Jola Speaks

Send us Fan Mail What if the greatest outcome of your work is not simply that you succeed, but that your life points people towards God? In this episode of Jola Speaks, we reflect on Nehemiah 6:15–16 and the completion of Jerusalem's wall in 52 days. The people who witnessed the result recognised that God had enabled the work. Jola explores what this means for our character, our conduct and o...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wanted to prove someone wrong after they underestimated you, rejected you or made you question yourself? It's understandable to want to show people what you're capable of. But what happens when the need to prove them wrong starts taking your attention away from what truly matters? In this episode of Jola Speaks , Success Is the Best Form of Revenge , we exp...

Send us Fan Mail What do you do when the assignment in front of you feels bigger than you can handle? In this episode of Jola Speaks, we reflect on Nehemiah 6:15 and how Jerusalem's wall was completed in just 52 days. Through Nehemiah's example, we explore the importance of focus, prayer, preparation and obedience when pursuing something meaningful. Sometimes we become so overwhelmed by...

Send us Fan Mail What if the work God has placed in your hands is bigger than you think? In this final reflection on the Book of Nehemiah, Jola shares how rebuilding Jerusalem's wall became part of a much greater story of restoration. We often focus on the task directly in front of us. But whether we're raising children, building a career, leading people or serving in ministry, the impac...

Send us Fan Mail What do you do when opposition, distractions and competing demands threaten to pull you away from what matters? In this episode of Jola Speaks, we reflect on Nehemiah's experience rebuilding Jerusalem's wall and the challenges that threatened to stop the work. From ridicule and intimidation to false accusations and subtle distractions, Nehemiah faced repeated attempts to...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when our relationship with God starts feeling like a performance?  In this episode of Jola Speaks, we continue through Nehemiah 13:23–31 and reflect on the repeated struggle of God's people to obey perfectly.  Their story reminds us that we cannot save ourselves through our own effort.  Jesus did what our rule-keeping could never do.  We explore grace, mercy, obe...

Send us Fan Mail What if you've actually done your part — but you're still carrying the weight of an outcome you cannot control?  In this episode of Jola Speaks, we explore Nehemiah 13:23–31 and Nehemiah's prayer, “Remember me, O my God, for good.”   Nehemiah had rebuilt the wall, dealt with opposition, led people back to God, corrected abuses and done everything within his responsi...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever worked hard for a long time and wondered if anyone actually sees what you're doing?  In Nehemiah 13:14, Nehemiah prayed, “Remember me, O my God.”  In this episode, Jola reflects on that prayer through a very personal experience. She shares what it felt like to wonder whether her own work was being remembered or whether it was producing the fruit she hoped for. ...

Send us Fan Mail What if the things you keep worrying about are actually invitations to talk to God?  In Nehemiah 13:14, Nehemiah brings his concerns directly to God. But Jola sees something bigger in the passage: Nehemiah had developed a pattern of talking to God about everything.  Not just the major decisions. Not just the difficult moments. Everything.  In this episode of Jola Speaks, we explor...

Send us Fan Mail What makes someone truly trustworthy at work?  In Nehemiah 13:10–14, Nehemiah chose people who were considered faithful to manage the storehouse.  In this episode, Jola explores the difference between competence and character — and why being able to do something is not the same as being someone who can be trusted to do it.  Because the real question isn't always:  Can they do...

Send us Fan Mail Surrender to God is not a one-time event.  In this episode of Jola Speaks, we look at Nehemiah 13:10–14 and what happened when the people of Israel returned to old patterns after previously repenting and committing themselves to God.  Their earlier repentance was genuine. But genuine intention still needed to become consistent action.  Jola explores why we must renew our minds dai...

Send us Fan Mail What does it look like to genuinely walk with God when life is busy, plans change and the season you're in doesn't make sense?  Jola sits down with Esther Longe for an honest conversation about alignment with God, intimacy, vulnerability, the walls we build to protect ourselves, consistency, surrender, calling and recognising the season God has placed us in.  Esther shar...

Send us Fan Mail You worked hard to build it. You prayed for it, fought for it, and stayed faithful through the opposition.  But what happens after the work is finally done?  In Nehemiah 13:4–9, Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem and discovered that Tobiah—someone who had previously opposed the work—had gained access to a room in the house of God through his alliance with Eliashib the priest.  The wal...

Send us Fan Mail What do you do when you know something is wrong, but changing it could upset people?  In Nehemiah 13, Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem and discovers that something has been allowed to happen that goes against God's instructions. His response is decisive: he removes what should not be there and restores the space to its intended purpose.  But this isn't only a lesson about N...

Send us Fan Mail Sometimes the thing weighing heavily on you is not something to suppress—it may be something God wants you to bring into His presence.  In this episode, Jola explores Nehemiah 13 and what happened when Nehemiah was deeply grieved by what he found. We look at how a burden can lead us to prayer, courage, wisdom and action, and Jola shares a personal workplace experience that showed...

Send us Fan Mail Who Is Influencing You? How to Choose Your Inner Circle | Nehemiah 13   Who has your ear?  The people closest to us can influence far more than we realise. In Nehemiah 13, Eliashab's alliance with Tobiah shows how the wrong relationship can gradually affect our judgement, decisions and even the people we lead.  In this episode, Jola explores the danger of underestimating infl...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you finish building?  Who takes over?  And perhaps most importantly— will they carry the purpose faithfully?   In this episode of Jola Speaks, we continue through the Book of Nehemiah and explore Christian leadership, succession and the importance of choosing the right people to carry what God has entrusted to us.  Jola examines why credentials, experience and in...

Send us Fan Mail What happens after you finish what God called you to build? Through Nehemiah 13:4–9, Jola explores the often-overlooked work of sustainability, succession and leadership. Your assignment may be finished, but God's purpose doesn't have to end with you. #jolaspeaks @jolaspeaks #christianpodcast #dailydevotion #spiritualgrowth 

Send us Fan Mail What do you do when God asks you to obey, but obedience feels impossible?   There are moments when you know what God is asking of you, but everything in you wants to say, “Lord, this is hard.”   In this episode of Jola Speaks , we continue our journey through Nehemiah and explore what happens when obedience feels impossible.  Looking at Nehemiah 13, Jola reflects on how worship pr...

Send us Fan Mail What if the thing you're afraid of, the situation you cannot control, or even what someone has planned against you isn't the final word?  In this episode of Jola Speaks , we continue through the book of Nehemiah and reflect on Nehemiah 13:1–3, where Scripture reminds us that God can turn what was intended as a curse into a blessing.  Jola explores what it means to trust...

Send us Fan Mail What if God's “no” is actually protecting you?   In this episode of Jola Speaks, we continue through Nehemiah 13 and explore why obedience to God is ultimately for our own good.  God sees what we cannot see. His instructions may sometimes challenge our logic, comfort, relationships, plans, or expectations—but obedience aligns us with His will and purpose.  Jola also explores...

Send us Fan Mail Why is obeying God so difficult when His instructions don't make sense?   In this episode of Jola Speaks, we explore obedience through Nehemiah 13 and the uncomfortable reality that God's instructions will not always fit our plans, timing, comfort, or reasoning.  The people in Nehemiah 13 heard the Word and acted. Their response challenges us to examine our own lives: ar...

Send us Fan Mail What if the joy God gives you could strengthen someone else?  Continuing through Nehemiah 12:43, Jola explores how biblical joy can encourage others, change the atmosphere around us and give strength during difficult seasons.  This episode is a reminder that Christian joy isn't about pretending life is easy. It's about holding on to hope in God—and allowing that hope to...

Send us Fan Mail What does it mean for your joy to be "heard from afar"? Continuing through Nehemiah 12, Jola explores how genuine joy becomes visible in the way we respond to people, challenges and everyday life. Discover why biblical joy isn't based on circumstances, but becomes a testimony that points others to Christ. #jolaspeaks @jolaspeaks #christianpodcast #dailydevotion #spi...

Send us Fan Mail What does it mean that "God made them rejoice with great joy"? In this episode, Jola explores the difference between happiness and biblical joy through Nehemiah 12, showing how true joy comes from God's Spirit rather than changing circumstances. Discover how lasting joy can remain even during life's hardest seasons. #jolaspeaks @jolaspeaks #christianpodcast #da...