Live Like It's True {Bible Podcast}

Why God? I don't understand why you're doing this?  Have you ever cried out to God with a prayer like this? Last time we talked with Carol Kent about that horrifying day she got the unthinkable news that her son was being arrested for first degree murder. We talked about, "When God Says You Must Lay Down Your Isaac," and compared Carol's experience to Abraham's—when h...

Have you ever been tested by God? Has he asked you to lay down someone or something that is precious to you, just like he asked Abraham to place Isaac on the altar?  In this episode of Live Like It's True, Carol Kent tells her painful story of laying her precious son on the altar, before the Lord. Learn how to respond in faith when God asks you for everything, even when it makes no sense. Gue...

What if God eavesdropped on your heart? Would he hear you sighing and scoffing about impossible situations? Would he see you rolling your eyes at the idea things could change? In this conversation with Hope Blanton and Chris Gordon on the Live Like It's True Podcast, we're discussing the day God came to lunch at Sarah's table, and inviting her to be vulnerable and take a great leap...

God is in control. We say that, but sometimes it's hard to believe it with the whole world seems to be coming unhinged. In this episode of Live Like It's True I'm talking with military spouse, Beth Runkle, about a section of Sarah's story that is hard to read. Abram has put Sarai in a vulnerable position and she's taken by Pharaoh into his harem where she remains for month...

Have you considered the magnitude of God's promises to you? Has your life been shaped by those promises, the way Abraham and Sarah's were?  I'm so grateful for Courtney Doctor and her brilliant mind. Don't miss part one of this great conversation. This time, we're talking about all of the surprises tucked into the origin story of God's people.  Guest: Courtney Doctor...

When Courtney was in her early twenties, she was in a church membership class, where the gospel was being explained and she kept raising her hand, saying, "I chose God. I know; I was there..." Can you relate with the sense that you were the one who chose God? What if your story is actually one of God taking the initiative? And what if that was actually really good news?  I'm so grat...

If you don't know what to do because your husband doesn't seem to love you anymore, and you're worried your marriage is dead, this conversation about what God did in my friend Jill's marriage offers so much hope. Jill Savage is an author and speaker, and she and her husband Mark do marriage coaching—which might surprise you if you heard part one of our conversation, titled, “ W...

She never expected what she saw on his phone that night. And no one expected the surprise ending to their story.  Joining me on the Live Like It's True podcast, Jill Savage tells her story of discovering her husband's affair, and how God sustained her through a very difficult season. This is part one of a two-part conversation of redemption and hope.  I shared part of Jill's story i...

When Sana when through the trauma of almost losing her nineteen-year-old son in a car crash, she did the unexpected: she shared the forty-three day experience on social media and asked the world to pray that God would do the impossible. Why? Because—as she says—then, "Everyone will know it was God." In part two of this conversation with Sana Latrease, I know you'll be inspired by th...

Where was God, when a little girl was being trafficked by the mother who should have kept her safe? On the Live Like It's True podcast, I'm talking Sana Latrease to talk about her story of God's faithfulness, even in the middle of her childhood trauma. This isn't the story Sana would have written, but it's the story God wrote for her. Also check out my Bible study on the l...

At age 27, Gaby's cancer treatment are narrowing her options for one day having children. Yet Gaby walks this painful path between her trial and God's promises with perspective and hope. She shares her story in my latest episode on the Live Like it's True podcast.  Gaby's story is also highlighted in my new Bible study, Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear...

Would you ask your twelve-year-old to bravely live her faith, in a time of crisis? In part two of our conversation, Heather Cofer shares the story of her twelfth birthday in Mongolia and how—even when she was so afraid—her dad commissioned her to walk by faith. She also tells about the crisis her husband's family (also missionaries in Mongolia) faced. Heather's story is highlighted in my...

Have you been comparing yourself? Are you envious of someone God has treated "better" than you? In a story about envious grumblers who are comparing, Jesus invites you to be one of the happy ones instead. Guests: Melissa Kruger Bible Passage: Laborers in the Vineyard - Matthew 20:1-16 ESV Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook Mentioned Resources:  The Envy of Eve by Mel...

What if God asked you to leave everything you love? Would you do it? Heather Cofer talks about her experiences as a child in Mongolia which still shape her life today. Heather's story is highlighted in my new Bible study, Shaped by God's Promises: Lessons from Sarah on Fear and Faith. Whether you're here because you're reading that book, or you're a regular listener, I hop...

Why does she have more? Why do I have less? And what does Jesus say, when I want what's fair? In this episode of the Live Like It's True Podcast, we're looking at a story Jesus told in response to these very questions—the parable about the bigger barns.   I'm so honored to have Lydia Brownback, author of the Flourish Bible Studies, joining me for this conversation.  Listen in a...

Have you ever felt unworthy, because of your sin? Or have you every tried to comfort yourself by comparing with someone who sinned in worse ways that you? In this series, we're looking at comparison stories that Jesus told, and this one is a story about comparing sin. But it's a story with a twist that might surprise you in the best way—especially if you're the one feeling unworthy....

"Which of us is the greatest, Jesus?" Jesus's response to the disciples might surprise you, but it also might bright you comfort and peace. There's a foolproof way to be great in the kingdom of God, and it's backward from the way of the world. Want to learn the secret? Join Kelly Needham and I on the Live Like It's True Podcast, as we talk about Jesus's illustrat...

What if Jesus could read your thoughts about other people's sins? And what about your own sins? Do you have shameful secrets that seem too awful to even confess? In this episode, we're going to consider a story Jesus told at a dinner party where someone was comparing sin. It's a story that exposes our false narratives about sin, and invites us into a beautiful story of forgiveness....

What would Jesus say about your efforts to get healthy? When you wake up in the morning, is your first thought about what you ate the night before? Has your lifelong obsession been to finally like what you see in the mirror? With the launch of Comparison Girl for Teens, I've invited a number of guests to join me on the Live Like It's True podcast, to talk through various ways we tend to...

When a teen walks into a room, statistics show that there's an 80% chance she believes she doesn't belong there. She wonders, Am I okay? What are they thinking? How do I measure up?  In our new book, Comparison Girl for Teens we're inviting teens to find new freedom, confidence and true influence in the middle of a world that compares. Guest: Lee Nienhuis Bible Passage: What Did Jes...

Refugees. Trafficking victims. Addicts. Adoption. Homeless. When faced with opportunities to show extravagant mercy, we think, But what if I go into debt?  This could be a trap.  If I bring her into my home, will we be safe?  What if there's corruption?  Yet what sounds like the voice of wisdom, is actually the voice of fear. I'm joined by Amy DiMarcangelo for a conversation about a man...

Do you long to pass on your faith to your children, grandchildren, nieces and neighbors? How can you disciple the children you love in on-the-go moments of life? The stories in the Bible are simple enough to be grasped by children, yet profound enough for adults to spend their lives pondering.   In this bonus episode on the Live Like It's True podcast, my guest Trillia Newbell shares about he...

What is your weakness, and what does God think about it? Join Emily Jensen and me for a conversation about ineloquent Moses and his assignment from God that felt impossible. Learn how to live like it's true that your weakness isn't a problem for God.   Guest: Emily Jensen  Bible Passage: Moses Given Powerful Signs - Exodus 4:10-17 Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook M...

Hey, it's Shannon for a quick update on what's next in 2024. I have several exciting things to announce, plus the roadmap for what's coming in the coming months.  We're welcoming Emily Jensen, Trillia Newbell, and Amy DiMarcangelo for our J-Term Series! Get updates from Shannon: Here Get your Freebie: The Live Like It's True Workbook Resound Media Transcript Music: Cade Po...

Why, God? Why haven't you shown up for me? If you love me, God, how could you let this happen to me?   In today's episode, we're going to invite you to bring questions like these straight to Jesus. And I think you might be surprised by the answers to these questions, embedded in the story from John 11 that we're going to look at.     Guest: Vaneetha Risner Bible Passage: The St...