Chris Grainger: 1:38

Welcome to the Lion Within Us, a podcast serving Christian men who are hungry to be the leaders God intends you to be.

Chris Grainger: 1:43

I'm your host, chris Granger. Let's jump in. All right, fellas, it's spiritual kickoff time. I'm excited to be with you today, so let's get right into it.

Chris Grainger: 1:50

Okay, scripture of the week this week is Romans 15, verse 4. It says For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us so that, through endurance taught in the scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope. Beautiful verse. Guys Obviously love the book of Romans. So first of all, we need to understand where is Romans? Okay, so that's in your New Testament. Go past Matthew, mark, luke and John, your Gospels, then pass Acts. Then you get to the book of Romans. Okay, so that's in your New Testament. Go past Matthew, mark, luke and John, your Gospels, then pass Acts. Then you get to the book of Romans.

Chris Grainger: 2:24

And the whole idea of the spiritual kickoff episodes, fellas, is to try to take a little verse like this every week. And how do we apply it to our life? You know that application is where the rubber meets the road. I love doing this. I feel like this is something that the Lord has really just made abundantly clear to me this is an area that is a gift and that I'm trying to use that to encourage others. And we also do this every day in our Lion Within Us community. In fact, I just finished studying for a SKO. That we're going to do, that we're going to do inside our Lion Within us later today, and just super excited for that. And if you enjoy these, I just encourage you to head over to thelinewithinus and check it out. Okay?

Chris Grainger: 3:09

So this whole idea of this week, we're going to be looking at three questions primarily okay, and these are questions that I use Full disclosure. Pastor Joby shared these with me. So the first question we'll think about consider. So the first question we'll think about today is the importance of asking the question. So what? Because it's so easy when we open up our Bible I have my Bible right here to think that reading it is just a task list, like we're just checking boxes. Right, we do it because we know it's important, but how often do we pause and just think? So what is this here for? Have we considered the depth and the impact of what God's Word is trying to tell us? Depth and the impact of what God's Word is trying to tell us and if you look at Romans 15.4, it's reminding us that Scripture is not just a history lesson. You know we're not just looking back. It's a tool for teaching, for helping us endure and for encouragement. But we have to move beyond just what happened, right? This is why we have to wrestle with this. I talk to guys all the time but you know you got to wrestle with the scriptures and think about why it matters to our lives today.

Chris Grainger: 4:30

Just for, as for an idea, something to consider, so far as looking back, like every month, my wife and I, we do a budget review and we just do it every month. That's just part of our process and we sit down and we look back and we look at our finances. We will understand, you know where our money went, how we spent our money, what we're good stewards. But it starts with identifying the first step of what happened. You know, I have to go through and we use a budgeting app and stuff like that and I go back and I look where expenses are and I try to uncover any surprises, things we didn't think about or plan for. But if we, if I just did that data, you know pulling that data and I stop there. I'd be missing the most important part, which is the analysis. That's where we, that's where we say you know what, OK, where do we overspend, you know what cost this cost and where do we need to adjust some habits moving forward. We overspend, you know what cost does it cost and where do we need to adjust some habits moving forward. So if we skip that, then we would repeat the same mistakes over and over and over because we didn't learn from them, and the same principles with reading the scripture.

Chris Grainger: 5:30

Think about it If you only read the words but never stop to ask, so what? Then? You miss out on the deeper transformation that God intends for us while reading his word. That challenges us really, guys, to a word. I really thought about a lot. No-transcript, because this step is the hardest part Okay, I mean the budget for the budget meeting, for sure is the hardest part and for Bible study, because reflection takes intentionality, you know, and it's sometimes I'm just gonna be straight up it's just easier to move on and do the next thing.

Chris Grainger: 6:07

And I'll be the first to admit there've been times when I read my Bible. Just to say that I read my Bible. I'm not going deep. I'm just checking a box. It makes you wonder why, why even do that? Well, because if we think about it, deep reflection takes work and it's hard to slow down. I know it is for me to really think about what God is saying, but if I have found that when I do that and I start asking so what that's? When he shows stuff to me, for instance, when I teach Sunday school every week, I wrestle through this, I go through them I'm like, okay, I read it about three or four times, sometimes even more than that. All right, god, what do you want me to see? Show me the nuance that I haven't considered before.

Chris Grainger: 6:55

And Romans 15, 4, right here, is just telling us that each scripture was written to teach us, okay, to encourage us, to give us endurance. But it only happens if we let the word shape us, you know, and provide that conviction and guidance. So that takes that means we have to take ownership, to dig deeper, to reflect and stop thinking about Scripture just some passive story and look for it. This is, this is. This is an active tool for transformation, because it's going to change how we think fellas, let's just be real. It's going to change how we respond at work and how we respond to our kids and our wife, and it's going to equip us to lead. Like, if you want to be an effective leader, you got to start thinking through, okay, what is this trying to show me? And it's going to help you bridge the gap between really what this is all about, bridging the gap between reading the Bible and applying it, living it out.

Chris Grainger: 7:55

So, the next time you read your Bible you know we're going to, in our Wednesday episode for our meet this week, fellas, we'll go through these few questions, we'll kind of give you an action plan, but thinking about, you know what happened, getting that fundamental understanding. So what? Why does this even matter? We've already talked about this a little bit today. And then, how? Now? What? Now? What are you going to do to apply it? Cause, if you lean into this process, I'm telling you you're going to grow your faith and it's going to and it's going to really just help you grow and accelerate in areas that you will be able to encourage and lead others. So, as you, as we leave, we'll kind of wrap this part of this SKU up today. Just think about that. So what? Think about that when you read your Bible, because that's when transformation can start. And hopefully I'd love to know from you how does Scripture give you hope in the tough seasons of life? I mean, for me it's my go-to. There can't be a day where I'm not having some time in the Word. I hope that is for you as well. Also, I don't want to miss it.

Chris Grainger: 9:06

All starts when you read the Bible, and you're just reading the Bible and you're not a believer. It's just words on a page. It's really it. It's just words on a page. It's really, it's words on a page. That's the number one selling book of all time every year Bestseller.

Chris Grainger: 9:22

But when you read the Bible as a believer, we have a unique advantage. That unique advantage is the Holy Spirit. That's why, as believers, have you ever had these moments in life where you could read the same scripture 10 times? That 11th time you read it, you completely see it in a new light. New light, new context, something, something is revealed to you. You know that's spirit driven, I found.

Chris Grainger: 9:55

The more and more I teach, the more and more this regularly happens. Therefore, I'm not surprised about it anymore, but it had to. It really starts with inviting God. You know what, lord, I'm opening your word. I need your guidance and direction. Please show me what you have me to say here. Show me the words, the ways that I can encourage others through your word.

Chris Grainger: 10:17

Today I'm telling you, when you start doing stuff like that man, it really changes. But it only happens when you have that relationship with Christ. Maybe you're listening and you don't have that relationship with Christ. You know you're not a believer and you're just listening to the line within us. Because you know leadership's important. You want to lead.

Chris Grainger: 10:35

You're a little curious about this Christianity thing. You're just not too sure. Look, I just want you to know God loves you. God absolutely loves you. That was his perfect design when he created everything and he loves you so much that he created us in his image. It tells us in the Bible that he formed Adam with his hands and then he breathed the breath of life, the ruah, into Adam's nostrils. And then, when Adam, the first man, sat up, he was face to face with God, like made in his image. How awesome is that he loves us so much.

Chris Grainger: 11:07

Unfortunately, sin entered, you know, very early into open your Bible. About two or three pages in You'll find sin. We had the fall and that's what happened. That created a separation Adam and Eve. They ran from God, they were put out the garden and now that's created a gap between a holy and righteous God and us. And we try to fill that gap. We try to do things to cover that gap on our own and we fill it with different types of good deeds and good works and all these things are okay, but none of them earn your salvation, because at some point your time is going to be up here on earth. And then what happens If it just lights out and you're worm food? Okay, that's what you believe.

Chris Grainger: 11:52

I believe there's something more. We're spiritual beings. So, to close that gap, if there's nothing that we can do and there's nothing our family can do for us or anything like that, it's outside of the realm of our control what do you need? You don't need a coach in that moment, because that's not going to help you. You need someone to step in and do for you what you can't do for yourself.

Chris Grainger: 12:16

You need a Savior, and that is where the crucible, everything around Christianity hinges on Christ, on Jesus, who left heaven on a rescue mission for you, for me, for the entire world, and he came down here and he was born of a virgin. He fulfilled all the prophecies. He did all the teachings and the miracles and the signs and the healings Jesus taught us, he showed us, and then he went to the cross and paid the penalty for our sin. But he shouldn't have done it, but he did it anyway. He didn't deserve to go on that cross Are you kidding me? Every one of us does but he was the perfect, sinless Lamb of God and he died and he paid the penalty that we can't pay for ourselves.

Chris Grainger: 13:04

And the crazy part is is that he didn't stay dead. There's been lots of guys who just died really good deaths, you know, for virtue and for character and just for all these noble, righteous means. But Jesus overcame death. See, he defeated death and he rose, and we, as believers, trust in that and we believe in him because he is the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through him. There is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. We believe that to be true and that's where he's at right now. So that leads us to a point of decision-making as men.

Chris Grainger: 13:50

Okay, are we going to put our trust and our hope in the things that we can control of this world, and some of you guys are absolutely crushing it. Right, you got more money in a month, you never have to worry about it, you're married, you're happy kids, but there's something missing, and you know it. So the ultimate choice is are we going to put our trust in us or are we going to put our trust in Him? And that means we have to humble ourselves now and we need to recognize that we need something and we need Jesus. We absolutely need Jesus, and I implore you, I'm begging you, I'm asking you to. If you've never accepted Christ as your living Savior and confessed Him in your heart, don't let another day go by. There's nothing that says you can't accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior outside of a church building. You can get saved anywhere.

Chris Grainger: 14:42

So maybe just listen to a podcast. Riding down the road right now and you're in your vehicle and you know the Lord is speaking to you, and at some point, you know the Lord is speaking to you and at some point, you know you have to stop fighting it and that you can't do this anymore. Your way is just not working and you're ready to surrender and do it His way. And if that's where you're at right now, let's just pray together and accept Christ into your life. So, father, just thank you for today. We love you, we, right now, let's just pray together and accept Christ into your life. So, father, just thank you for today. We love you, we praise you. I'm praying for that one listener right now, lord, who they know they need you, they know that something's not right, they know something's been missing and now they finally recognize that it's you. So, lord, as they confess you as Lord and Savior, right now I just pray you, just flood them with emotions, just flood them with peace, with encouragement, with hope, and let them know that they are a son or daughter of the King and that you love them so much. We praise you in Jesus' name. Amen. All right, all right now.

Chris Grainger: 15:47

So look, if you just accepted Christ, hallelujahelujah, praise the lord I want to hear from you. Send me an email to chris at the line withinus. I'd love to send you a bunch of free resources that we've, that we've created. That would really help you get started on your discipleship journey. So you know, it's it's all just stuff that I just think it would encourage you along the way, also just want to give you a high five just to say I'm so proud of you, I'm so happy for you and I'll be praying for you, okay, so look, come on back always and we're going to have a good episode. I'm going to unpack these three questions a little bit deeper.

Chris Grainger: 16:21

For us, and again, thelionwithinus is where you can connect with us Primarily, we really connect with lots of guys on the masterminds. We do have our community. We have lots of ways we serve. We have our Bible reading plans. We have our Christian leader assessment. All those things are actually free, so go check that stuff out, fellas, but would love for you to consider supporting the show, supporting what we're doing. Really just want to see you just jump in and be part of the lion within us, because that's what it's all about. We also have live events that are going on all the time. So check out our events tab. Check to see what, where we're at, what we have, uh, happening and moving, and if there's anything I can support or encourage you with, please reach out. Okay, so that's what we're here for. We're here to serve, we're here to help you be the leader that god intends you to be. All right, so have a great day, guys, get after it and just keep unleashing the light within. We're making a big change that I think you're really going to enjoy.

Chris Grainger: 17:20

I spent a lot of time thinking about our spiritual kickoffs and, honestly, I love doing them each week so much so we started doing them live every Monday through Friday inside our exclusive platform, and here's the best part We've decided to give full access, completely free, so now you can join our daily spiritual kickoff space at no cost. Every day, we go live to read the word, to encourage each other and find simple and powerful ways to apply God's truth to our lives. You'll even have the chance to engage with me directly, and if you missed a live stream, don't worry. The videos are posted the same day so you can catch up whenever it works for you. This is exclusive behind the scenes content that is not available anywhere else, and now we've removed every excuse. So if you're ready to get started, head over to the lion withinus and grab your free access today. Let's grow together.