Join The Journey

Despite all hardships, the faithful have not been overcome. Emma Dotter shares the significance of today, Reformation Day and talks about the importance of trusting in God's justice and protection as we see in today's passage.    Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:  https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g    Got kids? Check out the Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:  https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM    You...

Is Psalm 128 giving prosperity gospel? In today’s episode, Lauren Atkinson and Watermark high school student Olivia Tristan talk about what it means to experience God’s blessing in our lives. These blessings are not the things we receive from God because of our own good works, but the results of the Holy Spirit changing the desires of our heart.     Additional Scripture Referenced:  Galatians 5:22...

Is hard work a waste? In today’s episode Emma Dotter and Watermark staff member Mandy Bagdanoff discuss what it means to put the Lord at the center of our life and labor. Our labor is in vain if the Lord is not the sole focus of our work.    Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:  https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g    Got kids? Check out the NEW Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:  https://a.co/d...

God is a God who appreciates laughter and joy. Faithful Watermark member, Mary Anne Smiley joins Emma Dotter to talk about how she has personally connected with verse 5, "Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!"    Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:  https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g    Got kids? Check out the Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:  https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM    You c...

What is the scepter of wickedness? In today’s episode, Join the Journey staff member Lauren Atkinson and faithful Watermark member Bill Aiken dive into Psalm 125 and discuss how in the Old Testament, staffs were symbols of power and leaders used them to lead the people of Israel. Bill then ties this symbol of power to the greater leader and perfect King, Jesus Christ.     Additional Scripture refe...

Emma Dotter shares that this Psalm shows us that David deeply understood that God was on his side. He put these truths in practice by reminding all of Israel that God does play a critical role in our lives despite undesirable circumstances we might live through and to remember who our God is.    Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:  https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g    Got kids? Check out the Joi...

Where are your eyes fixed? Are they on the Lord? Today Watermark student Chapman Penuel joins Emma Dotter to teach us about what it means to look at Christ and look away from things of the world. The Psalmist’s message in this passage points us to His greater return and triumph in Christ’s return. His ultimate mercy is our greatest reward and blessing.    Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for...

What is the significance of Jerusalem for believers today? Today Emma Dotter is joined by Watermark staff member Matt Farlow to discuss how we relate to the traditions of the ancient Israelites while not being steeped in the tradition of the Jewish faith today. Even though we don’t hold fast to Jewish traditions as Christians, we can look at them and understand how they were completed in the life,...

Where does our help come from? In today’s episode, Emma Dotter and faithful Watermark South Dallas member Jewel Blackwood cover Psalm 121 and discuss how David put his hope in God as his keeper and protector. Through Jesus, we have even more reason to hope because we always have God by our side living in us and protecting us.     Additional Scripture Referenced:  1 Corinthians 3:16, “Do you not kn...

As believers we can read these psalms of ascent and be reminded of God's presence and His faithfulness. Today, Lauren Atkinson encourages us as she shares that we find our home in Christ and He is the justifier of those who are found in him.    Additional scripture mentioned in today's episode:  Jeremiah 29; Seek the peace  Romans 12; Live peaceably with all  Hebrews 11; They desire a better count...

How does the law of the Old Testament apply to our lives today? In today’s episode covering Psalm 119:89-176, Lauren Atkinson and Watermark staff member Ben Krejci talk about delighting in the law of the Lord and how it shows us both God’s character and our need for Him.     Additional Scripture Referenced:  Psalm 1, Delighting in God’s law  Psalm 13:1-2, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me fore...

What do the heading titles in our Bible mean? Today, Emma Dotter is joined by faithful Watermark member Noah Treanseau to talk about the importance of noticing structure and organization in our Bibles, especially in Psalm 119:1-88. The acrostic nature of Psalm 119 communicates the comprehensive nature of God's Word. Even when there are things we don't fully understand about the Bible, we can trust...

Today Lauren Atkinson joins Emma Dotter to teach us how to read scripture in light of Christ. Psalm 118 is a Messianic psalm where we see that Jesus is the full and final passover lamb sacrifice who came to take away the sins of the world by dying for them Himself.    Additional Scripture mentioned in today’s episode:  Colossians 2:3, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”...

The key truth in this psalm is to praise the Lord. And not just you individually but all people and all nations. Today Watermark staff, Lois Wilke joins Emma Dotter to dive into a short psalm word by word to be reminded of the sweet truth of the gospel.    Want to serve on the Join The Journey team? Find out more info here: https://www.watermark.org/search/serve?query=Join%20the%20Journey    Grab...

All of mankind are liars? Is that true? Or is this psalmist just being dramatic? In today’s episode Lauren Atkinson is joined by Watermark Staff member, Dyann Kierstead, to talk about how relatable Psalm 116 is. Dyann also shares a small update about Watermark’s international missions teams.     Additional Scripture Referenced in Today’s Episode:  Proverbs 3:5-7  Psalm 73:26 (My flesh may fail)  ...

Today we are celebrating the 200th episode of the podcast for 2024 and gearing up to celebrate 25 years at Watermark! David Penuel and Dani Stoll help us answer the question, “How is Jesus different than idols?”. We come to find out that nothing else can speak, see, listen, serve or bless like Jesus. May we look to Him in all things.    Additional Scripture referenced in today’s episode: 1 Peter 3...

In our passage today, we see nature is acting in fear, reverence and obedience to God. How much more should we be acting in that way? Watermark College student, Sam Curtis joins Seth Master on the podcast to talk about the parallels you find in today's Psalm.    Additional Scripture referenced in today's episode:  Romans 8:35, "Who shall seperate us from the love of Christ?"  Philippians 1:6, "And...

"From the rising sun to the setting same I will praise your name." Faithful Watermark member, Michelle Buchanan joins Emma Dotter on the podcast to talk about the command to praise we see from Psalm 113.     Check out the worship song Michelle mentioned: Maverick City - Promises https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5m09rqOoxE    Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:  https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g...

In this episode Emma Dotter reviews today's devotional and Dr. Constables overview of Psalm 112, allowing the listener to form a starting point before doing a deep dive themselves.    Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:  https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g    Got kids? Check out the NEW Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:  https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM    You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr...

Bad habits breed consequences. When we think about our spiritual lives, we never want forgetfullness to turn into a bad spiritual habit of ours. Emma Dotter reminds us to give thanks to the Lord not just as individuals, but as God's people.    Additional Scripture referenced in today's episode:  Genesis 12, 15, 17 - References to God's covenant promises to Abraham.  2 Samuel 7 - Reference to God's...

What does the reference to Melchizedek mean in Psalm 110? In today’s episode, Emma Dotter and faithful Join the Journey editor Will Gullette discuss who Melchizedek is and how it is important for us to explore the Word of God more deeply, because all of God’s story points to His plan of redemption and deep love for us.     Additional Scriptures referenced:   Genesis 14 – where Melchizedek meets Ab...

Justice has either been executed on Jesus on the cross or will be payed for for all of eternity for those who deny Christ. Join The Journey Hospitality Volunteer, Katterli Edwards joins Lauren Atkinson to talk through Psalm 109 and answer the question, "Can we curse our enemies?" Additional scripture referenced in today's episode: Romans 2:4, "Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and fo...

As David is remembering God's salvation for His people, Israel, he is also praising God as the One whose power and glory are over all authorities. Lauren Atkinson teaches us that we can never overstate the truth of God's kept promises. Take time today to reflect on your own salvation and remind yourself to look to Jesus " the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before...

Our standing before God as believers is not dependent upon our performance. Emma Dotter walks us through today's passage and shows us that the wise filter their circumstances through the lens of the Cross recognizing that God is good even when we are not, even when our circumstances are not, even when we seem to have lost all hope; the wise may declare that our God is good, loving, kind, He is our...

"For even sorrow for sin must not put us out of tune for praising God." Psalm 105 magnifies God's goodness and Psalm 106 shows human sin. Lauren Atkinson reminds us that even though Israel sinned, God still loves them and does not stop being faithful to them.    Grab a Join The Journey Journal for Psalms:  https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g     Got kids? Check out the NEW Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024...