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What do we do when our expectations of Jesus don't line up with who He really is? Today Watermark Shoreline Director Will McIlroy walks us through Acts 3 to show us how Christ is better than any expectation we could ever set for him.    Additional Scripture referenced in today's episode:  Genesis 1-2, creation account    Order our NEW Join The Journey Jr. Discussion cards to help you and your fami...

Today, Emma Dotter discusses Genesis 1:1-2, 26-28 and Genesis 3:1-15 and explores how the Advent season can be a time for us to evaluate our hearts and trust in God's great plan for us through Jesus.    Order our NEW Join The Journey Jr. Discussion cards to help you and your family study the Bible together: https://my.watermark.org/registration? RegistrationInstanceId=4093

Welcome to Advent! It's never too late to start reading your Bible. Lauren Atkinson shares how today's passage bridges the gap from the Old Testament to the New Testament and then further in our lives today.    Additional Scripture referenced in today's episode:  Genesis 1-2, creation account    Order our NEW Join The Journey Jr. Discussion cards to help you and your family study the Bible togethe...

Today we are wrapping up the book of Psalms! Emma Dotter walks us through what is looks like to worship God with everything we have. This psalm is all about giving God glory for who He is and it reminds us that no matter what is happening in life, God is always worthy of our praise.    Additional Scripture Referenced:  Luke 19:40, “He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones wo...

Happy Thanksgiving! Emma Dotter is joined by fellow Watermark staff member, Jacob Alger to provide helpful context on Psalm 149 as we tackle the question, "Is it our job to execute judgement on the nations?"     Additional Scripture referenced in today's episode:  Matthew 26:52, "Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword."  Heb...

Is it even possible for mountains and seas to praise God? In today’s episode, Lauren Atkinson and faithful Watermark student Hope Bagdanov talk about Psalm 148 and how even the earth in all its fullness was created to give glory to God.    Additional Scripture Referenced:  Luke 19:40, “He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”    Interested in the Training Day...

In this psalm, we get to see the overarching theme that God is abundantly powerful in all creation and He’s abundantly intentional in His care for His people. Lauren Atkinson leaves us with the encouragement that we are so loved by God in Christ and we can cling to that truth no matter what we face going into the holiday season.    Order our NEW Join The Journey Jr. Discussion cards to help you an...

"As a follower of Jesus, I want to care about the things that God cares about." In today’s episode, Watermark member, Mark Hapka joins Emma Dotter to walk us through how we can help get our hearts aligned to God’s heart.     Additional Scripture referenced in today's episode:  Deuteronomy 4:9, “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and...

Why is it important to tell future generations about the Lord? Emma Dotter is joined by Lauren Atkinson to unpack how this psalm is about the unsearchable greatness and God's abundant goodness.    Order our NEW Join The Journey Jr. Discussion cards to help you and your family study the Bible together: https://my.watermark.org/registration? RegistrationInstanceId=4093    You can also check out the...

Why do we want our sons and daughters to be plants and pillars? How do we build our children up to be people of character? Today we are joined by Watermark staff member Chris Sherrod to walk through Psalm 145 with Lauren Atkinson. Check out the latest podcast!    Register for Training Day x Join The Journey here: https://www.watermark.org/events/6353-training-day-x-join-the-journey    Grab a Psalm...

In today’s episode, Emma Dotter and faithful Watermark high school student Ella Eubanks discuss Psalm 143 and how we can ask God for guidance in our lives as we face hard times because He is faithful and caring. Not only is it important for us to trust Him in how He will lead us in the future, but it is also essential that we remember how He has worked in our lives in the past.     Grab a Psalms J...

At Watermark, we’ve always loved reading the Bible together. Hear how Join The Journey started and grew to reach thousands with God’s Word. See all stories at watermark.org/celebrate25

Today on the podcast, Watermark staff member Shane Rasch joins Lauren Atkinson on the podcast to help us understand the difference between a complaint and a lament. We see David look to God as his true hope and refuge and share his longing for community.    Additional scripture referenced in today's episode:  Genesis 2:18, "Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good that the man should be alone; I wi...

Have you ever asked God to guard your lips and heart? In today’s episode, Join the Journey Volunteer Lauren Fricke and Lauren Atkinson discuss Psalm 142 and how David prays to God and asks Him to guard his lips and heart, as well as accept the godly rebuke of others. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit through us that our hearts and deeds can be reoriented towards God’s good will for u...

In light of the cross, do we really want burning coals to fall on our enemies' heads? Today, Seth Master talks through Psalm 140 and how we think about justice and hope in light of the cross. Through four movements of the psalm, David shows the truth that despite evil and how it affects him, he expresses confidence in God's justice. Because of our sin, we were all enemies of God. The cross has mad...

Today's Psalm can be broken up into three parts: God knows everything, God is everywhere and God can do anything. Lauren Atkinson reminds us that we aren't left in our sin, we are left with a promise that God will sanctify us through Christ.    Additional Scripture mentioned in today's episode:  Genesis 1-3; Creation story and humanity's sin  Hebrews 9:14, "How much more will the blood of Christ,...

Emma Dotter is joined by Watermark student, Parker Matthews to go verse by verse through Psalm 138. Parker encourages us to remain faithful to the Lord and know that He will provide you with the answer that you need to your prayers even if is not necessarily the answer that you want.    Interested in serving with students? You can learn more here: https://www.watermark.org/search/serve?query=Servi...

Dashing the little ones against the rock? In Psalm 137, the Israelites are mourning their loss and the consequences they are facing due to sin. Emma Dotter and Lauren Atkinson explore this passage and discuss worshipping God in a foreign land and God’s divine judgment.     Additional Scripture Referenced:  Romans 12:19, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is...

Psalm 136 is a beautiful hymn of thanksgiving that centers around one powerful theme: the enduring love of God. Emma Dotter shows us how the psalmist creates a rhythmic reminder of God's constant unwavering presence throughout history.     Interested in coming to Training Day? Learn more here: https://www.watermark.org/events/6353-training-day-x-join-the-journey    Are you a girl in Dallas? Join u...

"When we fail to recognize or we simply forget that God has been at work through out our lives it becomes much more difficult to see Him at work in the present." In today's episode, Emma Dotter walks us through what it looks like to praise the Lord and reflect on His goodness no matter our circumstance    Interested in coming to Training Day? Learn more here: https://www.watermark.org/events/6353-...

Today's psalm is the last of the songs of ascent and God's people are nearing the end of their journey to Jerusalem. Watermark Worship Staff, Josh O'Neal joins Lauren Atkinson to talk about verse 2 and why people raise their hands in worship?    Additional scripture referenced in today's episode:  Proverbs 16:9, "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."    Listen to the...

What's the deal with the oil on the head? What does it look like to live unified with believers? Today Seth Master is joined by Watermark high school senior Noah Roby to talk about Psalm 133 and the importance of doing life with believers in unity. As we have been united to Christ by His Spirit, we have been united into a body of believers. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is amplified when we live to...

"God is faithful even when life isn't 'up and to the right'." Watermark Elder, Todd Anders, joins Lauren Atkinson on today's episode to unpack Psalm 132 and encourage us as a believers to trust in God's timing and sovereignty.    Access prayer prompts for the election here: https://www.watermark.org/blog/24-days-of-prayer-for-the-2024-election    Additional Scripture mentioned in today's episode:...

David quieted his soul, eliminated the agitation caused by seeking the satisfaction of his own desires, and found contentment in his Heavenly Father—becoming a man after God’s own heart. Emma Dotter shares an encouraging Join The Journey devo written by a Watermark member and leaves us with some questions to think through today.    Additional Scripture mentioned in today's episode:  Psalm 46:10 -...

How do we wait actively with hope and tether ourselves to something? Faithful Watermark member and friend, Melissa Miller joins Emma Dotter to share the sweet truth that, "It's belief in His steadfast love that fuels our ability to let go of earthly fulfillment or pain relief."     Additional Scripture mentioned in today's episode:  Proverbs 16:9, "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord esta...