Life has issues, and the Bible has the answers. Francie Taylor teaches the relevance of Scripture to daily life through these brief Bible application studies.
Episodes
Monday May 17, 2021
Monday May 17, 2021
"The biopsy showed a malignant tumor..."
"Your baby has doesn't have a heartbeat..."
"There's been a terrible car accident. We're sorry..."
When you hear words that signal the beginning of a fiery trial, does it make you wonder why you and why now? Why did God bring you into such a hard place? Why didn’t He keep the event from happening? If God is all-powerful, why does He allow us to suffer when He could easily stop it? Is God being unfair? Why is this happening?
While we can’t answer anything that God hasn’t answered in His Word, we can address and apply what He has given us. The truth is this: there is no simple answer for the “Why would God” questions. What would we consider to be an acceptable response? An answer that I may accept, you may reject. Instead of asking “Why would God?” we can rephrase this into a question that has answers: What can God do with my suffering?
It is a reality that life deals some hard blows, and our reactions are human. God knows us and understands that we don’t want to suffer, but He also promised that He would be with us through our valleys. Life never has just one valley. The journey has several, but we don’t have to go through the incredibly dark times alone. Let's consider a starter list of four things that God can do in and through our suffering.
ICU--In Christ Unconditionally New Testament Case Studies
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Monday May 10, 2021
Monday May 10, 2021
Without realizing it, we are often following our hearts instead of following God. We have a tendency to number sin on a scale of one to ten rather than being honest about the fact that we’re doing our own thing while pretending to be godly.
“Follow your heart” has become the repetitive motto that sounds so noble, but it is misguided. What does this saying really mean? It’s not telling us to pay attention to the beating muscle in our chest. It’s a “go with the gut” mentality that allows our minds to guide us apart from the mind of Christ. “Follow your heart” actually sounds like a training camp slogan for a painful life.
God never intended for our hearts to be our guides. He is our guide, but when we ignore God’s leading and go with our heart’s desires, we end up in situations that cause anxiety and even despair. This episode shares a list of four reasons why we should not follow our hearts.
ICU--In Christ Unconditionally: Heart Conditions Bible Application Study
Monday May 03, 2021
Monday May 03, 2021
Have you ever lost your composure, your temper, or any other form of emotional control over failed plans? Or have you ever gone home crying from an event that was supposed to be happy, because something didn't go the way you had expected? Do you turn simple situations into big hairy stressful ones? You may be a Drama Mama.
Drama is mainly a distraction designed to keep our focus on trivial matters. These distractions can keep us from becoming all that God wants us to be. When we’re engaged in drama, we’re not gracious or godly women. Drama turns us into bad actors.
This episode exposes some characteristics of the Drama Mama, but not for the sake of analyzing others. The goal of this lesson is to look for anything in our own hearts and lives that needs changing. We don't have to live from one drama to the next. By allowing God to “transform us,” we become more like Christ and His Holy Spirit inspires us to imitate Him.
Tuesday Apr 27, 2021
Tuesday Apr 27, 2021
"Honey, are you sitting down?" When my husband said those words by phone, I wasn't expecting good news to follow.
Receiving a difficult diagnosis happens every day, but it doesn’t strike us to the core until it’s happening to us. There is no perfect way to respond to a frightening diagnosis, but this segment shares information that may be helpful to you. Just remember this: Everyone’s situation is different, so you're about to listen to a very short list of things to consider, not hard and fast guidelines and certainly not medical advice.
Dealing with a difficult medical diagnosis means that your life will look different now. For those on the caregiving side, you will need support and assistance, so let people help you. For those who are patients with changed lives, rest in the reality that you are ultimately God’s and He is yours. God will walk with you and comfort you in your affliction.
If you are wondering what happens to a soul when it leaves the body, the link below provides answers about eternity in an abbreviated message, courtesy of First Baptist Church in Rosemount, Minnesota:
Monday Apr 19, 2021
Monday Apr 19, 2021
"You should get your eyebrows done." When someone said that to me after a conference, it made me wonder if that was her only takeaway from a weekend of Bible application lessons...and it also sent me in search of a mirror. If someone makes a questionable comment about your physical appearance, do keep replaying the comment in your mind? Image issues can cause us to get stuck like that.
Who told women that they need "perfect eyebrows"? Clever marketing companies continue to create imaginary shortcomings, and then of course they’ll sell us the solutions. "Cover that gray hair. We'll sell you the dye every six weeks. Here's the face cream for those no-no-gotta-go wrinkles. Get a flat stomach with buns of steel by using our exercise program, and we’ll throw in a digital home scale that syncs to your cellphone and keeps you obsessed with your weight."
God has much more purpose for us than just competing to look the best until death. Image issues are common, but we're not stuck with them. This episode offers practical tips for finding freedom from image issues.
Wednesday Apr 14, 2021
Wednesday Apr 14, 2021
“Mom and Dad, I need to talk to you.” This is a generic version of the statement parents may hear before an adult child shares news that feels like a bomb dropped. Sometimes you see warning signs. Other times, you’re broadsided and wondering what just happened. The grief and heartache that often follows is a normal response to loss. It’s normal but not permanent. It’s never a good idea to stay stuck in a negative thought loop about our own children. God can show us how to walk this out.
This is another Bonus Episode in our podcast lineup. Since most of the episodes will be for a general audience of women across many stages, occasionally we will do a breakout session to address a specific issue. The topic of facing hardships with adult children is one that comes up repeatedly in email requests. We hope that this capsulized episode will give you some points to ponder.
ICU--In Christ Unconditionally: Heart Conditions Bible Application Study
Monday Apr 12, 2021
Monday Apr 12, 2021
Are your friendships high maintenance? Is someone upset with you because of a small thing and you’re stressed out about it? Do you wonder sometimes about the people you’ve allowed into your close inner circle? When our friendships become thorny burdens, we need to give those friendships a checkup. Something is unhealthy somewhere. This episode covers five ideas for building consistent friendships.
Monday Apr 05, 2021
Monday Apr 05, 2021
Imagine having a friend who would steal money from you, share your private information with people who hated you, and take a bribe to have you killed. Jesus had a friend like that, and his name was Judas. It’s really easy to paint Judas as the ultimate villain, but are we anything like Judas?
It’s so much easier to point out the faults of others than it is to recognize the flaws in ourselves. Judas had certain traits that are common to those who are disregarding God. This episode takes a brief look at three things about Judas that can double as a personal examination.
ICU--In Christ Unconditionally: Heart Conditions Bible Application Study
Monday Mar 29, 2021
Monday Mar 29, 2021
Have you ever offended someone without realizing it? What’s your response to a situation like that? Do you apologize once you're made aware of the situation, or do you get defensive and blame the offended person for being "thin-skinned"? Your response can make a difference or it could make a bigger mess.
Relationships are gifts, but we tend to appreciate people the most when they’re gone. It doesn’t have to be like that. We can cherish and treasure our relationships now. This episode covers four helpful behaviors for building better relationships.
Thanks for leaving those five-star ratings and incredibly encouraging reviews on Apple, and for following Keep the Heart here on Podbean!
Monday Mar 22, 2021
Monday Mar 22, 2021
Are we doomed to be insecure until we’re too old to remember how to spell the word? No. Insecurity is not a life sentence. It's an opportunity to examine ourselves for faulty thinking, allowing us to replace the false with the truth. Insecurity is really just a lack of self-confidence paired with an overdose of self-doubt, which is not entirely bad. We need more confidence, but in God and not in self. God-confidence is rooted and grounded in how He sees us rather than how we view ourselves.
Whether it’s pretending to be humble or trying to be the center of attention, pride is the driver of insecurity.
Are we doomed to be insecure until we’re too old to remember how to spell the word? No. Insecurity is not a life sentence. It's an opportunity to examine ourselves for faulty thinking, allowing us to replace the false with the truth. Insecurity is really just a lack of self-confidence paired with an overdose of self-doubt, which is not entirely bad. We need more confidence, but in God and not in self. God-confidence is rooted and grounded in how He sees us rather than how we view ourselves.
Insecurity often causes us to say and do things to elevate self, but no matter what we do, it's never enough. Whether it’s pretending to be humble or endlessly seeking attention, pride is the driver of insecurity. This episode covers five practices that we can apply to begin the process of overcoming insecurity. Share this podcast with family and friends!
ICU--In Christ Unconditionally: Heart Conditions Bible Application Study
Monday Mar 15, 2021
Monday Mar 15, 2021
What does it take for you to jump to the irritated default mode? Getting stuck in traffic when you’re already running late? New policy changes at work? A last-minute change in plans that you don’t like? Even those who are usually very tranquil have things that can push them beyond their emotionally calm boundaries.
Life can be stressful and pressures may pile up, but we don’t have to live with the heat turned on high all the time. There can be calm inserted into the daily pressures, because not all pressures are big deals. This episode covers three encouraging practices that we can begin applying right away. High-strung is not a life sentence; it's a changeable habit.
Wednesday Mar 10, 2021
Wednesday Mar 10, 2021
BONUS EPISODE: It's great to have a wonderful marriage, but married life is not wonderful all day, every day. In fact, many have experienced some rough waters along the way. Married people have to work hard at learning how to love and care for one another as God designed it. In this bonus episode, I'm sharing some of the mistakes I made as a newlywed. People may learn from success, but failure is educational, too. Grab a beverage and settle into a comfy chair for this "NOT TO DO" list.
1 John 3:18 reminds us how to love: "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." Married life is a vapor.
Most episodes on Keep the Heart will cover the "issues of life" affecting a general audience, but occasionally we'll do a bonus episode that is more like a breakout session. This one is for wives or soon-to-be wives.
Monday Mar 08, 2021
Monday Mar 08, 2021
The scene is familiar. Someone you love is living in a way that is unstable, so you attempt to correct them with instructions that seem logical to you. The conversation ends in painful frustration. What went wrong?
You tried to reprove a scorner.
The biblical guideline for reproving a scorner can be summed up in a word: Don’t. There’s drama ahead if we try to instruct someone who lives by the motto, “Don’t tell me what to do.”
Francie walks through key verses about dealing with a scorner from a loving and biblical perspective. If you have someone in your life who is actively choosing to walk contrary to Scripture, this episode will help you to handle matters wisely rather than making things worse. The deeper the problems, the greater the miracles.
Abbreviated in the blog--"Don't Tell Me What to Do"
Monday Mar 01, 2021
Monday Mar 01, 2021
Have you ever told yourself that you couldn’t eat a certain food for a time, and then you’d go and eat more of it than ever? Or have you ever tried to hold back from losing your temper and then you let loose and exploded like a cannon? Or maybe you’ve experienced the runaway tongue that blurted out something that should have been edited before it was spoken? These examples are all related to a lack of self-control, also known in the Bible as temperance.
Self-control is unnatural, but it can be gained through training. God wants us to have this fruit of the Spirit, and so He trains us through exercises that he allows into our lives. This episode covers some exercises we can practice to cultivate the fruit of temperance.
Many thanks for all the star ratings and encouraging reviews that dozens of you have left on Apple podcasts!
ICU: In Christ Unconditionally--Heart Conditions Bible Study
Saturday Feb 27, 2021
Saturday Feb 27, 2021
Proverbs 27 Off-Script is a Bible application study of seven verses from Proverbs 27, beginning with the reminder that we never know "what a day may bring forth." The verses covered in this study are as follows: Proverbs 27:1, 4, 5-6, 9, 10, and 17.
The Off-Script episodes are like sitting in the dining room at Francie's house with a slice of homemade pumpkin bread, a smooth cup of coffee, and the Bible. This episode also provides an example of the practical applications found in the book of Proverbs.
Improve your daily Bible study habit: Ponder the Path 31-Day Devotional
ICU: In Christ Unconditionally--Heart Conditions Bible Study
(Off-script episodes do not have lesson notes.)
Monday Feb 22, 2021
Monday Feb 22, 2021
Have you ever had question run through your mind: “Why didn’t God answer my prayer? It’s not uncommon to think like this, but underneath this question is another question: Did God fail to answer your prayer, or did He answer it differently than you requested it?
We may be praying more than ever, but are we praying with a right spirit? A spirit of fear is not from God. He is never rattled and nothing surprises Him. How can we shift our thinking from fearful to trusting?
This episode covers five ways that we can clear up our thinking about prayer, and improve our prayer lives in the process.
Lesson notes coming soon!
Friday Feb 19, 2021
Friday Feb 19, 2021
BONUS EPISODE: There’s a quote that says this: “Unsolicited advice is the junk mail of life.” That’s why this episode has the title, “A Young Mom Asked for Advice.” A young mom wrote to us with two motherhood questions. Since she asked, we are providing solicited advice!
Most episodes on Keep the Heart will cover the "issues of life" affecting a general audience, but occasionally we'll do a bonus episode that is more like a breakout session. Invite your mom friends to listen.
A Young Mom Asked-Lesson notes
Monday Feb 15, 2021
Monday Feb 15, 2021
Are there certain things that just set you off? We will never argue our way to happiness, and the only satisfaction in winning an argument is proving that you can be contentious to the finish line. What can we do about this human tendency to be contentious? The Bible has a lot to say about this subject, but we’ll just examine a few verses in this episode, leaving room for you to continue this important topical study on your own.
Contentious Relationships Lesson Notes
ICU: In Christ Unconditionally--Heart Conditions Bible Study
Monday Feb 08, 2021
Monday Feb 08, 2021
Have you mastered the plaster smile? It’s the one that we wear when our insides are not smiling but we don’t want to reveal our true emotions. It’s easy to hide discouragement, but it’s not a solution to pretend to be fine when we’re not. Francie shares three biblical suggestions to help listeners who are walking through difficult times.
How to Handle Discouragement Lesson Notes
Friday Feb 05, 2021
Friday Feb 05, 2021
Some of the biggest mistakes that we've made in our lives are directly related to a lack of wisdom, but God can help us to turn that around. If you're tired of spinning your wheels in the ditch, you're ready for wisdom. Grab your Bible and turn to Proverbs chapter four.
Ponder the Path 31-day Devotional
Tuesday Feb 02, 2021
Tuesday Feb 02, 2021
Have you been struggling to develop a daily Bible study habit? You’re not the first, and you are not alone. This episode shares insights and examples of the lessons God teaches us from His Word when we make Bible study an essential priority in our lives. Francie uses Proverbs 17 to provide examples of what we would learn through the Proverb-a-Day study system. Learn how you can build a Bible study habit that draws you closer to God and teaches you how to handle the issues of life wisely.
Thursday Jan 28, 2021
Thursday Jan 28, 2021
In Job 16:2, the man Job gave his well-meaning friends a title: "miserable comforters." Job's friends meant to help, but they ended up causing greater pain. We could make the same mistake simply by saying or doing the wrong thing, or the right thing at the wrong time. How can we be helpful to those who are hurting? Join us for insights and suggestions on ways to be a comfort to those who are grieving.
Read more about the story of Job in the popular Bible study series, ICU--In Christ Unconditionally, Old Testament, available on our website!
Monday Jan 25, 2021
Monday Jan 25, 2021
Coming to Christ later in life means that we’ll bring baggage that accumulated during those unsaved days. Baggage that a person who grew up in a Christian home usually does not have. The good news is you can unpack now. It doesn’t matter when you became a believer, you are still a part of the family of God. So, what are some of the things that may need unpacking? We'll take a look at a short list together.
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ICU--In Christ Unconditionally New Testament Bible Study
Saturday Jan 23, 2021
Saturday Jan 23, 2021
People are so desperate to appear popular and prosperous, they'll even spend money to fake it! God sees prosperity differently that we see it. Join Francie for this Proverbs 22:4 mini-devo on how humility and fear of the Lord are the keys to God's forms of riches, honor, and life.
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Thursday Jan 21, 2021
Thursday Jan 21, 2021
Introducing Keep the Heart with Francie Taylor, making Bible study meaningful through mini lessons on the issues of life. Join us every week for lessons designed to take you from learning to applying.
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