Arms Upheld: Support in Life's Hard Battles

Happy New Year! And Happy Epiphany! We wrap up our look at the account of the first Christmas this week by spending some time with the wise men. After we are suited up in the Armor of God, Paul reminds us to pray continually, then emboldens us to proclaim the truth. The wise men did this. They entered Jerusalem asking about the new king for which they had come so far to see. Their mission was set...

This week typically has people reflecting back over the year and then setting their faces toward the next. As we look at being prayerfully alert, we visit with Simeon and Anna at the temple when Jeus is presented to the Lord. These two model for us abiding in Christ. Our prayer life plugs us into the Almighty, just as it did for them. This, in turn, fuels us to don the full armor of God. As we ref...

This week, I ask you to exercise your imagination as I propose a question: What if the helmet of salvation looks more like a crown? What would a crown mean to us? Would it remind us of our identity in Christ as a child of The King? We spend some special moments with Mary as her shimmering headwear becomes evident. And is that a sword glinting in her hand? We also visit a good amount of scripture....

This week we continue to armor up with the shoes of the gospel of peace and the shield of faith. We hang out with the shepherds and Joseph as they both receive messages of the gospel of peace and then step out in faith. We know the good news of the gospel that offers great joy and peace here on earth. This is all we need to be ready to move. As we believe God at His word, we can step forward into...

This week we step into the armor of God, beginning with the breastplate of righteousness and the belt of truth. We hang out with Zechariah and Elizabeth as they demonstrate truth and righteousness in the account of the first Christmas. Living life according to God's way helps guard our hearts, while the Holy Spirit reveals the truth, we need to stand firm. Listen to this week's addition...

As I was praying about a new lens in which to study the Christmas account this Advent season, God gave me Ephesians 6:10-20: The Armor of God. This week we begin our journey by unpacking why we need armor and delving into the spiritual realm through angelic encounters. These are prevalent as the world prepared for the coming of Christ. Angels walk on scene with Zechariah and Mary. They interrupt d...

Confession: I am a worrier. I worry about what’s going to happen. I worry about what’s already happened. I worry about what people think of me. I worry that they don’t…think of me. I worry about my family and critters. I worry because I fall into the thinking that it’s up to me, not Him. So how do I move from a place of worry to a place of peace? Philippians 4:6-7 imparts the wisdom we need to get...

Have you ever experienced a time when your safety was threatened? Have you ever had your security breached? When we are knocked off our feet. How do we find our footing? Is there any way to feel safe and secure again? Join us as we discover how David's words create a sphere of God's Presence, gladness, and life, with Jesus at the center and how this can restore our security. Bible verses...

As we find ourselves again in the season of fall, the idea of harvest presents itself. We may not all desire a harvest of corn or soybeans, but what about blessings? Galatians 6:9 tells us: So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we do not give up. This week we discuss this idea of persevering in the work of doing what is good. Lis...

Today, I feel weak. I'm tired. I'm worn out! What if this isn't the negative place we tend to think it is? What if this is exactly the place the power of God is highlighted? Join me this week as we look at two passages that address this idea of weakness. The words of Jesus may just lead you to the place where the human and the divine touch. And you may find some rest as well. ;) Bib...

Have you ever tried to make bread? It's not easy! After you gather the ingredients, the water must be just the right temperature for the yeast to work. After everything is combined in the correct order, the dough must be kneaded. After that there is at least one period of letting it sit to rise. Then comes the baking. Back in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve sinned. Part of the fall was the c...

I frequently fall into the trap of expectations. Who created them? What's their purpose? And how do I ever measure up? I don’t think God measures us against any expectations. God loves us as His children. He rejoices over us. He celebrates us. Join us for this reminder of how we measure up in the eyes of the Father. Bible verses referred to in this episode: Jeremiah 31:3 1 John 3:1 Proverbs 1...

My Bible reading in 1 Samuel linked me to a psalm that David wrote when Saul was sending a group of men after him. After reading Psalm 54 and reveling in the beauty, connecting it to my own life, and meditating on who God is, I noticed something. David changes perspective frequently in just 7 verses. This week we look at the 6-part structure of Psalm 54 and how we could use it in our own talks wit...

Elijah's blazing chariot ride to heaven in a whirlwind is a famous account of the Old Testament. Elijah certainly knows how to make an exit! What if this blazing sunset of Elijah's life on earth is a unique glimpse into a believer's transition from this life to eternity with Jesus. Join us as we sit with this idea and also ponder questions about our own legacy in our final lesson wi...

The final journey of Elijah takes him through a number of places in the promised land before he crosses over the Jordan river to head 'home.' As we have with all of the other parts of Elijah's journey, we find significance in his final leg for us as well. We all cycle through our Gilgals, Bethels,  and Jerichos. We also find ourselves crossing over into new realms. By remembering wh...

This week we step over into 2 Kings. Things have changed a bit. Ahab has died and his son, Ahaziah, now reigns as king. You can imagine that this isn't quite a step in the right direction for Israel. We open with Ahaziah injured and wondering if he will survive. He commands messengers to embark on a quest to discover his fate. The Lord cuts their journey short with the truth delivered through...

Time outs are breaks to pull back from what's going on to regroup. Not always disciplinary, time outs offer us a time to rest. Jesus rested. God rested on the seventh day. If we are following the model of Christ and living according to God's ways, rest should be common practice. Is it? It's not in my life. Sometimes God has to force me to rest. Like He did this week. Listen and find...

King Ahab comes face to face with Elijah, his enemy. Or the representative of his enemy, God, Himself. Elijah speaks truth to Ahab and reports the judgments God will carry out against him. How do we respond when we come face to face with our sins? Surprisingly, King Ahab challenges us to humble ourselves and repent. A most unlikely teacher inspires us to listen and hear the truth God speaks to us....

Today we pick back up with Elijah. He departs the mountain of God intent on completing his mission of anointing his replacement. Elijah walks on scene, casts his cloak on Elisha, and moves on. Once again, we find Elijah trusting God to do what He's promised. Elijah may not be as trustworthy. Is Elijah disqualified from serving the Lord because he passes the other missions onto his new assista...

We interrupt your regularly scheduled program... This week God hijacked the 'Summer with Elijah' with a message of love. It's the most important thing. This week we listen to the words of A. W. Tozer and Sally Lloyd-Jones, but most importantly the words of Jesus. As we listen, may we hear the heart of God and give Him ours. Bible verses referred to in this episode: 1 John 4:7 John 1...

Elijah has spent the night in a cave on the mount of God. God asks Elijah a question, "What are you doing here?" Perhaps He is asking us as well. He already knows the answers, but there is something in it for us in discovering the answer. Elijah's answer reveals his perspective and emotional state. Shifting blame and believing lies are experiences common to us all. Still the Lord lo...

Fear has stolen Elijah's peace and we find him this week sleeping under a broom tree alone in the wilderness. Well, not entirely alone. God is with him. God ministers to Elijah through rest, food and water, and a supernatural touch. By attending his physical and spiritual needs, he works to restore Elijah's soul. This unconventional strategy may just be useful for us today! Listen in to...

This week, the nation of Israel finally sees rain, but instead of revelry and celebration, Elijah finds himself in fear for his life. The people have returned to God, the false prophets defeated, and now Elijah faces his biggest opponent yet, Jezebel. When he hears she is out to kill him, he hightails it out of Jezreel. Elijah exchanged his confidence for fear and finds himself alone in the wilder...

 We pick up with Elijah in silence on Mt. Carmel God has brought him to this climatic moment as a way to reach his people.  As the prophets of Baal dance and shout, Elijah's confidence remains grounded in his faith in the Lord.  In contrast to Baal's silence, the fire of the Lord flashes down from heaven and burns up not only the sacrifice and altar, but the water it was drenched in.  As...

 In Elijah's time, the world was full of confusion, chaos, lack, and evil. He asks the question, “What do you believe?” We live in the same world today. We experience confusion, chaos, lack, and evil. The question lingers for us as well. Let's make sure what we believe is grounded in truth. We find Truth in Elohim. We can check His Word. We can seek His wisdom. And we can listen to the S...