I just want to talk about the Bible

7. Meditating on the Scriptures, Part 1 Experiencing God When the disciples were with Him alone, they asked Him why He spoke in parables. He explained to them that only those with receptive hearts were permitted to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. A mystery in the NT is a truth hitherto unknown that can only be known through special revelation. -William MacDonald Divine truth is not somethi...

Today we talk about the importance of having a right view of God and living our lives in continual awareness of His presence and love. Other episodes mentioned in this one: Episode 24: The Gospel This episode is named after this song . I would encourage you to listen to it and specifically note the chorus in light of our discussion today. Here is another song about how amazing the Lord's hear...

In this episode we discuss the vital importance of being honest and transparent in our relationship with the Lord and opening up all of our hearts to Him, even the parts where we are confused, discouraged, frustrated, etc. We discuss how all of this can actually serve to deepen our relationship with Jesus. Other episodes mentioned in this one: Episode 62: Trust the Lord, not the means Scriptures r...

In this episode we talk about guarding against placing our trust just in the means by which God speaks to us and moves in our lives instead of in God Himself. It can be easy to put our hope in a method or formula, but we must remember that it is God who worked through those things in the first place, and our hope must always remain in Him and not in the methods by which He worked. You can find the...

In this episode we talk about the need of transparent and vulnerable community and asking others to carry us to Jesus in prayer. Scriptures referenced: Mark 2:1-12 Mark 1:35 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 John 13:34-35 John 13:13-17 Galatians 6:2 Romans 12:15 James 5:16 James 4:6 Matthew 23:12 Philippians 2:5-11 Matthew 7:7 Hebrews 4:16 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 Ephesians 6:18-20 **CORRECTIONS/CLARIFICATIONS**...

In this episode we talk about how to be right with God, and we also discuss the peril of what has been called "easy believism". Other episodes referenced in this one: Episode 21: "I never knew you" Episode 24: The Gospel Episode 48: Five loaves and two fish Episode 49: If we don't control our thoughts, they will control us You can find the book Gentle and Lowly HERE . Scri...

In this episode we return to the topic of our thoughts and the emotions that flow from them. We see how our minds are like raging rivers that can sweep us away or can be harnessed and used biblically and constructively. Other episodes referenced in this one: 7. Meditating on the Scriptures, part 1 26. Taking thoughts captive 101 33. Do not be anxious 44. The renewal of our minds 49. If we don&apos...

Today we talk about broadening our view of what God may be doing in our lives because we may be missing it by having too narrow a view. Other episodes referenced in this one: Episode 50: The Lord knows best Episode 55: Prisoners in unlocked cells, part 1 Episode 56: Prisoners in unlocked cells, part 2 Check out the Experiencing God Bible study. Scriptures referenced: John 5:1-19 Romans 12:2 Mark 3...

Reading the Bible is not an academic exercise, but an investment in a relationship. Today we talk about how the main objective in the entire Christian life is to know Jesus. If we miss the relational component of our walks with Him, then we miss everything. Episodes referenced in this one: Episode 4: Brief overview of the Old Testament Episode 24: The Gospel Scriptures used in this episode: John 1...

Today we continue the conversation that we began in the previous episode about fighting against a victim mentality. Specifically, today we look at two things: a practical application and a caution. Episodes referenced: Episode 24: The Gospel Episode 55: Prisoners in unlocked cells, part 1 Resources mentioned: The Jesus Storybook Bible Experiencing God Scriptures used/referenced: Galatians 6:7 Jame...

In this episode we discuss the subtlety and peril of having a victim mentality. It's something that we can all fall into if we're not paying attention, and, if we're not careful, such a mentality has the power to dominate our lives and color the way we see everything that happens around us. Other episodes mentioned in this one: Episode 12: His steadfast love endures forever Episode...

Today we look at some biblical principles regarding how to respond to pressures and change them from being destructive to being constructive. Quotes: To abide in Jesus is to live in fellowship with Him every moment of every day. (Vance Pitman) Fruit is the life of the Vine pressed out through the branches. (Vance Pitman) The life of Jesus in me being lived through me (Vance Pitman) Other episodes...

Our love for the Lord is a response to His love for us. Like 1 John 4:19 says, "We love because he first loved us." And our obedience to the Lord should flow out of our love for Him. In this episode we talk about the Lord's love for us as seen through some of the things that the Lord did for us through the Gospel. As we come to know and believe these things more and more, our hearts...

In this episode we look at a passage from Jeremiah and ask ourselves a hard question based on what we read. Other episodes referenced in this one: Episode 4: Brief overview of the Old Testament Episode 6: Surrender: a firsthand experience Episode 50: The Lord knows best Scriptures referenced: Jeremiah 1:4-8 Jeremiah 2:4-13 Jeremiah 22:8-9 Jeremiah 42:1-22 Deuteronomy 5:29 Jeremiah 43:1-7 Psalm 40:...

"Pray as if it all depends on God, and work as if it all depends on you." That's something a man of God I used to know would say, and it captures the focus of this episode. Today we look at how we need to do what we can do and then depend on God to do what only He can do. Other episodes referenced in this one: Episode 7: Meditating on the Scriptures, part 1 You can access the commen...

Happy 50th episode! In this episode we discuss the peril of doing what seems best to us and the importance of trusting the Lord in every circumstance even when it may not make sense to us. Other episodes referenced in this one: Episode 6: Surrender: A Firsthand Experience Scriptures used: Proverbs 14:12 Proverbs 16:25 John 10:10 Proverbs 3:7-8 Proverbs 12:15 Proverbs 26:12 Judges 17:6 Judges 21:25...

In this episode we discuss the importance of trusting the Lord, and we see how our emotions are indicators of our thoughts. It's our responsibility to meditate upon the Word of God, to ask God for wisdom, and to analyze our thoughts and see if they line up with the truth of God's Word. But we must also be dependent upon the Holy Spirit in this process. Apart from His power, we won't...

In this episode we discuss how if we bring to the Lord what we have He can take it and multiply it into something greater than we could have ever imagined for His glory and the good of others. Just remember: you can be used to make an impact in the kingdom of God! Here is where the feeding of the 5,000 can be found in each Gospel account: Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15 O...

In this episode I share three things that the Lord does in us through difficulties. There are certainly many more things, but these three are things He has highlighted to me recently. As a recap, those three things are: He wraps His arms around us and comforts us (and also teaches us how to comfort others). He teaches us to rely on Him instead of ourselves. He teaches us meekness. Also, here is th...

This episode is a continuation of the conversation that we started back in episode 44. In it, I share a declaration that I wrote based on the reality that our righteousness comes from Jesus alone and that we don't have to earn God's love, favor, or approval. Here is the declaration I shared in this episode: "I don’t have to 'do enough', because Jesus has done it all."...

In this episode I share some of the declarations that I have written for myself. Hopefully, some of them will be an encouragement to you too. Remember though, it's important for you to personalize them or come up with your own as well based off of what the Lord is currently teaching you. As I shared in the episode, I'm including the declarations below. I wanted to write out the Scripture...

In this episode we discuss the importance of being transformed by the renewal of our minds by declaring truth daily so as to change the way that we think. Other episodes referenced in this one: Episode 20: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! Episode 26: Taking thoughts captive 101 Pastor Craig Groeschel's book Winning the War in Your Mind  can be purchased HERE . Scriptures referenced: L...

In this episode we discuss the important difference between empathy and compassion. Episodes referenced: Episode 39: "Seventy-seven times" Episode 42: "By this all people will know..." www.blueletterbible.org is the resource that I mentioned that is helpful for doing studies in the original languages. Here are the words that I focused on in this episode (click on the highlighte...

In this episode we talk about the importance of love in the life of a believer. Other episodes referenced in this one: 21. "I never knew you" 24. The Gospel Quote by Pete Scazzero: "Love really is the mark of a true and mature spirituality." Quote by my pastor Jeff Kapusta: "Crisis reveals character." I mentioned blueletterbible.org. I wanted to include the link to th...

The journal entry I mention in this episode captures the focus of the entire thing: "I was just praying and asked the Lord for wisdom, and I think He showed me something wonderful. He’s promised to give wisdom; so, when I ask I need to truly be confident that He will give it. I can rest in that assurance. It's a guarantee! However, I’ve wanted that wisdom same day or same week. There is...