Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus Podcast

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 382, “Turning Points in History,” Kim discusses how turning points in history affect us, whether they be personal turning points or those of nations. In today’s text, we see a turning point in the history of the nation of Israel: the fall of Jerusalem. God had consistently sent His prophets, especially Jeremiah, to warn the people of the consequences they would expe...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 381, “Defining Moment vs. Moment of Defiance,” Kim discusses the similarities and differences between King Zedekiah of Judah and Samson. Both leaders had opportunities in the midst of great adversity to cry out to God, but only one used his voice to beg God to intervene. What became a defining moment for Samson was only one last moment of defiance for Zedekiah, and...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 380, “The Prophet Nobody Wanted to Hear,” Kim discusses the faithfulness of the Prophet Jeremiah through the final years of the downfall of the Southern Kingdom. Some days, he tunneled in and had a pity party, but he always returned to steady faithfulness, despite the opposition.   Our focal passage for this episode is Jeremiah 1:4-10; 7:1-15, 28; 9:1; 25:3-7; 38:1-...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 379, “Refusing to Humble Oneself,” Kim discusses the last king of Judah and some lessons listeners can learn from his bad choices. This is the first in a mini-series on the Fall of Jerusalem and the insights we can glean from what led to its consequences. Sadly, Zedekiah seemed like a fitting king to be on the throne as the last bits of the once God-fearing nation a...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 378, “Stone Cold Response to the Word of the Lord,” Kim discusses the dangers of allowing our hearts to be hardened to God’s Word. Recently, we examined the tender heart of King Josiah and how hearing God’s Word changed him and how he led. This week, we see that his son Jehoiakim’s heart was as hard as Josiah’s was tender. How tender or hard is your heart to God’s W...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 377, “God Can Speak in Unexpected Ways,” Kim discusses the dangers of Christ-followers trying to limit how the Lord can speak to them. We see that in today’s scriptures as King Josiah refuses to believe God would be speaking through an enemy king, and it cost him his life. May our daily life theme be, “Speak, your servant is listening,” with no limits on the when or...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 376, “When Kindness & Generosity Flow,” Kim discusses the natural flow of encouragement, kindness, and generosity we see in the celebration of the Passover described in today’s scripture passage. Today, what automatically flows from your life?   Our focal passage for this episode is 2 Chronicles 35:1-19, and with 14-15 as the focal verses:   14 Afterward the Lev...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 375, “Choosing to Respond to God’s Word,” Kim discusses the importance of surrendering to the power of God’s Word to change you. So many times, we approach God’s Word without opening our hearts and minds to be changed by what we find there. May we learn from the example of King Josiah as he reacted to the initial reading of God’s Word and then went on to publicly re...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 374, “Who’s Your Huldah? Say What?” Kim discusses the importance of being very careful who you trust with spiritual questions and in better understanding the scriptures. Who do you go to? Does anyone come to you? Remember, the Holy Spirit is the greatest teacher of the scriptures, and you need to begin your quest with Him.   Our focal passage for this episode is 2 C...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 373, “God’s Word Transforms,” Kim discusses the biblical story about the time God’s Word was “found.” The Word that was to be their guide for daily life had been relegated to a hidden spot in the Temple, and due to King Josiah’s restoration orders, the missing Book of the Law resurfaced. Kim shares how this same issue can happen in our lives today and encourages lis...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 372, “Never Discount the Impact of Your Talents,” Kim discusses the talents each of us have been given and our accountability to use them all to the glory of the Lord. In today’s lesson, Kim uses the focal text, as well as other scriptures, to remind listeners that ALL talents are important and each of our talents should be dedicated to the Lord.   Our focal passage...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 371, “When Did You Begin to Seek God?” Kim discusses the timeline of young King Josiah’s spiritual life and growth. As we examine the early years of the king’s reign, Kim challenges listeners to reflect on their own spiritual timelines.   Our focal passage for this episode is 2 Chronicles 34:1-9, and with 3 as the focal verse:   During the eighth year of his reign,...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 370, “We Can’t Determine What Another Imitates,” Kim discusses the importance of choosing our actions and attitudes wisely. Others are watching our lives and may be imitating our attitudes and actions. If that is so, what would you want them to imitate, and what would you prefer they ignore? In today’s story, King Amon followed the example of his father, King Manass...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 369, “For All Who Think They Are Too Far Gone,” Kim discusses King Manasseh and the miraculous turn his life took. He went from leading others down one of the darkest paths imaginable to humbly surrendering to the Lord. If Manasseh, with his massive list of sinful behavior, could hear the Lord speak and turn to Him, you are not too far gone.   Our focal passage for...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 368, “Getting More Is Not Always a Good Thing,” Kim discusses the deeply dark period of time in the Southern Kingdom of Judah during the reign of King Manasseh. To go from the God-honoring reign of Hezekiah to the long, evil reign of his son Manasseh must have been a bit of cultural whiplash. Sadly, the reforms Hezekiah had made did not withstand his son’s persisten...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 367, “You Can Bid on This Showcase,” Kim discusses the dangers of mistaken objects and people as our property instead of as ours to steward for the Lord. In today’s scriptures, King Hezekiah looked as though he were the host of the ancient version of the game show “The Price Is Right.” He had moved from being grateful for all the Lord had placed in his path to actin...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 366, “Proper Response to a Move of God,” Kim discusses the multiple movements of God that King Hezekiah experienced and how we can learn from his response. During the first part of his reign, Hezekiah saw God move in his people and on their behalf, and Hezekiah consistently pointed the people to God and gave him glory. Yet, sadly, as time went on, instead of using w...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 365, “Time Truly Is in God’s Hands,” Kim discusses the request of King Hezekiah for more time. Hezekiah was approached by the prophet Isaiah and told he was going to die and to get his affairs in order. Hezekiah did not panic but immediately turned to the Lord and poured out his pain and preference. The Lord chose to provide a miracle of more time, but also a miracl...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 364, “Crying Out in Prayer to God,” Kim discusses the incident in 2 Chronicles 32:20 when King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah cried out to the Lord on behalf of the people of Judah. We all encounter times of extreme danger, pain, and concern, when a guttural cry is the only kind of prayer we can utter. Kim shares multiple scriptures she prays in times of crisis.  ...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 363, “Idols I Need to Smash,” Kim discusses how when someone meets with the Lord, they cannot remain the same. In today’s primary text, the people of Judah and some from Israel had celebrated the Passover for the first time in their lifetimes. Immediately, they smashed multiple different idols. When the prophet Isaiah saw the Lord, he immediately saw how sinful he a...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 362, “Please Give Us One Heart to Obey,” Kim discusses the latest invitation King Hezekiah sent out to call, not only the people of the Southern Kingdom, but also anyone left in the Northern Kingdom to come home and worship the Lord. Many laughed at the invitation, but some humbled themselves and came. For those who answered the invitation, the Lord gave “them all o...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 361, “Restored to Service,” Kim discusses the dedication of the Temple as described in 2 Chronicles 7 and the path that led to the rededication in 2 Chronicles 29. God knew the people would not stay 100% on fire for him and he gave Solomon a restoration plan from the beginning: 14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek m...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 360, “When You Are Really Serious about Doing Right,” Kim discusses the measures you may want to take if you want to commit to the Lord stick. King Hezekiah walked into an absolute mess, and he set out to right the proverbial ship. He wanted to renew the people side of the covenant with the Lord. Kim also looks at when Joshua challenged the Israelites' commitment to...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 359, “Just, How Did We Get Here?” Kim discusses the importance of periodically assessing where you are in your life and the decisions and events that led you to today. As King Hezekiah began to lead the Southern Kingdom of Israel, he immediately sought to repair the relationship of the people to God. Then, he took a moment to reflect on the poor decisions their ance...

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 358, “Clean Up, Everybody Clean Up,” Kim discusses the transition of the Southern Kingdom to the leadership of King Hezekiah. Hezekiah took over the mantle of leadership during an especially dark spiritual time. There are lessons to be learned from where he began cleaning up the mess to rebuild that can be applied to our spiritual lives.   Our focal passage for this...