Join The Journey

Who is the Shunammite woman and how can her story challenge us? Emma Dotter is joined by our Join The Journey Fellow, Hannah Staubs to point out ordinary acts of faithfulness in 2 Kings 8 and how we can be encouraged by it today.    Grab a Join The Journey Journal that coincides with this part of the Join The Journey Reading Plan:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7TCKPR1/ref=sr_1_14crid=3MDHUUF0FW85G...

Elisha knew the character of God and it gave him the confidence to face hardship. Today Emma Dotter is joined by Watermark staff member, Catherine Meredith to talk about who God is and why He can be trusted.    Additional Scripture References in today's episode:  Judges 2:10 - A generation arose that did not know the Lord    Interested in attending Uncommon Parenting Conference? Learn more here: h...

“Naaman almost missed healing because he had a different idea of what healing would look like.” Today Emma Dotter is joined by The Porch staff member, Kendall Kaigler to talk about how God's definition of "good" is better than ours and how He answers prayers differently than we expect sometimes.    Feel free to leave a review and let us know what you are learning on the podcast!    Grab a Join The...

Why do we trust other believers? What does it look for us to know other people for their christ-like reputation? Additionally, did you know today’s reading is a prequel to the fish and loaves story from the New Testament? Today, our Join The Journey Watermark Institute fellow, Hannah Staubs, fills in for Emma and interviews Will Baker—one of Watermark’s High School Students. Hannah and Will cover...

We are looking at the last chapter of Solomon’s life, which is the beginning of the decline of the nation of Israel. For the man who was the wisest king who ever lived, we really see a huge character flaw and a vulnerability to fall into sin. Today Emma Dotter is joined with today’s devo writer Pon Sakungew! It wasn’t an over night change in the life of Solomon, it was a slow turn of compromises....

Choices have incredible value in not only our lives, but in God’s economy. Don’t be quick to ask for counsel from others, before you ask for wisdom from God. Emma Dotter is joined by today’s devo writer and Watermark member, Pam Rittenberry. Although talking about a heavy topic, Emma and Pam leave us with the question, “How can He not be good?”    Here is Pam’s previous episode:  https://podcasts....

The southern kingdom, Judea is captured by the Babylonians. Today, Emma Dotter does an overview of the book of 2 Kings. The key word for the book is the word exile. We see in this book the passing of the “spiritual torch” from Elijah to Elisha, prophets for the nation of Israel (the northern kingdom). They worshipped worthless idols and became worthless themself, however the book ends with a glimm...

Emma Dotter is joined by Ethan Howard, and they unpack the pre-exilic prophets and how our God is not as wrathful as we may think. 12 of the 17 prophets are pre-exilic prophets. They are prophets that are prophesying before the exile of the nation of Israel and Judah. By God sending the prophets he is asking his people to make the right choice of keeping covenant to follow him, but the people of I...

How can God send a lying spirit? Who or what is the lying spirit? And what are we to make of King Ahab’s life?  In today’s episode, Emma Dotter walks us through the over arching story of King Ahab’s life and takes a look at a few of the toughest verses in today’s reading assignment.     Additional Scriptures that are used in this episode:    1 Kings 18:20-40 – Elijah and the prophets of Baal   Deu...

How on earth can a prophet being asked to be hit in the face connect with the life of a believer today? What action steps do we live in after 1 Kings 20? Well, Emma Dotter explains how the whole point of this rouse was to show the king of his own disobedience. Are you actively aware of the ways that you fall short?     Additional Scriptures that are used in this episode:  Deuteronomy 20:12-14, “Bu...

Who is Jezebel and why does Elijah flee from her? In today’s episode, Emma Dotter talks through 1 Kings 19 and the Lord's pursuit and kindness of Elijiah despite his faithlessness.    Additional Scriptures used in this episode:  Revelation 2:20 — Jezebel's effect on the church in Thyatira  Psalm 100:5 — Is the Lord good?  Romans 8:28 — Does He intend good for me?     Grab a Join The Journey Journa...

If you’ve been reading the Bible for a while, it can be easy to skim stories you’re familiar with…to go on auto pilot.  In today’s episode, Emma Dotter walks us through the battle between Elijah and Baal in 1 Kings 18 and helps pull out some noteworthy verses in the passage. Additionally, Emma addresses an important question, “What does it mean for the hand of the Lord to be on someone?”     Addit...

God’s fingerprints are all over our days, but we can be straining to see them...and sometimes, we miss them! Emma Dotter is joined by today’s devo writer, and Watermark Teaching Pastor, John Elmore. John and Emma discusses how the life of Elijah was full of faith and God’s provision, despite his mistakes. They leave us with the question: How much is left on the table because we don’t pray?     Add...

Emma Dotter is joined today by Christ Sherrod, Watermark’s Marriage & Family Director. The book is really saying that all of creation is good, but it is never intended to satisfy us. It’s not that life has no point, but that these things are “hevel.” The word “hevel” means “mere breath”. Christ said that the book has made him a joyful realist! Accept that life is fleeting, enjoy this life, but...

1 Kings 15-16 can be a passage that is heavy, seeing that we heard about 5 horrible kings. Emma Dotter and Watermark’s Creative Director, David Penuel, unpack how we don’t have to be dismayed when evil doers gain power, wealth or influence. Learning about these evil kings can have believers turn to praise God for King Jesus, who will reign forever.     Additional Scriptures Referenced in Today’s P...

All of these imperfect kings have wrong ideals for success. Where real success is being faithfulness. When we read 1 Kings, it is really important to keep the Gospels in mind. Israel’s bad kings point to the need for the greater King, King Jesus. Emma Dotter is here with today’s devo writer and Watermark’s City Engagement Coordinator, Parker Primrose.     Additional Links that are helpful:    Find...

A lion attack? A disobedient prophet? Today, our Join The Journey Watermark Institute fellow, Hannah Staubs, fills in for Emma and interviews Blake Broekemeier—one of Watermark’s High School Students. Hannah and Blake cover 1 Kings 13.      Hear more from Blake in the episodes below:   How should Christians respond to mass shootings? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-should-christians-resp...

Today, Emma Dotter unpacks the two unwise decisions made by the two “Boams”: Rehoboam and Jeroboam. Through the lens of Proverbs 3:5-6, Emma explains who without trusting in the Lord to guide in decisions we too can fall victim to decisions based on folly or insecurity.     Additional Scriptures in the passage:     Proverbs 11:4, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls…”  Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trus...

We are looking at the last chapter of Solomon’s life, which is the beginning of the decline of the nation of Israel. For the man who was the wisest king who ever lived, we really see a huge character flaw and a vulnerability to fall into sin. Today Emma Dotter is joined with today’s devo writer Pon Sakungew! It wasn’t an over night change in the life of Solomon, it was a slow turn of compromises....

It is generally understood that the main author of the book of Proverbs is Solomon. The Proverbs are the wisdom of the king who couldn’t live up to his own ideals, and they are simultaneously principles and not promises. Today Emma Dotter & Oren Martin dive into who understanding this book is helpful as we continue to learn about Solomon.    Additional Scriptures in the podcast:  Genesis 3:15,...

Starting off with the hilarious question you may have heard growing up, “Who do you think you are, the Queen of Sheba?” Emma Dotter is joined by today’s devo writer Steve Pennypacker. The Queen of Sheba was able to right see that Solomon’s wisdom and riches didn’t allude to himself, but all to the blessing of God.       Additional Scriptures in the podcast:  Deuteronomy 17:16 Rules for Kings of Is...

Starting to drift, not stewarding what God gave him well, and that is resulting in a lack of obedience in his actions. Emma Dotter is joined today on the podcast with Wendy Park, who is today’s devo writer. Wendy challenges us with this quote, “I will be faithful to the things he has called me to be faithful to, for the time he has called me to be faithful to them.”     Want to learn more about Ka...

The whole point of the temple was for God to be with his people, Israel. Today Emma Dotter is joined by today’s devo writer and Watermark Elder, Ben Caldwell. These friends challenge us that we don’t want to miss the hope that is found in this passage. God brings restoration knowing full well that his people would rebel. We need to long for intimacy with God more than any temporal thing.     Addit...

As we continue to learn about temple construction, today Emma Dotter shows us from 1 Kings 7 Solomon’s divided heart, and the willingness of Hiram of Tyre. Hiram used the gifts he receive from God for the building of the temple. What a correct usage of his gifts!     Want to serve? Email: jointhejourney@watermark.org to serve with Join the Journey team!    Additional Scripture in this passage:  Ex...

In today’s podcast, Emma Dotter walks through the continuing steps in the temple construction, and how this excerpt applies to our lives today. It has always been God’s desire to be with his people, but his presence comes with a condition: be obedient. While obedience is a necessity, and other essential aspect of the Christian life is silence. Silence before the Lord, and silence to hear Him speak...