Rooted Together

The Song of Songs is an often ignored book. This is will mark the first time that I have read through this book. I look forward to what God will say as we seek to understand how godly relationships look like and how our own relationship with God should look like. I will also be introducing the interpretive tool I will be using through the book.  #songofsongs #oldtestament #bible #god #relatio...

It's time to reflect on 2020, the good, the bad, and how great our God is.   #yearinreview #2020 #podcast #bible #God #Jesus 

Nehemiah concludes with a longing for true spiritual cleansing. We see that the people of Judah have once again fallen into sin. We also find ourselves with unholy alliances and allowing people who are outside of the kingdom of God to influence our worship. Nehemiah is a shadow of a greater cleansing and a need for hope beyond human effort. We need a Savior that is both God and man! We need Jesus!...

People often ask, if there is any grace in the Old Testament. My response is always, it's everywhere if you've read it. In chapter 9 Nehemiah summarizes the grace of God throughout the Old Testament narrative. Two things become apparent: One, God is beyond gracious. Two, we are sinners even in light of God's grace.  #oldtestament #nehemiah #bible 

God's word is a balm to our aching hearts. In this chapter, we look at the beauty and importance of reading the Bible!  #OldTestament #Nehemiah #bible 

I love the Christmas song Silent Night, but I have to ask, was it, though? We will explore the shepherds' account and ask if it was a silent night or a night full of glorifying and praising God and what that says about our worship around Christmas! #advent #Christmas #podcast #silentnight

Nehemiah now faces something we all face, opposition, and obstacles in life and ministry. Listen and read as Nehemiah responses to internal opposition and external opposition. 

Listen as we prepare our hearts for Christmas this Advent season. Set your heart on Christ!  #advent #Christmas 

The people of Judah are struggling to keep rebuilding as they endure mockery, jeering, and threats of violence. What will we do and how do we respond when we face the same thing? 

Nehemiah displays a lifestyle of prayer as he approaching the king with what God has laid on his heart to do. 

Nehemiah's prayer in chapter 1 is the result of time spent in the Word of God. 

Listen as we wrap up the book of Ezra. We revisit themes like Mighty worldly leaders bow to God's will, Opposition can't withstand the wave of God's will, Sin cannot frustrate God, He leads his people to repentance, and God will win, no God has won!

As we conclude the book of Ezra, Ezra is made aware of a problem within the people of God. They had allowed foreign beliefs to invade their homes and their worship. The very act that led to their banishment has now reemerged in their return. How will Ezra respond? How will the people of God respond? How we will respond when we are faced with our own sin and sin in the church? 

What does it look like to seek God first? It looks a lot like what we see in Ezra chapter 8. Join me as we journey through Ezra 8. 

What does it look like to be a follower of Jesus? We see the answer clearly even in Ezra as Ezra describes himself as a man who has set his heart on the study of the Word, doing it and teaching it.

God sits as king over all history, world events, and nature. We can truly trust in Him alone for salvation! 

Don't stop doing what God has called you to do even when opposition arises. 

The people return to Jerusalem as one to worship God and be reminded of the reason they have come back. Chapter 3 is a time of worship and calling. Leaders arise at the call of God to stir the people. The chapter ends with the people of the land hearing the worship of the people of God far away setting up a confrontation in chapters 4-6. 

One of the major themes of the book of Ezra is that God honors and fulfills the promises that he makes. He promised the exiles they would return and they did, he promised he would send a savior and He did, He promised to come back and He will.

Here is a brief introduction to the book of Ezra, context, themes, and issues. 

God destroys those who revel in sin and offers hope to those who seek Him. Chapter 4 shows the destruction our sin causes and so does much of chapter 5. The conclusion of the Lament is a hope that God has a plan and a future. For us that is Christ. What hope! 

What is our only hope in this world? Jeremiah gives his answer as a man of sorrows. His hope, only hope, is in God and His steadfast love! 

We often try to minimize our sin. We also often treat God as though He is a fluffy loveable puppy who exists for our happiness. However, our sin is wretched before God and warrants the wrath of God. God is not a fluffy puppy but a mighty lion. He is gracious but will pour out wrath so powerful it would destroy all in its range. 

In this episode we conclude the gospel of Mark with the unusual commission to go therefore. 

This is a brief introduction to the book of Lamentations and introduces the new format for the podcast. The new format is about 10 to 15-minute reflection on the section that is being studied. This will be how the podcast will sound from now on. I'm aiming at shorter and more focused episodes. So here is one that sets our hearts on the task of lamenting over our sin.