There is no shame in not knowing what to do. It takes humility to acknowledge our limitations. Jesus teaches that we can learn to listen to God's guidance. Listening to the right voice takes a little practice, like all new skills. Text Mark 9 Pod 209
When you are tired, and your patience is thin, Jesus has some practical advice. Stop trying to meet every need. You might not be able to leave physically, but neither are you obligated to meet every need of those around you. Jesus didn't. The text is Mark 1.
The Scripture teaches that it's not of primary importance who is right or wrong in any conflict or disagreement. In other words, you could be correct in any dispute, but if that's all that matters to you, you are missing out on the freedom of "the need to be right." 1 Corinthians 8 Pod 207
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If you want to run away, ask yourself why. What motives you to want to run away? Sometimes, the things we try to avoid are areas where we can experience newfound freedom. Avoidance has a way of catching up on us. Lessons from Jonah Pod 206
If you are usually a good sleeper and something changes, you are probably worried or stressed about something. Waking up at night can be reframed as a potential opportunity to receive God's guidance. Today, we will hear about God's creative and unusual ways to get our attention. 1 Samuel 13 Pod 205
Not feeling loved or feeling like we don’t deserve love is a wound in need of healing. "You are my beloved," God says. The challenge is receiving this love when we don't feel loved or deserving of love. This is the big learning curve. Text Mark 1. Pod 204
It’s common to go through seasons when we feel out of control. Most of us try to resist feeling vulnerable at all costs. Jesus addresses this dilemma in today’s teaching. Text Matthew 11 Cousin John’s Dark Night of the Soul. Pod 203
Finding Your Own North Star When you are entirely convinced of your life's direction, you don't need the affirmation, understanding, nor approval of others. Matthew 1. Pod 202 Lesson from the Christmas story, Joseph.
We all find ways of coping with the challenges and stresses of life. Jesus teaches that not all of the ways we cope with anxiety, fear, and grief are helpful. He teaches we must learn how to "guard our hearts." Luke 21. Pod 201
A life playing it safe isn't a life, Jesus taught. There is too much to lose by simply not trying. We may be hesitant because we might fail or be misunderstood, and our ideas may not work, but that's no excuse for not moving ahead. After all, isn't that what trust is all about? The Parable of the Talents. Matthew 25. Podcast 200
When you think about it, life is one extensive, multilayered healing opportunity. Recognizing our need for help and healing is what it means to be human. The text is Luke 17. The Ten Lepers Pod 199
Is it possible to live without regret? In today's parable, Jesus reminds us that avoiding, ignoring, or procrastinating things we need to say or do ultimately diminishes us and holds us back. The text is Matthew 21—the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids. Pod198
Mourning is the way to go, Jesus teaches. Don't deny it, shy away from it, stuff it, medicate it, grieve! Grief has many faces: unwelcome changes, a relationship ends, a loved one dies, we can lose a sense of purpose or sense we have no place in this world. The suffering of others around the world can take its toll. Today, Jesus teaches about the necessity of learning how to grieve well. Matthew 5 Blessed are those who mourn.
Far too many of us carry heavy baggage from years of mistakes, guilt, failure, hurt, pain, and bad choices. Jesus addresses this in our teaching today. It's time to learn how to unpack all the worthless weight we have been packing and learn how to live free. Text John 8 Pod 196
Inner tension isn’t necessarily a sign your doing something wrong. Jesus teaches that living in this world will cause us tension. It will feel like a pull to go in the very direction you try to avoid. This hidden, unseen inner battle is a part of living in this world. It's not something we can escape from, and it shows us our loyalty is to something more than what we can see here on this earth. Pod 195 Matthew 22
Don't make excuses for yourselves, Jesus taught. Don't be too easy on yourself. If you make up stories about why you neglect the most essential things in your life, treat it as a wake-up call, and don't let yourself off the hook. Why settle for less? The Parable of the Banquet Luke 14 and Matthew 22. Pod194
Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places It can appear to others that we have everything we need, but deep down, we know we lack. We know something is missing. Jesus, in today's teaching, shows us we can become attached to the wrong things. We might think our ways of coping are harmless and only affect us, but before we know it, we have lost our freedom. We are left with a restless longing. Text Mark 10 and Matthew 19 Pod 192
An Unfulfilling Pursuit- If I Could Have… Comparing ourselves to others can create a cycle of discontent. Jesus recognizes this tendency within us and addresses the mind that likes to compare and all its false promises. Pod 191 Text Matthew 20
Let's make sure we are on the same page. God has a plan for us. If we were a house, the project would be a complete tear-down and renovation, including the foundation. God is not making a few cosmetic changes here and there. This explains why our spiritual/emotional life feels overwhelming at times. God is making radical changes in us to help us become the people we were created to be. Matthew 18 Pod 190
If we continually think about a conflict in the past, it's a sure sign that we have unfinished business to attend to. Hurts have a persistent way of reappearing, grabbing our attention and demanding we listen. In today's teaching, Jesus gives us wisdom, freeing us from past conflicts with people/events/circumstances that have hurt us. Text Matthew 18 Pod 189
Unmet expectations can cause us a lot of disappointment. Expectations are acceptable if they harmonize with God's purpose for our lives. If we are not on the same page, we end up struggling against the reality of our lives, which never goes well for us. God isn't primarily leading us into more of what we think we need. Jesus taught us that we are being positioned for inner freedom, and that's a whole different purpose in our lives. Matthew 16:21-28 Pod 188
"Who do you say I Am?" is a question everyone grapples with after hearing Jesus' teachings. Can Jesus be trusted? Like Peter, we can be ambivalent and second-guess our choices when life gets overly challenging. Following Jesus is about being led beyond our frail personalities. Matthew 16
We all have our fears, and as long as we are on this earth, fear will be known to us. Jesus' way of navigating fear is to invite us to move toward it. The answer isn't to deny fear or run from it. Jesus didn't let fear dictate his every move. He said courage is needed, but a brave step forward might be as simple as doing the next thing that needs to be done. In other words, I may be frightened out of my wits, but I will keep doing what I need to do. The text is Matthew 14, Walking on Water Pod 1...
The scripture teaches, "You are right. You often don't know what to do." The right path is not always clear, the correct response can elude us, and the most beneficial way to help someone doesn't always work. So take the pressure off because God is working on your behalf as you go through a season of uncertainty. The text is Romans 8 Podcast 184
Jesus did not teach, Do not judge; he taught, Do not judge rashly. In other words, Jesus didn't say, "Never judge," which is impossible in this world; since we make judgments daily. Jesus taught us to be cautious about decisions, wait, and not make premature judgments because there's a strong possibility we will be wrong. The text is, The Parable of the Weeds, from Matthew 13 Pod 183
It's a struggle; the apostle Paul would admit, as well as all the other followers of Jesus, down throughout the ages. I want to live one way, and my mind insists on taking me in another direction. Is there any hope for me? Absolutely, the apostle Paul teaches. Once you see the problem, you are halfway there. The text is Romans 7. Pod 181
We don't need to be taught personal preference. Our wants, desires, and perceived needs are hard-wired into us, so receiving guidance from God isn't always straightforward. We might tell ourselves we'd like some input from God, but when our plans fall apart, we are disappointed. What if our plans were meant to fall apart? Sometimes God bypasses our personal preferences to show us a better way. Text- Acts 11 Peter changes his mind. Pod 180
Our guard of self-protection is often lowered during times of great need and vulnerability. What we call "weakness" is often the doorway God uses to bring us deep healing. The healing and transformation can often come without warning and during the most unlikely circumstances. Text Acts 16 Paul's unexpected healing. Pod 179
You have plans; you think it's a great idea, yet you are blocked. You can't move forward after all your time and energy. Has it all been a waste of time? "Absolutely not," Paul, Lydia, Silas, and the early followers of Jesus would say, "it's a roadblock. God is stopping you from taking the wrong direction. So don't get downhearted." Acts 16:6-15 Pod 178
