Spark Podcast

Here is my shortest podcast at 15 minutes!  In this episode, I give a quick glance at my year and I let my reading of the gospel of John do some speaking to that.  I end with a short conversation on Thanksgiving and explain the wrapping up of the podcast. Thanks for following!  Thanks for listening!  & leave me a message through any of the contact links if you would like! Take care!

Jesus feeds a crowd of 5000 and after declares Himself to be the Bread of Life.  The disciples and the crowd both seem to have conflicts with this miracle and Jesus faces them both in conversation.   10 minutes: Podcasting update & my journey in the development of this episode   Title: "Eating Jesus" 54 minutes: >Dangers of bread Jesus is the Bread of Life. 1. Counting the cost with the disciples...

Intermission:     Hymns: Sing Hallelujah to the Lord, Amazing Grace   I'm experimenting with music and recording and podcasting equipment as I wait on God for plans to be revealed for the upcoming season and days.  I did not spend a lot of time practicing these but this does introduce my 23 year old keyboard which hasn't had much use.  It is a very different feel from a modern day concert keyboard...

A man encounters Jesus twice.  First on the Sabbath and then in the temple.  Through his encounter with Jesus his resolutions are met! Season 6, Episode 7 Adapted from Lifeway Lesson Titled: "Resolutions" Text: John 5:1-15       Date: Jan 15, 2023, recorded January 14 and edited January 15-17. Place: a private and freely provided temporary studio in Texas Notes: I am working with my own exegetical...

 Jesus speaks with a Samaritan woman and offers her living water while trying to get water for himself at a well in Samaria. Season 6, Episode 6  Adapted from Lifeway Lesson Titled: "But Whoever Drinks" Text: John 4:11-26       Date: Jan 8, 2023, recorded & edited Jan 9 & 10 Place: a private and freely provided temporary studio in Texas Notes: I am working with my own exegetical work and a lifeway...

  Jesus speaks with Nicodemus, a Jewish teacher of the law.  Nicodemus doesn't understand salvation and Jesus tells him he must be born again. He explains new birth by drawing on the illustrations of wind and of a story from the Old Testament that Nicodemus would be familiar with.  Many people have a legalistic understanding of salvation (like Nicodemus) but salvation is for all people and comes o...

Jesus gives the first sign at Cana at a wedding.  Then John addresses the temple cleansing in which the Jews demand a sign and in doing so they miss what Jesus has spoken about Himself.  God is looking for worshipers and revealing Himself as Son of God to the disciples and to those worshipers ready to hear the gospel.   Season 6, Episode 3 Adapted from Lifeway Lesson Titled: "I Will Raise" Text: J...

Four disciples are called to discipleship.  Two of the four seek out another person who is given an opportunity to encounter Jesus.  Disciples 3 and 4 which are sought out by the first two also both encounter Jesus and 1 of them faces personal conflicts with the belief that Jesus is the Messiah.  As we begin to understand who Jesus is, He is able to impact our life and we are motivated to follow H...

John begins his gospel much different than the other 3 gospel writers.   John places Jesus' beginning within the context of eternity and recognizes Jesus as the Word who is Creator.  The Word is Light and Life.  He is God who put on human flesh but was rejected by man.  Those who receive the Word become God's children. Season 6, Episode 1 Adapted from Lifeway Lesson Titled: "In The Beginning" Text...

Many times when we wait, we get lost in the waiting and we get hurt when the waiting does not produce the outcome we want.  God wants us to forgive and to hold on to the salvation that He freely gives us!  Micah concludes his book by stating that he found no godly relationships and fruit among the people.  After describing the broken relationships that had devastated the people, Micah begins to de...

God's chosen people are abandoned because of their sin.  From the abandoned people comes a remnant and a king established by God to rule.  God gathers the remnant and uses them to bless and destroy and they will conquer their enemies.  Though Jerusalem suffers, Christ will return and gather His people to establish His kingdom (the New Jerusalem). Season 5, Episode 12 Adapted from Lifeway Lesson Ti...

God is angry with the leaders, prophets, priests, and rulers of Israel.  They have become corrupt in their ways and the Lord hides his face from them as their deeds become disgraceful and shameful.  The leadership is filled with darkness, war, and a lust for money that leads to the destruction of Jerusalem.  The Spirit is on Micah and he prophesies in the Spirit proclaiming justice and judgment. S...

God calls Israel to repent one final time.  Hosea preaches that repentance involves forgiveness, grace, and renunciation of sin.  God's love for Israel is like various types of plants that produce good things.  Returning to God is wise and will lead to restoration and blessing, not idolatry.     Season 5, Episode 10 Adapted from Lifeway Lesson Titled: "The Restoration Promised" Text: Hosea 14:1-9 ...

Israel mourns because their object of worship, a calf-idol, was stolen from them and taken to Assyria.  Destruction is going to come upon Israel because of their refusal to repent.  They are going to face the consequences for their sin.  If they had repented, life would have been different but since they did not they would face battle, the destruction of their fortresses, and the death of their ki...

God is a lion and Israel is his prey.  He tears Israel apart as prey and carries her to his lair.  Israel is sinful and Hosea calls Israel to go back to God.  Israel is to return to God, demonstrate loyalty, and face judgment. Podcast details: Season 5, Episode 8 Adapted from Lifeway Lesson Titled: "The Hollow Promises" Text: Hosea 6:1-7:2        Date: October 23, 2022, edited October 23       Pla...

God commands Hosea to take Gomer to be his wife despite her unfaithfulness.  In this true story which took place in the 8th century, Hosea demonstrates God's love to Gomer in the same way that God demonstrates His love toward Israel despite her unfaithfulness.  God is a God of restoration and desires both Gomer and Israel to return to God. Podcast details: Season 5, Episode 7 Adapted from Lifeway...

Jonah finishes preaching to Nineveh. They all repent and God relents in sending calamity.  Jonah sets up camp outside east of the city because he wants to watch destruction come upon the city.  As he realizes the response of the city and God's response also, he becomes angry and does not show any compassion toward Nineveh but instead he becomes depressed and wants to die. Podcast details: Season 5...

God called Jonah to go to Nineveh but he takes a boat to Tarshish instead.  He gets thrown out of the boat and then swallowed by a great big fish.  From in the fish, Jonah prays to the Lord for help and the Lord rescues him. Podcast details: Season 5, Episode 5 Adapted from Lifeway Lesson Titled: "Hope in God" Text: Jonah 1:15-2:10        Date: October 2, 2022, edited October 4th        Place: Fir...

Amos pronounces God's judgement on Israel.  They are going to be destroyed but a remnant of Israel who turns to God will be saved.  Amos describes the destruction that Israel will soon face and he describes the salvation that the remnant will obtain.  David's shelter will be rebuilt and restored according to God's plan! Podcast details: Season 5, Episode 4 Adapted from Lifeway Lesson Titled: "Hope...

After God pronounced judgement on Israel, Israel is given a chance to turn back to God.  God tells them what their offenses are.  He tells Israel that those that seek the Lord will live but destruction will come upon those that persist in wrong doing.  God desires that a remnant will be saved by seeking Him. Podcast details: Season 5, Episode 3 Adapted from Lifeway Lesson Titled: "Seek God" Text:...

Again, Amos declares God's judgment is coming on faithless Israel.  God sent 5 calamities on Israel with the purpose that they would repent and turn to God.  Each calamity shows that Israel refuses to listen to God and God says repeatedly of Israel, "Yet, you have not returned to me."  They would bear the consequences of their sin as God begins to call them to accountability and to prepare to meet...

In Amos's 7th and 8th oracles, he denounces Judah and then Israel for the sin they have committed.  God has delivered Israel in the past but Israel continues to be unfaithful and to fight against God.  Amos sounds warning and destruction will come upon those who do not listen.   Podcast details: Season 5, Episode 1 Adapted from Lifeway Lesson Titled: "Listen to God" Text: Amos 2:4-16         Date:...

Hilkiah finds the book of the law in the temple while it is being repaired and it is read to Josiah who reacts with deep emotion.  Josiah realizes God's anger and sends a delegation to inquire of the Lord through the prophetess Huldah.  Will the Lord's anger burn against the people forever?   Podcast details: Season 4, Episode 13 Adapted from Lifeway Lesson Titled: "God moves" Text: 2 Kings 22:8-2...

Sennacherib threatens to attack Jerusalem in what would have been the destruction of the Southern Kingdom.  Hezekiah goes to the Lord in prayer and receives a message from the Lord through Isaiah that is full of hope.  He is not to fear Sennacherib because God would deliver Hezekiah and Jerusalem out of his hand. Podcast details: Season 4, Episode 12 Adapted from Lifeway Lesson Titled: "God hears"...

Summary: The Northern Kingdom is destroyed when Assyria captures Samaria and takes them into exile.  The things that Israel did wrong led to their exile and destruction. Podcast details: Season 4, Episode 11 Adapted from Lifeway Lesson Titled: "God judges" Text: 2 Kings 17:7-20          Date: August 14, 2022         Place: First Baptist Church, Class: Adult 1 City: Beeville, Texas Illustrations: e...