Why Being Afraid Doesn’t Disqualify Your Faith: How Psalm 86 Shows Us How Faith and Fear Can Work Together It is a natural human emotion to have fear. And while I certainly believe fear is not from God, we will all have to deal with fear this side of heaven. Today we are looking at the example of King David when he too was facing something difficult and the way he allowed his faith to speak louder than his fear. I pray this episode blesses you! Thoughts to Journal: Have you allowed fear to hold ...
Feb 17, 2023•29 min•Ep. 234
How are Righteousness and Peace Connected? How Psalm 85 Reveals the Key to Peace in Our Culture Have you ever thought about the connection between righteousness and peace? In Psalm 85, we learn how the two are connected and why it’s really hard to have one without the other. I pray this episode blesses you. Thoughts to Journal: How have you seen a connection between righteousness and peace in your own life? Or the opposite- the lack of peace because of a lack of righteousness? Spend some time re...
Feb 16, 2023•26 min•Ep. 233
Where is the Sacred Space in Your Life? Reflections from Psalm 84 Psalm 84 has been called the “pearl of the Psalms” because it clearly showcases how special it is to be in God’s presence. As we study the areas where God interacts with humanity, we recognize how important it is to be in God’s presence. I pray this episode blesses you. Thoughts to Journal: Where is the sacred space in your life? Do you sometimes take for granted God’s presence in your life? Take some time to thank God for His pre...
Feb 15, 2023•28 min•Ep. 232
Our Enemies are Also God’s Enemies: Reflections from Psalm 83 One of the truths of Scripture that has changed things for me is the understanding that as God’s child, my enemies are His enemies. We see in Psalm 83 how the enemies of Israel are the enemies of God. What we see is a powerful way to pray when we are up against something bigger than ourselves. I pray this episode blesses you. Thoughts to Journal: How does it feel to think about our enemies being God’s enemies? How does that change you...
Feb 14, 2023•26 min•Ep. 231
How Our Attitude Towards Justice Reflects Our Faithfulness to God: Reflections from Psalm 82 Speaking up on behalf of the weak and the needy is a theme we see throughout the Scriptures. Justice is something that God takes seriously, and as believers, we have a responsibility to take it seriously as well. Caring for what God cares about is a measure of our faithfulness to God. I pray this helps you understand God’s heart for the “least of these.” Thoughts to Journal: In what ways have you neglect...
Feb 13, 2023•28 min•Ep. 230
Do You Listen Obediently to God? How Our Disobedience Harms Our Relationship With God: Reflections from Psalm 81 What does it mean to obediently listen? In Psalm 81 we see God’s call to listen to Him because He desires to bless. Over and over we see God’s heart is for reconciliation and relationship. As we study Psalm 81, we can learn from Israel’s example to listen to the one who loves us most. Thoughts to Journal: Do you ever struggle to be obedient to God when He calls you to do something? So...
Feb 10, 2023•26 min•Ep. 229
Is Life Hard Right Now? A Prayer from Psalm 80 for When We Feel Like We are Hitting Rock Bottom There is an old cliché that talks about finally looking up at God once we hit rock bottom. But God’s heart is that you wouldn’t wait so long and that you would turn to Him for help because that’s truly the only way we will get through those hard seasons. Psalm 80 shows us how to pray when life is hard. I pray this episode blesses you. Thoughts to Journal: Have there been times in your life when everyt...
Feb 09, 2023•32 min•Ep. 228
Interceding in Prayer On the Behalf of Others: Reflections from Psalm 79 Psalm 79 shows us a powerful example of intercessory prayer on the behalf of Israel. Reminding God, through prayer, about His promises on behalf of others can be a way for us to help when it seems like there is nothing we can do. Not unlike today, Israel was in a desperate situation spiritually, politically, and economically. Thoughts to Journal: Who might God be calling me to intercede for? Does someone come to mind? Someo...
Feb 08, 2023•30 min•Ep. 227
Patterns of God’s Mercy: How God’s Patience for Israel Calls Us to Obedience: Reflections from Psalm 78 Psalm 78 covers 5 generations and showcases God’s mercy despite Israel’s unfaithfulness. As we learn from our spiritual ancestors, this psalm serves as a powerful reminder of what can happen if we continually test God’s mercy. Despite Israel’s rebellion, we still see a God who cares for His people. Today’s Key Verse: They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeeme...
Feb 07, 2023•38 min•Ep. 226
Feel Like God Isn’t Responding to You? Psalm 77 Shows Us What to Do It is a very normal human experience to feel like God isn’t answering you sometimes. Even when we are desperate in prayer, it can sometimes feel like God isn’t there. What do we do? How do we walk through those seasons? In today’s Psalm, we talk about that exact scenario. Today’s Key Verse: You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. Psalm 77:14 Hey friends, welcome to the Hearing Jesus Podca...
Feb 06, 2023•28 min•Ep. 225
Do you believe in miracles? ✨ Hear an exclusive interview moment from the Sparkle Speak podcast, where one mom tells the beautiful story of how her community came together to provide support for her family when they were in need. DISCOVER MORE EPISODES OF SPARKLE SPEAK: Missionary & Former Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Gina Sheets: https://apple.co/40ap8aJ Cancer Survivor Kim Merrefield: https://apple.co/3XSkNqT Artist Sadie Wilson: https://apple.co/3WLTpK5 Beauty Concierg...
Feb 04, 2023•11 min
Up Against Impossible Circumstances? How Psalm 76 Reminds Us That Our God is the God of the Impossible Today’s Psalm is a song of praise for what God did in the lives of the people of Judah. When we learn the character and nature of God from the Scriptures, it helps us to understand His character and nature today. I pray this episode blesses you. Today’s Key Verse: You are glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains. Psalm 76:4 NLT Hey friends, welcome to the Hearing Jesus Podcast....
Feb 03, 2023•25 min•Ep. 224
The Theology of Justice: Trusting God When He Doesn’t Act As Quickly As We Would Like: Reflections from Psalm 75 There are times in our lives where we pray for God to act quickly to deal with a situation. If God doesn’t act quickly though, it’s easy to allow frustration to settle in. Today we are looking at the theology of justice and how God intervenes on behalf of His people. Journaling Prompt: How does your perspective on justice change when considering God’s way of dealing with things? Do yo...
Feb 02, 2023•30 min•Ep. 223
Why? And How Long? Two Common Questions We Ask And What Psalm 74 Has to Say About Them Israel had many seasons when they went through some really difficult situations. God can not and will not be silent about sin forever, but it’s really hard to deal with the consequences of community sin. Not unlike today, Psalm 74 addresses community sin and is a prayer that reminds us that God’s discipline in our lives is a result of His love for us. Journaling Prompt: Have you had moments where you were obvi...
Feb 01, 2023•33 min•Ep. 222
Wallowing in Self-Pity? Struggling With Envy? How Psalm 73 Shows Us How to Deal With Our Envious Attitudes We have all had times in our lives where we have looked at the prosperity of others and felt like it was unjustified because of how evil they were. Celebrity culture is a prime example. Did you know that those problems are not new? Psalm 73 shows us that this is a heart issue that has been around awhile. How do we deal with it when believers seem to struggle but evil people seem to have thi...
Jan 31, 2023•36 min•Ep. 221
The Heart of the King Seeks After All People- Even the Ones We May Overlook- Reflections from Psalm 72 Throughout the Scriptures we see God’s heart for the needy, the broken, the hurting. Yet how do we reflect that in our own lives? Today we look at a prayer of Solomon that reminds us that the king and the kingdom prioritizes helping those that need the hope of the gospel. Is there someone in your life God is calling you to share that hope with? Today’s Key Verse: For He will deliver the needy w...
Jan 30, 2023•33 min•Ep. 220
Leaving Behind a Legacy of Faith- Reflections from Psalm 71 The heart of many believers is to make an impact in the kingdom that affects generations. In today’s psalm we see a prayer that encourages us to live a life that declares the testimony of God’s faithfulness to the world around us. I pray this episode blesses you. Today’s Key Verse: I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone. Psalm 71:16 Hey friends, welcome to the Hearing...
Jan 27, 2023•25 min•Ep. 219
Waiting Well: How to Deal With the Challenge of Declaring God’s Goodness While Waiting for Him to Move- Reflections from Psalm 70 As believer’s we live in the tension of praising God but also desiring His return. We see this same tension in the Psalms as Israel waits for God’s hand of rescue. Let the example David shows us encourage us as we wait well. Today’s Key Verse: But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “Go...
Jan 26, 2023•20 min•Ep. 218
When Others Don’t Understand Your Zeal: Reflections from Psalm 69 Sometimes people will not understand our passion and zeal for God. Sometimes it will even be people that “should” get it. It’s ok. Keep going. Keep growing. Keep following God’s path for your life. As much as it may anger or insult us, it’s not lost on God and He will deal with it in His timing. We have to take our eyes off of them and focus back on Him. Today’s Key Verse: I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with than...
Jan 25, 2023•34 min•Ep. 217
God’s Heart Revealed: How Psalm 68 Shows Us the Compassion of God and How We Should Respond Psalm 68 is sometimes called a difficult Psalm, but inside we see some of the most clear examples of what burdens God’s heart. As we study this Psalm today, my prayer is that you will recognize your own calling to care about the things God cares about: the marginalized of society, the widows, the orphan, the prisoners. We serve a God who delights in caring for those that others overlook. Today’s Key Verse...
Jan 24, 2023•37 min•Ep. 216
The Great Commission in the Old Testament? How Psalm 67 Calls Us to Share Our Faith With Those Around Us While many of us are familiar with the call to share the gospel that is found in the New Testament, sometimes we overlook a similar call that we see in the Psalms. Today we look at God’s heart for the nations and what part we should play in sharing the hope of the gospel with those around us. Today’s Key Verse: May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ...
Jan 23, 2023•25 min•Ep. 215
Sharing Our Faith With Others: How Psalm 66 Shows Us How to Share Our Faith Evangelism does not have to be complicated. In fact, it can be as simple as just telling others what God is doing in our lives. Don't allow intimidation or fear keep you from sharing your faith with those around you. God can work in and through your story to draw others to a relationship with Him. Today’s Key Verse: Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind! Psalm 66:5 Hey friends, welcome to the Hear...
Jan 20, 2023•31 min•Ep. 214
Only the Creator Can Redeem His Creation: How Psalm 65 Reveals the Connection between Creation and Redemption Creation and redemption are intrinsically related because only the Creator can redeem His creation. In Psalm 65, we see the theme of grace which should produces a spirit of thanks in us as believers. Today we walk through the connection in a psalm that has been used as a community hymn to celebrate God’s goodness. I pray this episode blesses you. Today’s Key Verse: When we were overwhelm...
Jan 19, 2023•28 min•Ep. 213
When Words Are Weapons: How God Defends Us When the Enemy Attacks: Psalm 64 Words can be weapons that do some pretty bad damage in our lives. Psalm 64 reveals the way that God gets involved in our lives and defends us. We don’t have a God that sits by, watching us get attacked. Instead, we have a God who intervenes on our behalf. I pray this episode blesses you. Today’s Key Verse: Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; let all the upright in heart praise him! Psalm 64:10 H...
Jan 18, 2023•32 min•Ep. 212
Thirsting After God: How Psalm 63 Recognizes Our Deep Longing For God We are created to be in relationship with God which should produce in us a longing to be in His presence. Yet so many times, we try to satisfy that longing with the pursuit of wealth, career, social status, addiction, etc. Today we are looking at what it means to thirst after God and the way He longs to fulfill that desire in our lives. Today’s Key Verse: O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you. Ps...
Jan 17, 2023•27 min•Ep. 211
Soul Rest. What Is It and How Can We Get It? : Reflections from Psalm 62 In Psalm 62, David point us in the direction of soul rest. Soul rest is different than physical rest, but for many of us, it soul rest remains elusive. Today we are talking about deep, restorative rest that enables us to keep going. I pray this episode blesses you. Today’s Key Verse: My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. Psalm 62:1 Hey friends, welcome to the Hearing Jesus Podcast. Do you sometimes d...
Jan 16, 2023•36 min•Ep. 210
The Safety of God’s Shadow: Reflections from Psalm 61 Like many of the people we see in Scripture, as Christians we can sometimes struggle with the tension of living in this world, but not being of this world. Today we look at the prayer in Psalm 61 and can be encouraged by the way God stands in to protect His people. I pray this episode blesses you. Today’s Key Verse: From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2 ...
Jan 13, 2023•24 min•Ep. 209
When We Don’t Understand, We Can Trust God is Faithful: Reflections from Psalm 60 When we are facing moments of chaos, it can be easy to feel like God has turned His back on us. Yet David reminds us in Psalm 60 that God is faithful, even when we don’t understand. Learning that powerful truth can make all the difference in how we live our lives in the hard moments. Today’s Key Verse: With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies. Psalm 60:12 Hey friends, welcome to the H...
Jan 12, 2023•31 min•Ep. 208
Facing Trouble? How God Can Be Our Strength in Seasons that Don’t Make Sense: Reflections from Psalm 59 It can be so hard to face situations when we are innocent yet we feel like we have no idea how to get out of the mess we find ourselves in. The encouragement from Psalm 59 shows us how God can help us through those situations and be a refuge for us when we find ourselves in trouble. Today’s Key Verse: But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my for...
Jan 11, 2023•26 min•Ep. 207
What is a Word for the Year and How Can I Get One: Surrendering Our Agenda to God’s Agenda We are hearing it everywhere: a Word for the Year. But what if you don’t even know what that means? Or how can we know that the Word we chose is what God wants for us? Today we talk about what it means to lay down our own agenda in exchange for what God wants to do in and through us. I pray this episode blesses you. Hey friends, welcome to the Hearing Jesus Podcast. Do you sometimes doubt if you are truly ...
Jan 10, 2023•32 min•Ep. 206
