Arise and Abide

In this episode of Arise + Abide , Sally and Curtis reflect on Isaiah 7 and God's message to King Ahaz during a time of crisis. Despite Ahaz's idolatry and alliance with Assyria, God extends grace, urging him to stand firm in faith and even offering a sign of His deliverance. But Ahaz refuses, prompting Isaiah to deliver the prophetic sign of Immanuel—"God with us." Through this passage, Sally and...

In this episode of Arise+Abide, Curtis and Sally reflect on Psalm 119:153-160, a heartfelt plea for God's rescue grounded in love for His Word. As the psalmist cries out for help amidst suffering and betrayal, Curtis and Sally explore how obedience to God's commandments prepares us to turn to Him in our most desperate moments. The discussion draws connections to Jesus as our ultimate advocate and...

In this episode of Arise + Abide , Sally and Curtis dive into 2 Kings 16 and 2 Chronicles 28, exploring the reign of King Ahaz and Judah's deepening spiritual decline. Unlike his father Jotham, Ahaz chooses political strategy over faithful dependence on God—offering temple treasures to Assyria for protection and sacrificing his own sons in pagan rituals. As Judah suffers military defeat and moral...

In this episode of Rise and Abide , Curtis and Sally reflect on the deeply personal and vulnerable cries found in Psalm 119:145–152. The psalmist's desperate plea for rescue is not just a call for relief, but a heartfelt expression of devotion and trust in God's enduring truth. Curtis explores how adversity still finds us even in faithful obedience, while Sally shares how sleepless nights have bec...

In this episode of Arise + Abide , Curtis and Sally reflect on the transitional moment between kings in Judah and the powerful beginning of the prophet Micah's ministry. As King Jotham ascends the throne and seeks to walk in obedience, the underlying corruption and idolatry of the people remain unaddressed. The episode explores God's call to repentance through Micah's vivid and haunting vision of...

In this episode of Arise + Abide , Sally and Curtis reflect on Psalm 119:137–143, a passage that highlights the enduring righteousness and trustworthiness of God's Word. As they explore themes of pressure, indignation, and feeling insignificant, they point to the joy and peace that come from anchoring our lives in God's thoroughly tested promises. With connections to Isaiah 55 and 2 Corinthians 1,...

In this episode of Arise + Abide , Curtis and Sally explore Isaiah 6 alongside brief readings from 2 Kings 15 and 2 Chronicles 26, reflecting on the momentous beginning of Isaiah's ministry. As Isaiah encounters the holy presence of God, he is undone by the contrast between divine purity and human sin. Yet, with a burning coal, God cleanses Isaiah—transforming impurity into purity and calling him...

In this episode, Sally and Curtis reflect on Psalm 119:129-136, a passage filled with awe for God's word and sorrow over the world's disobedience. They explore the psalmist's deep longing for God's commands, the peace that comes from waiting on the Lord, and the tension between divine truth and the brokenness of the world. With references to John 14, James 1, and 1 John 4, the conversation draws o...

In this episode of Arise + Abide , Curtis and Sally reflect on 2 Kings 14:28–29 and 15:8–29, examining a turbulent period in Israel's history marked by assassinations, short reigns, and a refusal to turn from sin. As king after king follows the destructive example of Jeroboam, the nation spirals toward exile despite God's long-suffering patience and repeated warnings through prophets like Amos. Th...

In this episode of Arise + Abide , Curtis and Sally reflect on Psalm 119:121-128, the stanza labeled Ayin . The psalmist's plea—"My eyes strain to see your rescue"—resonates deeply with anyone who has waited on God's promises in hard times. The conversation explores the tension between crying out for justice and submitting to God's loving discipline. They discuss the importance of discernment, the...

In this episode of Arise + Abide , Curtis and Sally dive into Amos chapter 9, where the prophet receives a vision of the Lord standing beside the altar, declaring that judgment is inevitable and inescapable. As Curtis and Sally discuss, God's justice is thorough—reaching every hidden place—but His heart is ultimately set on restoration. They reflect on the humility needed to walk with God and the...

In this episode of Arise + Abide , Curtis and Sally reflect on Psalm 119:113–120 (Samekh), a passage that contrasts divided loyalties with wholehearted devotion to God's Word. They explore the psalmist's call to reject evil influences and cling to God's sustaining truth, emphasizing the need for spiritual discernment and unwavering faith. Through honest discussion, Curtis and Sally connect the psa...

In this episode of Arise+Abide, Sally and Curtis reflect on Psalm 119:105-112, the section marked Nun , exploring how God's Word serves as both light and lifeline in life's darkest and most uncertain moments. They discuss the imagery of walking through darkness and the necessity of divine guidance to avoid the traps set by the enemy. With insights from Deuteronomy and the Gospel of John, the conve...

In this episode of Arise and Abide , Curtis and Sally reflect on Amos 8 and the vision of a basket of ripe fruit, symbolizing that Israel is ripe for judgment. They explore God's patience through previous visions and the shift to final warning as Israel's injustices and spiritual apathy reach a breaking point. The discussion highlights how God sees the hidden sins of dishonest gain and empty relig...

In this episode of Arise + Abide , Curtis and Sally reflect on Psalm 119:97–104, a passage rich with the psalmist's love for God's Word. They explore the benefits of meditating on Scripture—gaining wisdom beyond enemies, teachers, and elders—and the joy of walking in obedience. Curtis highlights the continuity between Old and New Covenants, pointing to Jesus' teachings as the fulfillment and embod...

In this episode, Sally and Curtis explore Amos chapter 7, where God reveals three visions to the prophet Amos—locusts, fire, and a plumb line. These visions reflect the tension between God's mercy and justice, with Amos interceding for Israel and God twice relenting. But the third vision, the plumb line, signals that the time for judgment has come. The hosts discuss the significance of these visio...

In this episode of Arise+Abide , Sally and Curtis reflect on Psalm 119:89–96 and the powerful imagery of God's eternal word standing firm in heaven. They explore how the unchanging nature of God brings hope and sustains us through life's struggles. The discussion highlights the relevance of God's word across generations, the personal and rescuing nature of His commands, and how abiding in Him brin...

In this sobering episode, Sally and Curtis delve into Amos Chapter 6, where the prophet delivers a powerful warning against pride, luxury, and complacency. The hosts unpack God's condemnation of Israel's indulgence and injustice, highlighting how the nation's leaders ignored the suffering of others while reveling in comfort. Drawing connections to modern-day challenges, Sally and Curtis reflect on...

In this episode, Sally and Curtis reflect on Psalm 119:81–88, exploring the emotional and spiritual tension of waiting on God in seasons of hardship. They discuss the psalmist's honesty about feeling worn out and under attack, yet remaining faithful to God's Word. Through vivid imagery and personal insight, they draw parallels to the wilderness moments in our own lives, emphasizing the power of Sc...

In this episode of Arise+Abide , Curtis and Sally dive into Amos chapter 5, a powerful call to repentance from the prophet Amos. They explore God's deep sorrow over Israel's corruption and injustice, emphasizing His desire for His people to turn back to Him and live. Through poetic imagery and stark warnings, Amos conveys the inescapable nature of God's judgment—but also His ever-present mercy for...

In this episode of Arise+Abide , Sally and Curtis dive into Psalms 119:73-80, reflecting on the wisdom and comfort found in God's word. They discuss the importance of recognizing God as our creator, placing our hope in His promises, and living as a testimony of joy for others. Through personal insights and biblical references, they explore themes of discipline, justice, and the role of the Holy Sp...

In this episode of Arise+Abide , Curtis and Sally explore Amos Chapter 4, a powerful passage that highlights Israel's failure to learn from God's discipline. The hosts discuss how the prophet Amos delivers a strong rebuke to the wealthy elite of Samaria, calling out their complacency and misplaced confidence in their material security. Through a series of divine warnings—including famine, drought,...

In this episode of Arise+Abide , Curtis and Sally dive into Psalm 119:65-72 (Teth), reflecting on God's goodness, discipline, and the transformative power of His Word. They explore how suffering and discipline draw believers closer to God, shaping their faith journey and deepening their dependence on Him. Through personal insights and biblical wisdom, they discuss the importance of allowing God's...

In this episode of Arise+Abide , Sally and Curtis continue their study of the book of Amos, diving into chapter 3. The discussion explores God's judgment against Israel, highlighting how their spiritual rebellion and social injustice led to inevitable consequences. Amos paints a vivid picture of God as a roaring lion, calling His people to listen and recognize the seriousness of their sin. Sally a...

In this episode of Arise+Abide , Sally and Curtis dive into Psalm 119:57-64 (Heth), reflecting on the powerful declaration, "Lord, you are mine!" They explore themes of devotion, obedience, and self-reflection, discussing how anchoring oneself in God's Word helps navigate life's challenges. Curtis shares how adopting a practice of thanksgiving in the middle of the night has deepened his faith, whi...