Arise and Abide

In this episode of Arise and Abide , Curtis and Sally read Isaiah 23 and reflect on God's judgment of Tyre, a wealthy and influential city brought low because of its pride. Their conversation explores the cycle of pride, shame, and self-reliance—and why changing outward behavior is not enough if the deeper condition of the heart remains unchanged. Curtis and Sally discuss the difference between he...

In Proverbs 8, wisdom does not hide or remain out of reach—it calls openly to anyone willing to listen. Curtis and Sally discuss the invitation to pursue godly wisdom and the striking connections between this chapter, John 1, and the New Testament description of Jesus as the wisdom of God. Together, they explore what it means to seek wisdom rather than relying solely on our own understanding, espe...

In this episode of Arise+Abide, Curtis and Sally read Isaiah 22, where Jerusalem prepares for destruction by strengthening its walls, gathering weapons, and storing water—yet never turns to the Lord. They discuss how repeatedly placing our trust in worldly security can weaken our inclination to seek God when trouble comes. The chapter also contrasts Shebna's self-exalting leadership with Eliakim's...

In Proverbs 7, a father warns his son about the destructive consequences of following temptation. Curtis and Sally discuss how temptation often disguises itself as something desirable, convenient, or perfectly timed while concealing the harm it will cause. God's wisdom provides an internal warning system that helps us recognize the bait before we enter the trap. By writing His instruction on our h...

In this episode, Curtis and Sally read Isaiah 20 and 21, where God warns Egypt, Ethiopia, Babylon, Edom, and Arabia that earthly power, military alliances, and human wisdom cannot provide lasting security. Isaiah's prophetic sign and the watchman's message reveal the danger of placing our hope anywhere other than the Lord. Curtis and Sally connect the watchman's vigilance to Jesus' call in Mark 13...

Proverbs 6 warns us about the everyday traps created by pride, laziness, dishonesty, poor decisions, and sexual temptation. Curtis and Sally discuss why wisdom sometimes requires us to swallow our pride, act quickly, and change direction before a harmful situation becomes inescapable—with a memorable and slightly unsettling frog analogy along the way. They also explore how the instruction of godly...

In Isaiah 19, the Lord confronts Egypt's misplaced trust in idols, human wisdom, and earthly power. Curtis and Sally discuss how these false sources of security leave the nation fearful, divided, and unable to save itself—and how we can similarly rely on worldly advice rather than beginning with prayer, Scripture, and trust in God. Yet this chapter ultimately offers a remarkable message of hope: t...

In this episode of Arise+Abide, Curtis and Sally read Proverbs 5 and discuss the warning to avoid the crooked path of sexual immorality and other desires that can lead us away from God. They reflect on how sin can appear desirable at first but eventually becomes a trap, holding us captive and leading to painful consequences. The conversation explores the importance of discipline, self-control, and...

In Isaiah 18, Ethiopia responds to the growing threat of Assyria by sending messengers to seek alliances with surrounding nations. Yet Isaiah reminds Judah that its security does not depend on human plans, military strength, or political partnerships. The Lord is quietly watching, fully aware of the approaching danger, and prepared to act at the proper time. In this episode, Curtis and Sally discu...

In this episode of Arise and Abide , Curtis and Sally read and reflect on Proverbs 4, a chapter centered on a father's wise instruction to his children. Together, they explore the image of wisdom as a guiding path that protects, corrects, and leads God's people toward life. Sally reflects on the importance of staying on the path God has given rather than turning aside to our own understanding or f...

In this episode of Arise + Abide , Sally and Curtis read and reflect on 2 Chronicles 31, where the joy of Passover leads the people of Judah into renewed worship, repentance, and generosity. After celebrating together, the people return home and immediately tear down the idols, shrines, and altars that had drawn their hearts away from the Lord. Their worship becomes more than a festival moment; it...

In this episode of Arise+Abide , Curtis and Sally read and reflect on Proverbs 3, a chapter filled with fatherly wisdom, practical instruction, and the well-known call to "trust in the Lord with all your heart." The conversation explores how wisdom is not merely something to know, but something to store deep within the heart, hold tightly, and allow to shape daily life. Curtis and Sally discuss th...

In 2 Chronicles 30, King Hezekiah invites all Israel and Judah to return to the Lord by celebrating the Passover in Jerusalem. Though the celebration happens later than prescribed and many people are not ceremonially prepared, Hezekiah intercedes for them, asking the Lord to pardon those whose hearts are set on seeking Him. God listens, heals the people, and turns a delayed and imperfect gathering...

In this episode of Arise+Abide, Curtis and Sally reflect on 2 Chronicles 29:18–36 and the restoration of the temple under King Hezekiah. After years of neglect and unfaithfulness under King Ahaz, the temple is cleansed, purified, and reopened for worship. What follows is a beautiful picture of repentance, sacrifice, praise, and wholehearted return to the Lord. They explore the significance of Heze...

In this episode of  Arise+Abide , Curtis and Sally reflect on Proverbs 2 and the treasure of godly wisdom. Solomon's words invite us to tune our ears to wisdom, cry out for understanding, and seek insight like hidden treasure. Together, they explore what it means to admit that we do not already know the right way and why true wisdom must be received from God rather than assumed from ourselves. Cur...

In this episode of Arise+Abide , Curtis and Sally reflect on 2 Chronicles 29:3–17, where King Hezekiah begins his reign with a bold act of spiritual restoration: reopening and cleansing the temple of the Lord. After generations of neglect and defilement under King Ahaz, Hezekiah calls the priests and Levites back to their God-given purpose—purity, worship, and faithful service. Together, they expl...

What voice are you listening to, wisdom or the world? In this episode of Arise+Abide, Curtis and Sally explore Proverbs 1 and the powerful image of wisdom crying out in the streets, calling us toward discipline, discernment, and the abundant life God desires for His people. They reflect on Solomon's God-given wisdom, the daily choice to reject sinful shortcuts, and the invitation to humble ourselv...

In this episode of Arise+Abide , Curtis and Sally reflect on Isaiah 15 and 16, where the Lord delivers a sobering message of judgment over Moab. These chapters paint a haunting picture of cities destroyed overnight, land left scorched and lifeless, and a people mourning the collapse of everything they trusted apart from God. Curtis explores the suddenness of God's justice, connecting Moab's overni...

Psalm 150 closes the Psalms with a joyful crescendo of worship, and in this episode of Arise+Abide , Curtis and Sally reflect on the beauty of wholehearted praise. Drawing from the psalm's vivid imagery of ram's horns, harps, tambourines, strings, flutes, and crashing cymbals, they explore what it means to praise God with everything we have and everything we do. The conversation moves beyond music...

In this episode of Arise+Abide , Curtis and Sally reflect on Isaiah 14, a chapter filled with powerful imagery of the fall of the proud and the certainty of God's justice. As Babylon, Assyria, and Philistia each receive words of judgment, the deeper theme emerges: every power that exalts itself against God will ultimately be humbled. Together, they explore the striking passage of the "morning star...

In this episode of Arise + Abide , Curtis and Sally reflect on Psalm 149 and its powerful call to praise the Lord with joy, creativity, and wholehearted devotion. From singing a "new song" to rejoicing even in rest, this psalm paints a vibrant picture of worship that flows from a living relationship with God. As the conversation unfolds, they explore the striking shift in tone in the second half o...

In this powerful episode of Arise + Abide , Curtis and Sally explore 2 Kings 16:19–20 and Isaiah 13, tracing the transition from King Ahaz to Hezekiah and unpacking Isaiah's prophetic vision of Babylon's fall. Reflecting on Israel's earlier failure as God's vineyard—called to produce justice but yielding oppression—they examine how God's judgment extends beyond His own people to the nations. Thoug...

In this episode of Arise + Abide , Sally and Curtis reflect on Psalm 148 , a powerful call for all creation to praise the Lord. From the heights of heaven to the depths of the earth, the psalm invites angels, stars, mountains, animals, rulers, and people of every generation to lift their voices in worship. Together they explore the structure of the psalm and the reasons it gives for praise: God is...

In this episode of Arise + Abide , Curtis and Sally read and reflect on Isaiah 5 , where God describes His people as a carefully tended vineyard that produced bitter fruit instead of justice and righteousness. They explore the warning against calling evil good and good evil, and how sin becomes a burden we drag behind us. The discussion also points forward to Jesus' teaching that true life and goo...

In this episode of Arise + Abide , Curtis and Sally explore Psalm 147 , a psalm that celebrates God's power, care, and faithfulness. The psalm calls believers to praise the Lord by reflecting on His works—from rebuilding Jerusalem and healing the brokenhearted to sustaining creation and providing for every living thing. Curtis highlights the psalm's unique structure, noting how repeated calls to p...