The PowerBreak Podcast

Program 282 – SHOW NOTES (2024 – 02)

Show date – January 16, 2024

THE Q&A FORMAT

1. OPEN with Tease

(Bob) “This is the PowerBreak Podcast, number 282 titled:

God’s Help Verses Self Help

Pause for 5 seconds

– I’m Bob Brubaker along with JT, as we hope you will stay tuned as we seek to give you a little power in this break to help you succeed in the race of life.”

2. (JT) This is the – PowerBreak Podcast – with a focus on the spiritual, the mental, and the physical aspects – all to help you succeed in the race of life. For show notes from today’s podcast go to bobbrubaker.com and follow the link for the PowerBreak podcast.

3. Welcome – Bob and JT – chit chat about life, walk with God, training, etc.

BB&JT: Plea and thank you for ratings and review & for spreading the word via social media and word of mouth…

4. SHOUT OUTS
5. DRIFTWOOD COFFEE

www.driftwoodkavacoffeecafe.com

6. TRANSITION

BB –  We are talking today about  “God’s Help Verses Self Help”

So JT What does that title bring up to your mind? ((JT ANSWERS))

7. Bob – POINT: Too often we think we are relying upon God’s help but the reality is we are seeking God to bless our “self-help” efforts, thereby turning ourselves into an idol in which we are trusting instead of living in total dependency upon God.

Hosea 4:17 (ESV) — 17 Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone.

8. JT ------ OK THEN LET’S TALK SOME MORE ABOUT THAT as we bring up… WHAT’S NEW –  as we open Bob’s recent blog from bobbrubaker.com …

“God’s Help Verses Self Help”

9. Presentation and discussion of Bob’s published article,

• Bob and JT discuss highlights of the PowerBreak blog

“God’s Help Verses Self Help”

Bob concludes with “The PowerBreak blog is found at bobbrubaker.com”             ((((:03 PAUSE))))

10. JT – What’s happening Bob? What would you like our listeners to know about this week?

11. Bob – Power In The Valley –… & Sermon link on the website.

(((:03 PAUSE)))

12. JT – This is the PowerBreak Podcast, I’m JT along with Bob Brubaker and this is the –– time for some questions and answers. Feel free to submit your questions by EMAIL TO JT@bobbrubaker.com and we’ll get to the answer on an upcoming PowerBreak. Podcast…

13. JT – Question ONE - FROM THE SPIRITUAL SIDE OF LIFE….

What is wrong with self-help strategies? Most self-help strategies point to success stories from those who have applied the methods…

14. Bob & JT discuss

Discernment is not based upon results, rather upon the word of God. The problem with self-help strategies is “self” aspect. If the strategy is all about you, then you get the glory… there may be some recognition of God but when it’s built around all self… there’s more than just a tendency for self to get inflated and take credit, even in a small way for any success.

Isaiah 42:8 (ESV) — 8 I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.

Isaiah 48:11 (ESV) — 11 For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.

Consider another way and that is the way of total dependency upon God and reliance upon His grace (His unmerited favor)… Here’s the testimony from Paul, the apostle…

1 Corinthians 15:8–10 (ESV) — 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

15. JT – Question Two… “FROM THE MENTAL ASPECT”

How can we prepare mentally to make sure we don’t fall into the trap of self-help OR the trap of “fatalism” that if God is going to make it happen, I’ll just sit back and watch?

16. Bob & JT discuss

Ditch living people --- fall into the ditch on one side where we think if it’s going to be it’s up to me…. Then flop over to the other side of the road and say, if it’s going to be, there isn’t anything I can do  so I’ll sit back and watch.

Ephesians 2:8–10 (ESV) — 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Philippians 2:12–13 (ESV) — 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

1 Corinthians 15:8–10 (ESV) — 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

17. Third question … Turning to the Physical

How do we draw the line between contentment with our state in life and the need to push forward in the physical realm?

18. Bob & JT discuss

When you talk commitment you are talking about the expression of the apostle Paul in Philippians…

Philippians 4:10–13 (ESV) — 10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Contentment has to do with the circumstances of life over which we have no control….and this is where Paul as we must learn contentment because we are learning that God is in control and we are good with however He disposes life to us.

On the other hand, complacency is not in Paul’s thinking when it came to his own spiritual growth and maturity and we would also apply to our physical growth and care…

Philippians 3:12–15 (ESV) — 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

God calls us to a life of excellence in His service. Not perfection, that belongs to Him and Him alone. Excellence is being our very best which means we apply ourselves to serving Him with all that we have. Then as His servants we apply ourselves to life giving our very best because whatever we do to do to His glory.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV) — 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Colossians 3:23 (ESV) — 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

Contentment with yourself, including your physical training has several negative ramifications:

* Stagnation - Contentment often leads to complacency. Your performance level will plateau if you don't continually challenge yourself.

* Underperformance - You will underperform in competitions since you are not pushing yourself in practice. The more you underperform, the more your confidence will sink.

* Underachievement - Not only will your competitive performance suffer, but you will fall short of your athletic potential.

Any other thoughts JT?

Bob’s final comment – It takes discipline to have a decide to rely upon God as you seek to be content with your circumstances in life while at the same time putting pressure on yourself to avoid complacency and become lazy… the result is well worth it as you push yourself in your physical goals…

Point: DISCIPLINE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE --- in all aspects of life

Closing statement Bob…. “check out today’s show notes at bobbrubaker.com and click on the PowerBreak podcast – today’s show is 282.

19. JT – Submit your questions by EMAIL to JT@bobbrubaker.com and listen for OUR answer on an upcoming PowerBreak Podcast (((:03 pause)))

20. (((commercial by Bob))) --- Power In The Valley

(((pause for music transition)))

21. (JT) Thank you for joining us for the PowerBreak Podcast. Please subscribe and leave a review where-ever you have downloaded the podcast. Check out the show notes, news, Bob’s weekly blog, and other cool things at bobbrubabaker.com and listen next time for the – “powerbreak podcast.