God-besotted Podcast

If you take one look at today’s news headlines, it’s likely that right now, peace seems like a pipe dream. But does Jesus call us to an impossible task in Matthew 5:9 when He says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God”?  Tune in to this episode to unpack the seventh beatitude, a call to imitate our God of peace as people of peace—which is Jesus’ deep desire for His Ch...

Who are you, truly? What does your heart crave, deep down?  In the sixth beatitude, Jesus declares that the pure in heart are blessed—because they will see God. But what does purity of heart look like? And how do those of us painfully aware of the sin in our lives cultivate pure hearts? Tune into this episode to dig deeper into this beatitude. To explore the themes in this episode even further, he...

In the fifth beatitude, Jesus names another characteristic of kingdom citizens: mercy. Far from being a spiritual gift only some receive, mercy isn’t optional for believers—it’s absolutely essential. Tune in to unpack what mercy is, what it’s not, and the beautiful promise Jesus gives to the merciful. If you want to dig deeper into the themes of this episode, here are a few reflection questions an...

What are you hungry for?  In the fourth beatitude, Jesus says those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed—and they will be satisfied. But what does it mean to hunger for righteousness when our default craving is to seek satisfaction from other things? In this episode, we explore what it looks like to deeply desire right standing with God and right living in the world—and why that lon...

In this episode, we dive into the third beatitude: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Jesus invites us into a surprising way of life—one that’s calm, unbothered, and gentle. Let’s unpack what true meekness is and explore how trusting God empowers us to live with quiet strength, joy, and the hope of an unshakable inheritance. To keep exploring the themes in this episode, cons...

In the second beatitude in Matthew 5:4, Jesus connects poverty of spirit with mourning. He pairs knowledge of our empty-handedness with grief over it. In doing so, He teaches us that it matters how we respond to the knowledge of our spiritual bankruptcy. It matters that we don’t just “get” that we’re sinners—but we also feel the weight of our sin.  And the amazing promise is that when we do, we wi...

What if, when it comes to salvation, we bring nothing to the table? In this episode, we explore the radical opening of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” Tune in as we unpack what it means to be spiritually poor—and why it’s the starting point to the blessedness that Jesus puts forward in this passage.    If you want to explore the themes in this episode further, here ar...

The good life. No matter who you are, chances are you have a picture of what it looks like—and how to achieve it. When Jesus opens His first sermon in the New Testament with the famous words, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” He introduces a new paradigm for the good life—a stunning invitation to true joy in God’s kingdom.  The Beatitudes, eight powerful statements from Jesus, show us what followi...

Our deep need every Advent season—and every day—is to stand in awe of the One worthy of all praise and honor. It’s what we were made for! But if you’re struggling with apathy in your walk with God, it can be easy to overlook the beauty of God’s glory and grace.  In this episode, you’re invited to explore Luke 2:8-20 for a fresh vision of God’s glory, finding fulfillment in Him and sharing the joy...

If you’re in a season that feels hectic or overwhelming—if your plate is full of good, but hard opportunities—the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 is an encouragement for you: Jesus is enough.  A short encouragement, from my heart to yours. Want to study the themes in this episode further? Here are a few passages and reflection questions to consider: Read the Gospel accounts of the feeding of t...

Confidence. Stability. Security. Safety. Joy.  That’s what the parable of the two builders promises those who embrace Jesus as Savior and obey Him as Lord. A famous parable for a reason, the parable of the two builders wraps up Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and urges us to consider: Have we heard and acted upon Jesus’ words, or do we merely profess to follow Him?  Want to study the themes in this epi...

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector is one of Jesus’ most famous parables. It’s a story that shocked His original hearers and shocks us still today.  What’s most surprising about this parable is the story within the story, the timeless gospel message shining through it that sinners are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. That’s a message I need to hear everyday,...

In Luke 11, the disciples make a request of Jesus that we can all relate to: “Teach us to pray.” To answer this question, Jesus teaches them some amazing lessons—using, in part, the parable of the friend at midnight—about why we should pray, how we should pray, and what we should expect when we pray.  Want to study the themes in this episode further? Here are a few passages and reflection question...

If the kingdom of God isn’t coming in its fullness for a long time, what are Jesus’ subjects to do while waiting for their King to return? How are the master’s servants to live while their master is away?  That’s the question the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) answers. Convicting and comforting, this parable reminds us that we serve a good and gracious God, who invites us to participate...

In the parable of the treasure and the parable of the pearl, Jesus shows us through story that knowing and following Him, giving up all we are for all He is, is the best choice we’ll ever make.  Want to study the themes in this episode further? Here are a few passages and reflection questions to consider:  In both parables, individuals (not groups of individuals) find a prize and acquire it. Why m...

In the parables of the mustard seed and the leaven, Jesus teaches us something totally contrary to the way we tend to think: big works of God often begin small. Kingdom transformation spreads slowly from the inside out, and it’s often hard to see at first. But God does not despise the day of small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10), and neither should we. Want to study the themes in this passage further?...

Why is it sometimes hard to tell if someone is truly a Christian? If Jesus’ kingdom has come, why are there still wicked people in the world? What awaits believers at the end of the age? These questions, and more, are answered in the parable of the tares. The second parable in a set of seven kingdom parables in Matthew’s Gospel, the parable of the tares introduces the idea that the kingdom of God...

“A sower went out to sow his seed.” So begins one of Jesus’ most famous parables, the parable of the soils. Included in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, this parable is key to understanding the other parables of Jesus. It serves as both an encouragement and warning to us as we begin our study of the parables: We are to take heed how we hear the Word of God.  Want to study the themes in this episode furthe...

A prodigal son and a welcoming Father. A man who joyfully buys an entire field to find a hidden treasure. A good Samaritan who goes above and beyond to serve a helpless stranger.  The parables of Jesus contain rich truths that spur us to love Him more and live differently as a result. In this new series, we’ll explore some of these life-changing stories about the kingdom of God, delighting in our...

In this episode, we walk through some key moments in the life of the apostle John and see how Jesus’ love transformed him inside and out. I hope you’re as encouraged as I am: Jesus is still in the business of wooing US with His love and liberating us from our bondage to self and our small dreams so we can be enraptured by Him and live a life we never dreamed possible. Key passages: Mark 19:14-41;...

After over a year since the God-besotted podcast launched, I wanted to take a moment to share my heart for this ministry. My hope and prayer is that this podcast helps us delight more deeply in the God who loved us first. We’re fickle lovers, aren’t we? We need to constantly fan the flames of our love for God, lest we grow cold–and I believe the best way to do that is to rediscover, over and over,...

You’ll want your Bible for this one! It’s our last episode of the Praying the Psalms series, and we’re looking at Psalm 22, a messianic psalm, verse by verse. If you want to study this psalm further, here are a few passages and reflection questions to consider: Psalm 22 is quoted in the New Testament several times. Consider the following passages and how Psalm 22 is fulfilled in Christ: Matthew 27...

I hope you set some goals for 2023. I certainly did. But I wonder how many of our goals are about us–our growth, our journey, our dreams? What if we remembered our calling is so much bigger than us? In this episode, let’s look at Psalm 117–a short but rich psalm that reminds us that we have such a unique privilege: we are God’s love letter to the world. Want to study the themes in this psalm furth...

In a world full of substitute gods, noisy with voices vying for our ear, Psalm 29 shows us the real deal: the God of glory, who calls us to Himself in a thundering voice. Let this hymn of praise stir your heart to worship the one true God, the Lord who blesses us with strength and peace. Want to study the themes in this passage further? Here are a few reflection questions and passages to consider:...

My hope and my prayer is that Psalm 30, a song of thanksgiving, reorients us to the truth that God is for us, and He loves us endlessly. Even when our own pride leads us into a pit, He is there to pull us out and draw us close. He is there to make sure we live in the purpose for which we were created: to find our deepest joy in Him so that He is glorified in us. Want to study the themes in this pa...