, health status, location or any other environment. Make a decision that you are going to pursue peace of mind. Make it a conscious goal to enjoy Jesus’ gift to you. /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/37970705

334. How to Become a Loving Person 08/26/2025

334. How to Become a Loving Person How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast. If you would like to help support my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches, click here: Transcript for How to Become a Loving Person Pam and I just moved to Boston from Tucson, Arizona. We lived there for 13 years. We planted the church there and created so many memories. The last month we were there, we were busy packing up and saying goodbye to people. It’s hard to condense thirteen years into a few goodbyes. You know what was most important to Pam and me? Knowing that I loved the people there and that they loved me. When I heard people share how I had helped them and loved them, that’s all that mattered. There were many things people shared that I had forgotten about. They were often small things, but they were big to those people. Coming here I decided to have a simple focus, to love. That’s the goal. What’s your goal? · Make friends? · Find a romantic relationship · Make a difference? It’s easy to remain unconnected with people even when you are surrounded by them. Let’s figure out how to grow in love: Let’s read 1 Timothy 1:3-6 3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. Paul is advising Timothy how to lead the church in Ephesus. He tells him to command people to stop wasting time with empty words, false doctrine, gossip and backbiting. He says the goal of this command is love. Love provides the environment that advances God’s work. If you’ve ever been in a dysfunctional family or church, you know how God’s work gets sidelined when love takes a backseat to controversy. Love is too general of a goal to approach directly. It really has to be broken down. How do you become a more loving person? How do you experience more love in your heart? How do you change and grow into a person who is surrounded by loving people? Paul explains that love is like a tree that grows when it’s in the soil of a pure heart, good conscience and a sincere faith. Let’s break that down: · Love Comes From A Pure Heart Proverbs 4:23-27, Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. 24 Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. 26 Give careful thought to the[] paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. The Bible says guard your heart because everything you do flows from it. When you allow poison into your heart, it kills the love that wants to grow there. The first way to keep your heart pure is to watch what you say. Keep your words positive, faithful and upbuilding. Paul was pointing out the “meaningless talk” and empty words of the Christians. How are you doing in what you say? Are you loving people with your words or tearing them down? One decision Pam and I made before we left Tucson was that we were going to encourage every person specifically who came to church. We spent several midweek services praising and thanking every member and person who was attending. There were people in the audience who we had conflicts with. There were a few people who we had funny feelings toward and they felt the same toward us. But we decided to only praise and encourage. It was amazing. My feelings for those people changed and when they had a farewell party for us, they were so loving and kind. Take a minute to say something positive about the next person you run into. Whether you are at work, the gym, in class or at home, deliberately take a second to say something encouraging to the next person you bump into. It can be as simple as “I like your shirt” or “I’m glad you’re here” but make a decision to use your words for good if you want to have a pure heart. The second way to develop a pure heart is to 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Be careful what you are looking at. It’s hard to be loving when you have no boundaries for what you allow your eyes to see. · Shopping · Money · Sex The summer after I graduated from high school, I was dating a girl who had won a miss teen America pageant. Needless to say, she was pretty. But I got distracted. Instead of focusing on her, I got focused on buying a 1965 Volkswagen. I paid $1,100 for it and then the same week I bought it, the engine blew. I spent that summer working full time to buy and then rebuild it. I was so obsessed with that car, I would work 24-hour shifts at the fairgrounds picking up trash to earn money. My eyes were on the car and not my girlfriend. Guess what happened? She dumped me for someone who was willing to pay attention to her. What are you focused on? Where are you eyes looking? It’s hard to love when your eyes are focused on the wrong thing. · Love Comes From A Good Conscience When you guard your heart and start cultivating a pure heart, it leads to a good conscience. You start feeling peace of mind. It’s hard to feel loving when you know that what you believe and the way you are living are in conflict. You feel like a fraud and a faker. If you’d like to improve your peace of mind, take some time to talk to someone about what’s going on in your life. There are always going to be gaps in our life and doctrine, acknowledging those gaps goes a long way toward creating a good conscience and closing the gap. When’s the last time you talked to someone about what is bothering your conscience? You know what is the hardest call to make? The call to let someone know that you aren’t perfect, that you blew it and that you made a mistake. I was just reading Seneca this morning and he said, “Why does no one admit his failings? Because he’s still deep in them. It’s the person who’s awakened who recounts his dream, and acknowledging one’s failings is a sign of health.” I have a discipling relationship with someone that I talk to regularly. I hate it when I’ve got a sin I need to confess and talk about. Whether it’s lust, something stupid I said, whether I was sharp in my tone with Pam or any other thing, I don’t want to make that call and talk to the person. But my conscience bothers me. I don’t have a good conscience. But what Seneca is saying is encouraging. The fact that my conscience does bother me shows that I am spiritually alive and sensitive. I’d be in real trouble if I didn’t feel the need to deal with my sin. Seneca goes on to say, “With afflictions of the spirit, though, the opposite is the case: the worse a person is, the less he feels it.” · Love Comes From A Sincere Faith Paul is pointing out the difference between love and empty talk that masquerades as religion. God is looking for disciples who show express their faith by practicing love not empty talk. My life previous to Jesus was empty words. I wasn’t loving and I didn’t have a genuine and sincere faith. My friends would be surprised when I offered to help them or serve. When you focus on planting seeds of purity, good conscience and sincere faith love will follow. Jesus is the ultimate example of this passage. His heart was pure, his conscience was good and his faith was sincere. It revealed itself through love and sacrifice: Romans 5:6-8, 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Every week at church we remember the one person who consistently hit the goal of loving. He showed it by giving his life for those who aren’t. That’s why Jesus told us to take time to remember his life and death every week. It reminds us how much we are loved and inspires us to be more loving. Look what Seneca, the stoic philosopher wrote: Happy the man who improves other people not merely when he is in their presence but even when he is in their thoughts! And happy, too, is the person who can so revere another as to adjust and shape his own personality in the light of recollections, even, of that other. A person able to revere another thus will soon deserve to be revered himself…Choose someone whose way of life as well as words, and whose very face as mirroring the character that lies behind it, have won your approval. Be always pointing him out to yourself either as your guardian or as your model. There is a need, in my view, for someone as a standard against which our characters can measure themselves. Without a ruler to do it against you won’t make the crooked straight. Wouldn’t it be awesome to be a consistently loving person? How amazing it’d be to be known as an extremely loving person. Let me remind you of some steps to building a loving heart: · Watch your words · Watch your eyes · Be honest with your life · Get around people who are going in the right direction · Build a sincere faith and learn the truth /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/37970680

333. The Power of Right Now 08/15/2025

333. The Power of Right Now How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast. If you would like to help support my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches, click here: There are three things that we can start doing that will take our faith from theory to practice every single day. All we need to do is: 1. Encourage right now 2. Connect right now 3. Pray right now Find out how in this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast! How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast. If you would like to help support my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches, click here: The Power of Right Now Introduction · Have you ever listened to someone’s story and then said, “I’ll pray for you.” After saying that you quickly forgot about it and never prayed for the person. · Have you ever had a person pop up in your head and you thought, I wonder how they are doing? I bet that person could use a call. After that thought you quickly moved on and never followed up. · Have you ever felt the impulse to reach out and share with someone and then backed off because you were: Ø Too busy Ø Too tired Ø Afraid of their reaction Instead of acting on that impulse, you let the Spirit’s prompting pass away. If you can remember at least one time that happened to you, you understand the importance of living out your faith, “Right Now.” That’s why I want to talk to you tonight about the power of “right now.” There are three things that we can start doing that will take our faith from theory to practice every single day. All we need to do is: 1. Encourage right now 2. Connect right now 3. Pray right now 1. Encourage Right Now Paul talks about the power of right now in Ephesians 5:15-20. “15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul tells us to be very careful how we live. Why, because the days are evil. That’s why we need to realize the power of right now and make the most of every opportunity. Ø Right now people are struggling with temptation Ø Right now disciples are targeted by Satan Ø Right now friends you know are dealing with health issues Ø Right now Christians are considering leaving God and his church Ø Right now people you thought were solid are feeling shaky How can you help? § Encourage people right now § Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit § Share scriptures that encourage you § Praise people § Thank people § Lift people up § Share positively about people who aren’t here right now o I really appreciate Stuart. His work in Boston has inspired me and is one of the reasons Pam and I wanted to move here. He is an extremely encouraging person. Often times we know these things and we have positive thoughts about others, but we don’t take advantage of the power of now to encourage others. Let’s make the most of this opportunity by turning to the person next to you and encourage them with: § Positive words § Gratitude § A scripture § Praise 2. Connect Right Now Let’s read Colossians 4:5, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” Paul says we need to be wise in how we deal with those aren’t following Jesus. We need to make the most of every opportunity. God gives us opportunities every day to help those around us. If we want to see God work in our life, we need to connect every day. On my first Sunday, I was sitting in front of a couple that I could tell were visiting. I introduced myself and they shared they were here for the first time. A few minutes later I saw someone else talking to them and being kind to them. That brother understood the power of right now. At the end of the service, I looked back and they were gone, but I know that brother had exchanged information with them. He had made the most of every opportunity. God gives us opportunities to love and serve those around us every day. We just need to be aware and ready to make the most of every opportunity. Ø When we are at work Ø When we are in an elevator Ø When we are checking out of the store When I arrived, the first thing I did was ask Stuart for some invitation cards to connect when God gave me an opportunity. It’s been so much fun to connect and see the power of now: Ø My movers Ø Dunkin Donuts Ø Roche Brothers I think one of the easiest ways aside from reaching out at church on Sunday is simply texting your friends and letting them know what you are doing. It’s soft, it’s gentle, it’s loving and if they’re aren’t interested they can ignore you. However, a simple text can change a person’s life. Let’s take advantage of the power of now. Pull out your phone and text a friend or coworker. Just text them something loving like: “Just thinking about you. Hope you are doing well.” If you want to go an extra step, you can add, “I’d love for you to join me this Sunday at church” 3. Pray Right Now How else can we make the most of right now? We can pray for each other in the moment. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said “I’ll pray for you” and then forgot to do it. But then I found a way to avoid that. When someone shares something serious, heavy, or worthy of prayer, I use that as a trigger to pray right then and there. Prayer makes a difference, but if you never follow through, you missed the power of right now. Look at how James describes how powerful prayer really is: “13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” James writes that if we or someone we know is going through something, anything-our first response should be to pray. Why? Prayer is powerful and effective. Prayer moves God. God can do anything. He then launches into a story about Elijah, who he says was a normal person just like us. His prayers changed weather patterns. Would you like to save someone from death, bring wanderers back, return people to the truth and cover over a multitude of sins? It all starts with praying. Praying right now. Let’s pray right now by asking the person next to us, “What can I pray for you about?” After listening, hold hands and pray for that person. After that let the other person ask, “What can I pray for you about.” After the person shares a need, put your hands on his or her shoulder or hold hands and say a prayer for them. Pray right now. Conclusion Can you imagine how your life would fill up with joy and power if you started making the most of every opportunity? What if on a daily basis you began to: 1. Encourage right now 2. Connect right now 3. Pray right now I believe you would begin to draw closer to God and people and you would be begin to see miracles happen. That’s the power of “Right Now.” Ice Cream Social /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/37836730

332. The Best of RSP: Interview with Gordon Ferguson (Originally Released as Episode 172, August 2022) 06/30/2025

332. The Best of RSP: Interview with Gordon Ferguson (Originally Released as Episode 172, August 2022) How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast. If you would like to help support my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches, click here: Join me today as I talk to Gordon Ferguson. Gordon has served as an Evangelist, Elder, Teacher and Author. He talks about: His journey to Christ The secret to his happy marriage with his wife, Theresa How he got connected with the discipling movement What went through his mind as he lay close to death from cancer What he’d do differently if he had his life to do over again What he sees as essential for future growth in our family of churches More About Gordon: Education 1961-1965 Northwestern State University BME (Bachelor of Music Education) 1966-1968 Northwestern State University Graduate Studies (Edu. Admin.) 1970-1972 Preston Road School of Preaching Diploma 1974-1979 Harding School of Theology M.A. (New Testament Studies) Professional Ministry Summary  Over 50 years experience as a ministry staff member.  Served on ministry staff in five different states.  Preached and taught in many states of the US and many foreign countries, including most countries in Continental Europe, a number of countries in Asia and Latin America, Ukraine, and Great Britain.  Instructor in the Preston Road School of Preaching − Dallas, Texas.  Director of the New England/Continental Europe School of Ministry  Dean and teacher in the Ukraine Institute of Ministry and in the Asia-Pacific Leadership Academy.  Director of the Pacific School of Ministry in Los Angeles.  Part-time staff as teacher in the Dallas/Fort Worth Church.  Writing: seventeen books, numerous audio and video materials, plus articles and chapters in a number of additional books.  Roles: evangelist, elder and teacher in various locales. Family Wife: Theresa, married 57 years – January 30, 2022 Children: Bryan and Renee (five grandchildren – four grandsons and one granddaughter, ages 16-23) Age: 79 as of October 27, 2021 /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/36461065

331. The Best of RSP: Interview with Lynne Green, Seattle, Washington, USA (Episode 28) 06/23/2025

330. The Best of RSP, Mike Fontenot: A Life Dedicated to The Ministry. Originally Released as Episode 7. 06/16/2025

330. The Best of RSP, Mike Fontenot: A Life Dedicated to The Ministry. Originally Released as Episode 7. How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast. If you would like to help support my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches, click here: While on sabbatical I am releasing some of my most listened to episodes from my podcast. Mike Fontenot's is one of my most popular interviews. It was originally released as episode #7. Please enjoy! Who is Mike Fontenot? Mike Fontenot became a Christian in 1969. After graduating from Louisiana State University, he went to Fuller Seminary for his Master's Degree. He and his wife, Tess, planted a church in Sydney, Australia in the early eighties. That church has grown to three hundred members and they have planted churches all over Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. At an age that many have long retired, Mike is still passionately working to advance the gospel "Down Under." In this interview, Mike shares about his journey as a Christian, church planter and church multiplier. He shares how he has kept his spiritual fire burning brightly for over fifty years. Program Outline How did you become Christians? Tell me about the growth of the churches in Australia: How many, how big, rate of growth etc. You just celebrated 50 years in Christ, how have you managed to keep your love growing? You are a couple that is making a difference, what drives you? What was it like raising a family on the mission field? What advice would you give a person, man or woman, who wants to make a difference and live "no regrets" life? What would you tell a younger man or woman who has leadership ambitions? Do you have any regrets, anything you wish you could do over or differently? You returned to Australia at the age most people retire, why? Facing a situation of little or declining growth, what was your plan, how did you execute it? What does "High Faith & High Expectations" mean? If someone is in a situation that has been stagnant or plateaued for a while, what advice would you give them? What is transferable from your situation? Tell me about a time when you came back from a setback or failure. What advice would you give to people who are dealing with failure or discouragement? Who else do you know that is really standing out and growing? Multiplying disciples, leaders and churches? What advice would you give me to plant ten churches in the next ten years? Tell me about something that keeps your spiritual fire and ambition burning brightly. /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/36460775

329. The Best of RSP: Pat Gempel, Pioneer of Women's Ministry 06/09/2025

328. Jose Luis and Rosario Palacios: He Planted a Church as an Ex-Pat and Converted his Future Wife. 06/02/2025

327. Natalie Do. Immigrant from Hong Kong, Missionary to Asia and Vice President of a Bank. 05/26/2025

326. Tom Nuelle, Madison Wisconsin. Using Social Media in a Small Church. 05/19/2025

325. Dima and Marina Dudnik, Sofia, Bulgaria. Doing Something Beautiful For Jesus in Eastern Europe. 05/12/2025

324. Felix and Rita Raju, Chennai, India. Missionaries and HOPE Workers to Kolkata, India 05/05/2025

323. Joel Peed Talks About His Book: "A Sabbatical Map." 04/28/2025

322. Dennis and Patricia Keating. Facing Death with Faith and a Smile. 04/21/2025

321. Bitcoin Breakdown with Matt Flores 04/14/2025

320. Church Growth in Spokane, Washington. Interview with Chris Schwartzenberger. 04/10/2025

319. Inna Koieva, Sofia, Bulgaria. Missionary to Eastern Europe 03/18/2025

318. Revive Mission Team "Greek Week" Day Three Update: Phillipi 03/07/2025

317. Revive Team "Greek Week" Day One and Two Update 03/05/2025

316. Doctor Alberto Denis, Medical Missionary Following in the Footsteps of Dr. Albert Schweizer 02/24/2025

315. Mari Sawamura: Instagram Influencer for Christ 02/03/2025

314. Doing God's Will 01/27/2025

314. Doing God's Will How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast. If you would like to help support my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches, click here: Doing God’s Will 1. Jesus came to do God’s will: Hebrews 10:5-10 5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; 6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. 7 Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, my God.’” 8 First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. 9 Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Jesus changed eternity by his willingness and surrender to God’s will. God’s will for him was to suffer and die for each one of us. Jesus embraced that will, no matter how difficult it was for him and changed our lives. We are called to imitate him and to seek and pursue God’s will for our lives. That’s not easy and yet it’s the most exciting thing we can do with our lives. We know that God wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. If you repented and got baptized, you submitted to God’s will for your life. However, there is so much more to look forward to. 2. God has a purpose for your life: Ephesians 2:8-10 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. None of us is saved by our good works. However, we’ve been created and called by God to do good works once we’ve been born again. God has prepared good works for you to do in advance. It’s already in the mind of God the good you can and will do. You were called into the kingdom to do God’s will and to do some amazing things. You just have to continue to follow and discover the good works God has planned for you. God had some surprises for me: Saving people Overseas missionary work Church plantings 3. Be a person after God’s own heart: Acts 13:22 22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’ David and Saul are contrasted in this passage. Saul was a natural leader. He was tall, handsome and courageous. He built and developed the nation of Israel. However, he got removed from his position. Why? God had a will for him, a mission to accomplish and Saul said no. He didn’t actually say no, he just didn’t do everything God wanted him to do. God had called him to destroy the Amalekites. Saul partially obeyed. He wasn’t willing to do everything God had called him explicitly to do. David, on the other hand, is commended by God as “a man after my own heart.” Why? He was willing to do everything God wanted him to do. Was he perfect? No. However, there was something that was submissive to God’s will. When he sinned in the affair with Bathsheba, he fasted and prayed for 7 days and returned to God in repentance. I think each one of us wants to be known as a person who is after God’s own heart. You want God to commend you as a man or woman after his own heart. What does that look like? How do you define it? It starts with a willingness to do everything God wants you to do. It’s so tempting to pick and choose and simply do the part of God’s will that is appealing to us. That’s where we are often so different than Jesus. 4. Ask to do God’s will and not your own: Matthew 26:39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Jesus didn’t want to go to the cross even though his whole life and ministry were directed toward the cross. When he got there, he faltered, he shook, he cried, he sweated blood, he was in emotional agony. He honestly told the father to give him a back door, an exit strategy, but finally he said, not as I will, but as you will. Jesus is the perfect example of a person who fulfilled God’s will and reaped the fruit of perfect obedience. All nations will say, Jesus is Lord and acknowledge him. There is power in submitting to God’s will. 5. How do you know when you are doing God’s will? God is calling us to do his will. We have a choice in this life to live small or live big. Doing God’s will is choosing to live big, to live dangerously, to fulfill the intention of God and his creation of us. When you start doing God’s will and asking to fulfill it, you’ll experience: Fear Emotional turmoil A desire to find an exit strategy When you resist doing God’s will you will experience: Depression Boredom Lack of meaning Unease Confusion Restlessness Why? Because God’s Spirit is gently calling you to the good works you were created for and you are resisting. You weren’t meant to live small, you were meant to do God’s will, even though that is scary. I recently read a book that said each morning we are confronted by two gremlins sitting at the foot of our bed when we wake up. Those gremlins are fear and lethargy. We fear taking risks to do God’s will and we have to overcome our lethargy that says stay in bed and do God’s will tomorrow. Monday, I woke up and thought I don’t want to get up and go to a service activity. I wrestled back and forth. That gremlin of lethargy and laziness was saying, “don’t do it Rob!” I finally forced myself out of the house and had a great time serving with other disciples. The battle is real. How do you fight the gremlins of fear and lethargy? You need to ask God for faith and love. Faith overcomes fear and love beats out laziness. “Whoever loves much does much” Thomas A’kempis said. 6. Understanding the difference between your career and your calling: Acts 18:3-4 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. Paul had a career, a way to make money, that was tentmaking. He relied on it when he couldn’t find support from churches. However his calling or vocation was to spread the gospel. Here’s the definition of vocation: A vocation (from 'a call, summons') is an to which a person is especially drawn or for which they are suited, trained or qualified. Though now often used in non-religious contexts, the meanings of the term originated in . You have a job, a way to pay the bills and that is important. But you also have a vocation, something that God’s Spirit is calling you to. That is God’s will for your life. It may include your current job, but it’s a lot more than that. When Pam and I wanted to plant a church in my hometown, my career changed from full time ministry to Real Estate sales, but my vocation remained the same to preach the gospel and make Jesus known, to build a church of dedicated believers and try to reach my family with the gospel. What’s your calling? You have to seek it. Seek God’s Will for your life: Psalm 138:8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. Psalm 57:2 I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. Cry out to God that he gives you the courage and the strength to make the tough choices to do God’s will. To say no to: Distractions Sin Temptations Shadow missions Alternate purposes Greed These lead to a sense that you aren’t living up to the high calling that God called you for originally. Say yes to the challenges and risks associated with doing God’s will. It’s scary. Becoming a Christian Going into the ministry Moving to Japan Planting a church bi-vocationally Moving to Tucson Doing missionary work in the future Let’s pray to do God’s will. Reflection Questions: What do you sense God is calling you to do? What is God urging you to do? What is keeping you from it? /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/35017565

313. Mark and Annie McCune Interview 01/20/2025

312. How to Make 2025 Great 12/31/2024

312. How to Make 2025 Great How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast. If you would like to help support my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches, click here: Transcript for "How to make 2025 great" New Years is a great time to remember time is passing, another year is gone. We are getting closer to seeing God every year. 11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Romans 13:11-14 · Paul says our salvation is nearer now · We should be “clothing ourselves with Christ.” Living as Jesus did. Representing him to our friends and family. · We need to use this time to review, repent and resolve to become the people God has called us to be. 1. Review: 5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5 a. Examine yourself, test yourself. This is a great time to do it right now. b. List out all the good you did this year i. What did you do well this year? What are you proud of? c. List out all the bad actions i. Bad actions ii. Lack of good actions d. How’d you do? e. How do you feel? i. You will know the areas you need to focus on. f. The goal is growth and peace of mind 2. Repent: a. 3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6 b. Get your eyes on Jesus. What is Jesus like? What does he stand for? c. Who are you? What’s your identity? What do you stand for? d. Obedience to Jesus is how we express our love for him. We are called to live like Jesus. i. His purity of thought ii. His purpose for living iii. His humility to serve other people daily e. Repentance is when we get our mind right and stop conforming to this world and our bad habits and instead conform ourselves to our identity as followers of Christ and sons of God. 3. Resolve a. Definition: “decide firmly on a course of action” or “firm determination to do something.” b. Examples from the Bible i. Jehoshaphat: 2 Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom,[] from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). 3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 2 Chronicles 20:2-4 1. He decided firmly to fast and it brought about a miraculous victory. ii. Daniel: But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Daniel 1:8 1. He chose to diet and not eat or drink certain foods. iii. Malachi: 14 “Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the Lord Almighty, “and my name is to be feared among the nations. “And now, you priests, this warning is for you. 2 If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name,” says the Lord Almighty, “I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me. Malachi 1:14, 2:1-2 1. The sin was giving God second best, leftovers, “tipping, not tithing to God.” c. If you want to make 2025 great, you have to decide to take action, you have to decide firmly that things will be different this year. You have to resolve to honor God. d. What one thing would make the difference in how you feel about your relationship with God? e. What one thing would make the biggest difference in how you feel about yourself? f. What one thing would make the biggest difference in saving people and rescuing people? g. What one thing would make the biggest difference in serving people around you and around the world? Next Steps: · Review · Repent · Resolve: I resolve to __________________ in 2025. /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/34656905

311. Murvi Babalola: Multi-Talented Boston Minister, Worship Leader and Online Outreach Pioneer 12/30/2024

310. Valdur Koha: Hi-Tech Millionaire Makes Mid-Life Transormation into Missionary Mover and Mobilizer 12/23/2024

309. Pornography and Sexual Addiction: How to Beat It. Interview with Jeff Hernandez. Best of the RSP Originally published as Episode 150. 12/16/2024

308. Glenn Petruzzi, How to Win the World for Christ. 12/09/2024

The Rob Skinner Podcast: Helping You Make This Life Count

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