Wawasee Bible Podcast

God used Jephthah—an outcast born of a prostitute—to deliver Israel, showing how he empowers flawed people for great purposes. Jephthah’s faith and leadership set him apart, as did his strength. Not just physical strength, but deep theological understanding. Though he made a controversial vow, it appears he honored it in obedience without violating God's law, possibly dedicating his daughter to li...

In Matthew 9:36, Jesus sees the crowds with great compassion... as "sheep without a shepherd." This week Roberto Paz preaches from this verse while sharing his story of how Jesus had great compassion on him and used even the brokenness around him to shape his life. What would it mean to recognize the people around you as "sheep without a shepherd"—and respond with the same compassion that found yo...

Joseph's story—and the book of Genesis itself—wraps up with two important vignettes. The first is Joseph's father, Jacob, blessing his sons in his final days and marking them as part of God's covenant family, building a legacy that would far outlive him. In those final days of Jacob, we also get a glimpse of God's sovereignty. God is in complete control of everything and always knows what’s best,...

When life takes a devastating turn and circumstances seem impossible to understand, there's comfort in remembering that God sees the full picture even when we don't. This is the story of Joseph, whose life was filled with betrayal, injustice, and long periods of confusion and waiting. Still, Joseph eventually came to recognize that what probably seemed like senseless suffering had actually been us...

As Joseph's brothers return a second time for grain, we see Joe using some tests to reveal the true character of his brothers. It had been over 20 years since they sold him into slavery. Had they changed in that time? Curiously, the tests Joseph uses are similar to tests God uses in our lives—specifically the types of tests that reveal our hearts and show us where we need to grow. God often uses t...

When Joseph's brothers show up to buy grain in Egypt, we get a profound picture of how hurt can be transformed rather than repeated—especially when the opportunity for revenge is right in front of us. Joseph, sold into slavery by his own brothers and left for dead, rises by God's providence to power in Egypt, only to come face-to-face with his brothers decades later. The encounter reopens old woun...

Life often feels confusing, especially when viewed through the narrow lens of our own struggles, delays, or unexpected turns. It's easy to focus in on the immediate—heartbreak, disappointment, loss, or discouragement—without seeing how it fits into anything larger. But what if those microscopic hardships are essential parts of a far greater plan? Just like Joseph, who went from the depths of betra...

What sustained Joseph during all of his trials in Egypt? Certainly, a big part of it was his ongoing awareness of God's presence. Despite betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment, Joseph remained faithful, attentive to others' needs, and confident in God's presence and plan. Practicing the presence of God is about learning to live aware of being in the presence of God all the time. Theologians sometime...

Joseph's story in Genesis 39 shows that being in the center of God's plan doesn't exempt anyone from suffering—Joseph's betrayal, slavery, and false accusation might have made him wonder if God had abandoned him; but in reality, God was with him at every step. The text even tells us that in the midst of his trials, Joseph was successful. That may seem odd to us, but success in God's eyes often loo...

We begin a new series looking at the life of Joseph in Genesis 37 through 50. At age 17 he experiences rejection and betrayal by his older brothers, who, in their jealousy, sell him into slavery. Joseph's path starts with deep pain, confusion, and setback. (And there would be more in his life yet to come.) But in God's providence, Joseph’s suffering and setback becomes God's set-up. God would use...

It's often said that the Christian Life is more of a marathon than a sprint. Paul uses the metaphor of running a race when he talks about it, because it requires perseverance, focus, and resilience. Maybe we should think of it more as an ultra-marathon, even. So many things could distract and pull us off course—and sometimes they do!—but the call of the Spirit on our lives is to keep running. Even...

Jesus's resurrection shows he is the way through—he walked through suffering, endured the silence of the grave, and emerged victorious to call each person by name into new life. Just like seeds that must die before they can bloom, Jesus' death was necessary to give way to transformation for all who trust in him. His suffering paid our debt in full, completely and finally—there's nothing left to ad...

Message from Josh Weiland on April 13, 2025

We begin a new short series called "This is the Way," looking at Jesus who said he himself is the way, and shows us how to follow him. It all begins by being born again. Jesus spoke of two deaths and two births. He taught that we'd all experience birth and death a total of three times—physical birth and physical death, then we'd each choose which we'll experience a second time: spiritual birth or...

After a life marked by deception and struggle, Jacob experiences a profound transformation when God reminds him of the new identity he’s been given—no longer the deceiver, but Israel, one God fights for. This shift reflects the deeper truth available to all who turn from sin and toward Jesus: God gives a renewed identity not based on performance, but on his grace. Jacob’s life turns on a moment of...

Jacob's journey reveals the dangers of both passivity and unchecked vengeance. After finally acknowledging God as his own, Jacob fails to protect his daughter, Dinah, from tragedy, remaining silent instead of defending her. His sons, fueled by rage, take justice into their own hands, enacting brutal revenge. How do you respond to wrongs? Do you remain passive, or do you let bitterness consume you...

After 20 years with Laban, Jacob is finally on his way back to the promised land. At the outset, he sees and knows God's presence in Genesis 32, but when faced with the prospect of meeting his estranged brother Esau, fear took hold. Jacob panicked a bit, forgetting the security of God's promise to him. In his anxiety, he tried to control the situation, sending gifts ahead to appease Esau. But whil...

Have you ever wondered what might make God angry? It’s fair to say that the biggest trigger is when we ignore his call on our life. Moses's experience at the burning bush gives us a clear example of this. Despite being met by God in an extraordinary way and being clearly called by him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses responds with a series of excuses, each revealing his insecurities and...

Life is full of plans—some well thought out, others rushed, and sometimes even schemes to get ahead. The story of Jacob and Laban in Genesis 30-31 is a perfect example of how human plans, no matter how clever, are always subject to God's greater purpose. Jacob, known for his scheming ways, tries to outmaneuver his equally deceptive father-in-law, Laban. Both men attempt to manipulate circumstances...

Life can be messy, full of struggles, and sometimes even chaotic. But even in the middle of all that, God is still at work, shaping a future and keeping his promises. Looking at Jacob’s life in Genesis 29, it’s clear that he was no stranger to deception, family dysfunction, and personal failures. He tricked his brother Esau, was deceived by his uncle Laban, and ended up in a complicated marriage s...

After all of the events surrounding Jacob scheming with his mom to get his dad’s blessing (stealing it from his brother Esau), Jacob finds himself in a mess and on the run. His brother Esau wants to kill him, and he’s no longer safe at home. Under the guise of going to find a wife, Jacob is on his way north when God meets him in a dream and promises to be with him and bless him. Jacob was surprise...

Esau and Jacob had some deep sibling rivalry—think kids tussling over toys, only way more intense. Theses two brothers took rivalry to a whole new level, from fighting in the womb, trading birthrights for soup, and scheming for blessings. Chasing what we want can mess with what God’s got planned. Esau was all about instant gratification, trading something huge for a quick bite, while Jacob keeps p...

If you were to tell the story of your life, where would you start? As we begin to consider Jacob’s life in Genesis, we’re starting with his grandpa and his parents. Life is a tapestry of ordinary moments, shaped by decisions and events that often seem mundane. Yet, God works through these ordinary moments to fulfill his extraordinary plans. Will you trust him in the ordinary of life? As we learn t...

What is the “good life”? People have explored that question for millennia. Jesus tackles it as well. He emphasizes the importance of generosity as a key to living a fulfilling and meaningful life. Luke 12 is one of Jesus’s longest teachings on money and wealth, and in the parable of the Rich Fool he gives us a vivid warning not to trust in the uncertainty of riches. Life is short, and we’re to be...

What is the “good life”? People have explored that question for millennia. It can be argued that Jesus tackles it as well. All of Scripture points to the truth that God is the owner of everything—all we have belongs to God! He simply entrusts it to us to steward—to be the caretakers of his stuff. When we embrace this truth, it frees us to live a life of generosity, no matter our station or income...