Walking Close, Living Changed

In Episode 23 of Walking Close, Living Changed, Brian begins a new series exploring great faith moments in the New Testament. Using the story of Jairus from Mark 5, he examines the journey between believing God for a miracle and actually seeing that miracle fulfilled. Rather than focusing only on the miracle itself, Brian identifies five distinct stages Jairus experienced—from making the first mov...

In this episode of Walking Close, Living Changed, Brian continues building on last week's message about trusting God for our daily bread by exploring why we spend so much time worrying about what we don't have. Through the story of Peter and John healing the lame man at the temple gate, Brian encourages listeners to stop focusing on what is missing and instead trust that God knows what they truly...

In this episode of Walking Close, Living Changed, Brian explores one of the simplest yet most powerful phrases in the Lord's Prayer: "Give us this day our daily bread." He explains how Jesus emphasized daily dependence on God, daily trust, and daily provision. Drawing from the teachings of Jesus, the story of manna in the wilderness, Daniel's daily devotion, and Hebrews 4, Brian encourages listene...

In this episode of Walking Close, Living Changed, Brian explores Jesus' teaching that true greatness in God's kingdom comes through becoming like little children. Using Matthew 18, he explains that adults often lose qualities that children naturally possess: wonder, humility, and openness to growth. Brian identifies three common obstacles that prevent believers from experiencing the fullness of Go...

In this episode of Walking Close, Living Changed, Brian talks about the kinds of cries that get God's attention as a loving Father. Using the picture of a parent recognizing the different cries of a child, Brian explains that God knows the difference between casual complaints, spiritual hunger, repentance, and deep compassion for others. Through scriptures from Psalms, Matthew, Peter, Job, and the...

In this episode of Walking Close, Living Changed, Brian explores the story of Peter's vision in Acts 10 and how God used it to completely reshape Peter's understanding of salvation. Peter initially believed God's message was about food and religious law, but eventually realized God was revealing that the Gospel was meant for all people, not just the Jews. Brian uses this story to teach listeners t...

In this episode of Walking Close, Living Changed, Brian explores the idea of "divine interruptions" and how God can redirect, delay, or interrupt even the paths He originally called us to walk. Using stories from Exodus and Acts 16, Brian explains that interruptions are not always obstacles. Sometimes they are God's protection, preparation, or redirection. Other times they come through the needs o...

In this episode of Walking Close, Living Changed, Brian explores the story of Balaam and the talking donkey from Numbers 22 to teach a powerful lesson about interruptions, frustration, and spiritual awareness. He explains that the "donkeys" in our lives—unexpected problems, delays, people, or setbacks—may not actually be obstacles, but warnings, lessons, or even protection from something worse. Th...

In this episode of Walking Close, Living Changed , Brian Opbroek shares a powerful perspective: joy isn't just something God gives directly—it's something He delivers through everyday life. Titled "Joy—Take It However It Comes," Brian explains how joy shows up through relationships, accomplishments, simple moments, and even trials. Instead of waiting for joy to appear, he challenges listeners to r...

In this episode of Walking Close, Living Changed , Brian Opbroek explores what it means to feel like something is missing in life and how to find it. Reflecting on the milestone of reaching episode 14, he shares that while people are called to be whole, many still experience areas that feel incomplete. Using the parable of the lost coin from Bible (Luke 15), Brian turns the story into a practical...

In this episode of Walking Close, Living Changed , Brian Opbroek explores a rarely discussed struggle: how to live in peace after the storm. Using the image of a sailor who can't relax after surviving rough seas, he explains how many people stay stuck in survival mode—expecting chaos even when life has calmed. While most teachings focus on trusting God during hardship, Brian shifts the focus to wh...

In this episode, Brian wraps up his three-part series by focusing on giving—the third spiritual discipline from Matthew 6. After prayer and fasting, he explores how generosity is not just financial, but deeply spiritual. Brian explains that giving, like prayer and fasting, is meant to humble us and draw us closer to God—but it can easily become performative if done for recognition. Using Jesus' te...

In this episode, Brian continues exploring Jesus' teaching from Matthew 6 by focusing on the spiritual discipline of fasting. Just as Jesus said "when you pray," He also said "when you fast," showing that fasting is meant to be a normal part of a believer's life. Brian explains that fasting isn't about drawing attention to ourselves, but about humbling our hearts and focusing on God. He also clari...

Brian opens the episode by acknowledging how this might be a listener's first or tenth episode, then quickly moves into the central message: pray. Not just thinking about prayer or sending emojis—but actually opening your mouth, going to a quiet place, and talking to God. He references Matthew 6, where Jesus doesn't say "if you pray," but "when you pray," emphasizing that prayer is an assumed part...

In this episode, Pastor Brian Opbroek speaks to the inner turmoil many people live with and offers a simple but challenging truth: peace of mind is often just one decision away. Drawing from Scripture, personal counseling experiences, and powerful real-life examples, he explains how anxiety, restlessness, and mental torment are frequently rooted in delayed obedience—knowing what needs to be done b...

In "Mark Your Sacred Moments," Pastor Brian unpacks the biblical and personal importance of remembering what God has done in your life. Through examples from his own spiritual journey—like his first encounter with God, family rituals, and meaningful souvenirs—he encourages listeners to create markers, whether physical or symbolic, that anchor their faith. Drawing from stories like Noah's altar, Ja...

Pastor Brian dives deep into the radical paradox at the heart of the Gospel message—that in God's Kingdom, everything is flipped. Drawing from personal experiences and the teachings of Jesus, he explains how real strength is found in surrender, how brokenness often precedes breakthrough, and how the path to fullness often requires emptiness first. He challenges listeners to reevaluate their ideas...

Brian opens with a memory from 1998 when he was walking and praying in the woods. That day, a simple prayer came to his heart: "Father, I need Your presence, Your approval, and Your power." That prayer has stayed with him ever since and has become a foundational cry in his journey with God. He unpacks each word: Presence: More than goosebumps or feelings, God's presence means knowing He is with yo...

Pastor Brian follows up last week's theme on living your faith by exploring what it truly means to communicate it. Beginning in Acts 2, he reflects on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the miracle of the apostles speaking in the native tongues of people from every nation. But more than a linguistic event, he reveals it as a spiritual principle: when filled with the Holy Spirit, we gain the pow...

Brian opens with a heartfelt reflection on how frustrating it can be when we want others—especially those we love—to experience the same transformation we've had through faith in Jesus. Using the metaphor of sharing a favorite song with someone who doesn't "get it," he explores how timing, openness, and free will affect someone's journey toward belief. He walks through the story of the Apostle Pau...

Brian opens with an honest reflection on the power of speaking truth aloud—not just to others, but to ourselves and to God. He encourages listeners to carve out space for real, vulnerable conversation with God and reminds us that spiritual clarity often comes through simple presence, not performance. The episode centers around the question, "How do you see God?"—exploring how even faithful people...

Pastor Brian continues the conversation from Episode 1 about real transformation, illustrating that God's change isn't just gradual—it can happen in an instant. He shares a humorous story about a friend who shocked himself by cheering for the Eagles, highlighting how even small shifts in perspective can signify deeper internal change. Using scientific and historical analogies, he explains that whi...

In this heartfelt and introspective first episode, Pastor Brian Opbroek shares the inspiration behind launching his podcast. A recent conversation with a lifelong friend revealed the profound transformation that comes from truly walking with God—not just following religious principles, but allowing one's very spirit to be reshaped by divine love and wisdom. Pastor Brian reflects on his decades-lon...

In this short intro episode, Pastor Brian Opbroek shares the heart behind Walking Close, Living Changed. Born from his personal journey with God, this podcast is a space for honest conversation, Scripture-based teaching, and Spirit-led reflection—designed to help listeners draw closer to God and experience transformation from the inside out. Whether you're a long-time believer or just beginning to...