ALC Daily Podcast

-Jacob was obeying the Lord to go back to Bethel, then tragedy: “Leaving Bethel, Jacob and his clan moved on toward Ephrath. But Rachel went into labor while they were still some distance away. Her labor pains were intense. After a very hard delivery, the midwife finally exclaimed, “Don’t be afraid—you have another son!” Rachel was about to die, but with her last breath she named the baby Ben-oni...

“Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me stink to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites. My numbers are few, and if they gather themselves against me and attack me, I shall be destroyed, both I and my household.” But they said, “Should he treat our sister like a prostitute?”  - Genesis 34:30-31 ESV

“And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Ja...

“...and said to them, “I see that your father does not regard me with favor as he did before. But the God of my father has been with me. You know that I have served your father with all my strength, yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me.”  - Genesis 31:5-7 ESV

“And Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two female servants. He himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.” - Genesis 33:1,...

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."  - Romans 12:1-2

"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. My soul is cast down within me..." - Psalm 42:5-6

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life."  - Proverbs 13:12

"Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. " - Proverbs 12:25

"Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  - Nehemiah 8:10

Luke 4: In Nazareth, Jesus announced His mission. How does this affect the way you think about the gospel and your mission?

Luke 4: How did Jesus respond to temptation, and how does that affect the way you respond?

Genesis 8: What was God’s covenant with Noah, and what does it mean for us?

Genesis 7: What did God see in Noah that He found him “righteous in this generation?”

Recording your thoughts is a great way to reflect on and remember what Jesus is showing you each day. There’s no right (or wrong!) way to journal, but SOAP is one helpful format: Scripture: Choose one verse or passage Observation: What is it communicating Application: How can you apply this to your life Prayer: Ask for God’s help to change

Genesis 3: Is innocence better than knowledge? Why or why not? What is the significance of what God said to the serpent? To Adam and Eve? What do you learn about God through His reaction to Adam, Eve, and the serpent? More Jesus Reading Plan (Season 1): Day 2 • Devotional

Luke 1: What limitation made Zechariah hesitate to believe the angel’s message? What things in your life cause you to hesitate to believe? More Jesus Reading Plan (Season 1): Day 1 • Devotional

Psalm 1: In what ways are the righteous and wicked contrasted? More Jesus Reading Plan (Season 1): Day 1 • Devotional

Genesis 2: What about a relationship with God made Adam and Eve feel no shame?  More Jesus Reading Plan (Season 1): Day 1 • Devotional

Genesis 1: What does it mean to be created in the image of God?  More Jesus Reading Plan (Season 1): Day 1 • Devotional

"And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her." - Luke 1:38 ESV

“And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” - Luke 1:36-37 ESV Application: God can use you to accomplish His plan!

“And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God.” - Luke 1:34-35 ESV Application: Wisdom will come through small groups! 

“And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end...

“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”   - Luke 1:26-28 ESV Application: Simple obedience.