God's decrees are trustworthy and we can rely on Him. Emma Dotter is joined by faithful Watermark member, Scott Robertson. The term translated “decrees” in Psalm 93 refer to God’s law/commands recorded throughout the Old Testament. We get to see that God's design, decrees and plans are always what's best and He can be trusted. Additional Scripture Referenced in Today's Episode: Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Matthew 14, Jesus walks on wate...
Sep 10, 2024•12 min
In today’s passage, we are reminded of how big God is. Faithful Watermark member, Carol Robertson joins Emma Dotter to talk about Psalm 92 and how from morning to night we are reminded of God’s love and faithfulness. Grab a Join The Journey Journal for Psalms: https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g Got kids? Check out the Psalms Join The Journey Jr. Journal: https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898...
Sep 09, 2024•11 min
Today, Jesse Collins is back in the podcast studio with Emma Dotter to talk about Psalm 91 and the security, deliverance and assurance we have in Christ. Jesse shares some of what he and his wife have walked through over the last year and how this psalm has been a comfort and hope. We live in a broken world, so suffering is not completely gone now. But we have hope knowing that God is present in our suffering, and he is our safe place. When we walk through suffering, we can lean into Christ as o...
Sep 06, 2024•9 min
What does it mean for the Lord to “establish the work of our hands?” In today’s episode covering Psalm 90, Emma Dotter is joined by Seth and Brooke Master who answer this question. Seth will be interning with Join The Journey this fall, so you will definitely get to hear more from him! Additional Scriptures referenced in this episode: John 15:5 - Fruit If you are interested in joining Seth as an intern with Join The Journey, email jointhejourney@watermark.org for more information about future in...
Sep 05, 2024•11 min
What does it mean that God is incomparable? And what do you do when you feel awkward sharing the gospel? In today’s episode, Emma Dotter is joined by Watermark Community Church High school student, Caleb Wenning to discuss these questions and more. Learn more about Watermark’s ministry to Middle & High School Students: https://www.watermark.org/ministries/students Learn more about Watermark’s ministry to college students: https://www.watermark.org/ministries/college Check out Watermark Music...
Sep 04, 2024•10 min
In this episode Emma and Lauren (but mostly Lauren, our favorite JTJ podcast teammate) walk us through Psalm 88 - the psalm most commonly associated with “dark nights of the soul.” When we see the psalmist express deep and intense emotions, how do those expressions impact our understanding of God’s character? Additional scripture referenced in this episode: 1 Chronicles 6:33 - Who was Heman? 1 Chronicles 25:1 - Who was Heman? 2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is John 10:35 - Scripture cannot be bro...
Sep 03, 2024•14 min
What does "this one was born there" mean? Emma Dotter walks through Psalm 87 and shows how the story of Nicodemus in John 3 connects to our passage today. In the Old Testament, Zion is the place where God would meet with his people in the temple. We see in this psalm that Zion carries deep spiritual significance because it represents a people or nation belonging to God. There are people from all over the world who place their faith in Christ and are reborn, similar to how Zion represents a new b...
Sep 02, 2024•15 min
In today’s episode covering Psalm 86, Emma Dotter is joined by Watermark’s Worship Director, Hayden Browning. Watermark Music’s song, Undivided Heart, is rooted in today’s psalm. Hayden shares how this psalm not only intersected with his own life but also inspired the worship song we sing together as a church. **Check out Watermark Music’s new song, Behold The Lamb: https://watermarkmusic.fanlink.tv/beholdthelamb If you are interested in serving on Watermark’s Worship Team as a bass player or el...
Aug 30, 2024•13 min
God encourages His kids to ask Him to operate in ways that challenge the status quo and put His character on display. In today’s episode covering Psalm 85, Emma addresses this idea and more! Additional Scripture referenced in today’s episode: 2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord isn’t wishing for anyone to perish Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal: https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g Got kids? Check out the Psalms Join The Journey Jr. Journal: https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podc...
Aug 29, 2024•10 min
Ever wonder if God is depriving his people of anything good? Today Emma Dotter is joined by Watermark Student's graduate Anna Sharpe to talk through Psalm 84. If we are wondering if God is withholding good from us, we have to first define what good is. We see throughout the Bible, that true joy and happiness comes only from abiding in Jesus. The best gift God could ever give us is the gift of His Son, and that can never be taken away. We can follow the psalmist's example of being honest with God...
Aug 28, 2024•11 min
How can we make sense of passages in the Bible talking about mercy and others where the writers are crying out for judgement on their enemies? Today, Emma Dotter dives into Psalm 83, an imprecatory psalm, to answer this question. The God of the Old Testament truly is the God of the New Testament. All of us in our sin were enemies of God before Christ's sacrifice for us and our salvation. On the cross Jesus incurred the wrath of God, and in so doing he provided mercy and forgiveness for those who...
Aug 27, 2024•12 min
Who are the gods the psalmist is speaking to? Today, Emma Dotter is joined by faithful Watermark member, Rob Heath, to talk through Psalm 82. While there could be different meanings of what a potential "divine counsel" or "gods" may mean, we know that ultimately God is the Most High God and is Himself the source of all wisdom. If you have questions about taking your next step with God, feel free to reach out to us here: jointhejourney@watermark.org. Additional Scripture Referenced: Psalm 89:5-7 ...
Aug 26, 2024•13 min
Do you remember and celebrate God’s faithfulness? In ancient Israeli culture, God commanded them to celebrate His past faithfulness to them through various feasts. In today’s episode, Emma Dotter points out how Psalm 81 was probably referencing the Feast of Tabernacles and is a foreshadowing of Christ dwelling among us. Celebrating God’s deeds is important because gratitude moves us to action and combats discouragement. Additional Scriptures referenced: Leviticus 23:40-42, “On the first day you ...
Aug 23, 2024•10 min
When those around you are going through suffering, how can we point them back to our Savior? Today Emma Dotter is joined by faithful Watermark member Lauren Browning to talk through Psalm 80. This passages displays both our sin and God's solution to our sin. Jesus Christ is the vine out of Egypt who brings salvation to the nations. Not only is Jesus the answer to our sin and suffering, but He is with us in our suffering. When we cry out to God, it shows the dependent nature of our heart. May we ...
Aug 22, 2024•10 min
How should we respond to God when He disciplines us for our sinful actions? In Psalm 79, Asaph writes a song of lament after Jeremiah had prophesied about God’s judgement over Israel and the Babylonians’ destruction of Jerusalem. Join the Journey Staff Member Lauren Atkinson and faithful Watermark Member and college student Gabby Parker point out that even in Israel's suffering and separation from the promised land, God is still with them. Additional Scriptures Referenced: Matthew 18:21-22, “The...
Aug 21, 2024•13 min
Why did the psalmist feel the need to remind readers of everything the Lord did for them? Today, Ben Krejci and Ethan Howard are jumping into Psalm 78 and talking about how we know who God is because of how he has revealed himself. God is the initiator of his relationship with Israel, even in their sin. He consistently pursues them despite their sin and rebellion. This psalm shows us who God is, who we are, and who we are in right relationship to Him in Christ. As we look back at how God was fai...
Aug 20, 2024•8 min
Is it possible for God's steadfast love to cease? And is it okay for us to ask that? Today, Emma Dotter is joined by Watermark staff member Lauren Atkinson to talk about Psalm 77 and how we wrestle with doubt that comes from suffering. When Asaph is in suffering, he is honest with God and calls himself to remember God's faithfulness in his life. Jesus Christ has shown us that His love for us could never cease. Additional Scripture Referenced: Psalm 73 – "why do the wicked prosper?" Isaiah 9:6 – ...
Aug 19, 2024•12 min
"If we don't appreciate the wrath of God, we are minimizing what Jesus accomplished on the cross." In today’s episode, Emma Dotter and faithful Watermark member John Michael Davis talk about how when we take sin lightly, that hinders us from understanding the fullness of the gospel. Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024: https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g Got kids? Check out the NEW Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024: https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcas...
Aug 16, 2024•10 min
When the world feels like it is spinning out of control, how do you remind yourself that God is the one who steadies the pillars? In today’s episode, Emma Dotter and faithful Watermark member Amber H. dive into Psalm 75 and talk about how God is just and executes good judgement. Because of this, we can sing praises to the Lord no matter the circumstance. Additional Scripture Referenced: Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed,...
Aug 15, 2024•12 min
Who or what is a Leviathan? In today’s episode, Emma Dotter and faithful Watermark high school senior Tee Parker dive into Psalm 74 and the different interpretations of Leviathan. Whether the Leviathan was a myth about chaos or a real sea serpent creature, we can know that when facing evil and enemies of God, we can trust that in the struggle, God will be faithful to deliver us. Check out Tee Parker’s previous episode! https://open.spotify.com/episode/4mb7gJYTFmL0PfpwQ1DAlk?si=4e73e5f8a2c042b6 G...
Aug 14, 2024•13 min
How can we learn from verses we may not easily understand? Today, Join the Journey staff member Lauren Atkinson considers the context while studying Psalm 73. The author, Asaph, was a righteous man who was despondent as he saw the prosperity of the wicked. When we see the wicked prosper, we can look to God for wisdom in discerning the future, and realize that first: purity, obedience and faithfulness are not for nothing, and second: that in God’s presence, there is fulness of joy. Additional Scr...
Aug 13, 2024•12 min
Today, Emma Dotter is joined by faithful Watermark member, Ben Solomon, who serves with School Impact to reach students and parents of local schools. In Psalm 72, Solomon describes a just king, but how does that relate to our call as Christians today? Ben walks us through how Psalm 72 is a picture of God’s heart for children in poverty and how we as believers can respond. No matter our decisions on education, our conversations should reflect the love of Christ and his heart for children of every...
Aug 12, 2024•13 min
How can we balance petitioning God for help while placing our confidence in Him? Today, Emma Dotter is joined by Join The Journey staff member Lauren Atkinson to talk through Psalm 71. David appeals to God’s righteousness and asks for God’s refuge while recounting God’s faithfulness in the past, present and future. This psalm provides a model for how we can pray as we praise God for His character and ask Him to act according to who He is. We know now that David's prayer for salvation and deliver...
Aug 09, 2024•11 min
Why does the Lord sometimes delay instead of helping us right away? Today Emma Dotter is joined by faithful Watermark member Sara Fusco to talk through Psalm 70 and why sometimes God makes us wait. In a world of instant gratification, God often uses waiting to grow our patience, trust and dependence on Him. What if God asking us to wait is actually out of an overflow of his love for us? If God is asking us to wait, and God is always good, then waiting must be good too. God will always use waitin...
Aug 08, 2024•14 min
How should we respond to God when we face despair? In today’s episode, Emma Dotter and Join the Journey Intern Lauren Fricke go through Psalm 69 as David walks through deep despair yet turns to God in honesty and reliance. This psalm is a wonderful reminder of God’s faithfulness and protective hand when we go through the harder times of life. Additional Scripture Referenced: Isaish 43:1-3, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the wate...
Aug 07, 2024•9 min
Today Emma Dotter is joined by faithful Watermark Member Brandon Pokley to talk about Psalm 68. This passage shows us more about who God is by seeing what He values. We see many elements about God's character from this psalm found in Jesus' teachings as well, as Jesus Christ is the very "image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15) and the "exact imprint of his nature" (Hebrews 1:3). As we see God rightly, the Holy Spirit transforms our character to become more like Christ and find joy in His p...
Aug 06, 2024•12 min
What does God's care toward all of the nations teach us about him? Today Emma Dotter is joined by Join The Journey staff member Rebekah Banks to talk about Psalm 67 and God's heart for the nations. The mission of God doesn't just start in the New Testament. Israel was to be a reflection of God to the world, but they failed. Christ came so that all nations could know God and glorify him. As believers, we are united to Christ by His Spirit who is transforming us to look like Christ and reflect His...
Aug 05, 2024•13 min
Today, Emma Dotter is joined by Join The Journey Editor Makaila Swank to talk about Psalm 66, a thanksgiving psalm praising God for his faithfulness. This psalm models for us how we can express suffering we experience, appeal to God’s mercy as we ask for help, praise God for his deliverance, and continue to praise Him for future faithfulness. We have hope for today knowing that we have been freed from the power of sin. The encouragement this psalm brings is amplified knowing that there is a day ...
Aug 02, 2024•14 min
How does nature sing to God? Today, Emma Dotter is joined by faithful Watermark member, Alfred Abraham to explain how nature declares the God of our salvation in Psalm 65. Nature speaks to how God preserves, provides for and protects us. As God cares about nature’s flourishing, so he cares about our flourishing. As Creator, God shows His power in creation and His intentionality in our lives today. Additional Scripture Referenced: Acts 2-3 – Pentecost John 6:35 – Jesus is the bread of life John 7...
Aug 01, 2024•12 min
Why is it hard for us to ask for help? Today on the podcast, Emma Dotter takes us through Psalm 64 where David is asking God for emotional protection from discouragement and physical protection from harm. It can be hard to ask for help from others and the Lord, whether that is from fear of being vulnerable or a desire to be self-sufficient. When we don’t ask for help, we reinforce the idea that we should do things on our own instead of depending on the Lord. Thanks to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cro...
Jul 31, 2024•8 min
