{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"The Myth of an Easy Life | Spiritual Formation with Brian Delamont (Ep. 206)","description":"Should I expect to have an easy life following Jesus? Being a Christian does not mean comfort or ease, as culture would define it. Brian Delamont, Executive Vice President of TeachBeyond, unpacks Scriptural truths about blessing, contentment, and abundance from a Kingdom perspective.  Deuteronomy 28 Psalm 136 Matthew 20:18-19 John 16:32-33 \u201cWhen we face difficulties, when life is not easy, the Father is with us.\u201d \u201cLife is not easy. There will be trouble. [...] However, take heart! I have overcome the world.\u201d \u201cYou don\u2019t give to get.\u201d Malachi 3:10 2 Corinthians 9:7-9 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 Genesis 2:15 \u201cBeing in God\u2019s creation and working it, taking care of what God had given, is part of God\u2019s original good plan for humanity. It\u2019s not an easy life; it\u2019s a good and meaningful life!\u201d Genesis 3:16-19, 23 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 \u201cGod knows that an easy life isn\u2019t in our best interest [...] but an abundant life is in our best interest. It\u2019s His blessing, His presence, and His Kingdom.\u201d \u201cJesus does say that we will have trouble, but He is also with us in the trouble, so that\u2019s how we can take heart - because He has overcome, He is greater, He is kinder than whatever discomfort we are facing.\u201d&amp;nbsp; Philippians 4:10-13 \u201cIt\u2019s not easy all the time, and we know it won\u2019t be, yet God is able to care for you, to bless you and to be with you, even when it\u2019s tremendously difficult.\u201d Join us for TeachBeyond\u2019s 40 Days of Prayer: https:\/\/teachbeyond.org\/40days  January Reflection: Am I longing for ease or what God really has for me? What\u2019s changing our lives:  Keane: Durham-opoly Heather: Great conversations and interviews with applicants Brian: Taking more time to breathe and reflecting on Scripture during TeachBeyond\u2019s 40 Days of Prayer  Weekly Spotlight: School Leadership Positions We\u2019d love to hear from you! podcast@teachbeyond.org Podcast Website: https:\/\/teachbeyond.org\/podcast  Learn about TeachBeyond: https:\/\/teachbeyond.org\/ ","author_name":"Transformed &amp; Transformational","author_url":"http:\/\/transformedandtransformational.libsyn.com\/website","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/39931415\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/item\/39931415"}