So Much More: Scripture Meditation (Lectio Divina)

She never lost hope. Even after 12 years of painful suffering. Even after spending all she had. Even after becoming an outcast that was separated from her community.   When she heard Jesus was near, she took the risk. In faith, she went. In faith, she reached out and touched Jesus.   And her faith was rewarded.   While we may not experience healing on this side of eternity, Jesus has much comfort...

When life implodes, fear comes along for the ride. We’re left holding questions like: What now? What’s next? What if…? Psalm 46 reminds us that no matter what is happening, we can place our hope and trust in God because, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”  And once we know God is in control, then we can be still and know that he is God. This guided meditation will h...

It’s possible. According to Scot McKnight, Revelation’s main purpose isn’t speculation, it’s encouragement to follow Jesus as a dissident disciple.   Scot McKnight is a renowned speaker, writer, professor, and equipper of the church. Jodie and Scot dive into the topic of interpreting the book of Revelation and the influence of the speculative approach known as dispensationalism.  McKnight shares h...

We long for pain-free, grief-free days. Days that are filled with only good things. The problem is - those days never seem to come. There is always pain, death, and destruction. The effects of sin have left their mark on our world and our lives.   It can be easy to lose hope, especially when we read the news. Will it ever end?   Yes, it will. Revelation 21 tells the end of the story – or rather, t...

*** Download your free Sacred Summer Journal here. **** Where are you seeking direction from the Lord? As we round out summer and start looking toward fall, it’s a natural time to look ahead, make plans, and ask for clarity from the Lord. This week, we will seek direction from the Lord through a verse in Jeremiah. God invited his people to observe where they were and ask some questions. He would a...

With my God I can scale a wall. David wrote this as he reflected on how God protected and provided during a battle with Saul.   The truth stands for us today, too. When we have God on our side, he will give us all the strength and endurance we need to do all that he’s calling us to do.   Whether we’re facing a battle or circumstances that feels bigger than we are, God is with us.   Where do you ne...

*** Download your free Sacred Summer Journal here. ****   You cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me - Jesus   Jesus invites us to be intimately connected to him so we can be fruitful. And then reminds us that pruning isn’t bad – it’s loving. It leads to stronger branches and more fruit.    A lot of slow work happens behind the scenes.   But in that slow work, we can trust that the gardener kno...

*** Download your free Sacred Summer Journal here. ****   Let nothing be wasted. - Jesus   After Jesus miraculously fed the 5000 with one small lunch, there was an abundance of leftovers. He told the disciples to collect everything. Nothing would be wasted.   The scraps scattered on the hillside. The less desirable pieces. The too much. All collected. All useful. Nothing wasted.   And all because...

*** Download your free Sacred Summer Journal here. ****   Trust in the Lord and do good. Trust God. Do good. Easier said than done.   At its core, Psalm 37 is an invitation to trust God with all the things we can’t control. And then refocus on what we are supposed to do instead.   Allow the Spirit to guide you into this beautiful Psalm and help you release what’s holding you back so you can move f...

*** Download your free Sacred Summer Journal here. **** Peace be with you. Peace be with you. Peace be with you. Three times Jesus spoke these words over his disciples after he was risen. Each time the disciples were locked in a room together, afraid. Fearful they would be killed or harmed, just like the religious leaders had crucified Jesus. Their fear was legitimate. Jesus doesn’t chastise them...

How can we have a deeper and fuller walk with the Holy Spirit? Jack Levison, renowned theologian, and acclaimed author, has spent years studying the person of the Holy Spirit, and what he’s found will surprise and transform you. He shares some of the secrets he’s discovered that lead us to a fuller, deeper, and more powerful relationship with the Holy Spirit. Jack Levison holds the WJA Power Chair...

In some of Jesus’s last words, he told the disciples that the Spirit would come to teach and remind them of everything he had said. And then he stated he was also leaving them with his peace. The disciples didn’t understand yet. But the Spirit would soon help them understand and remember. What a gift – given to them and us. As you meditate on this passage, allow the Lord to help you notice what he...

What if every human being is the image of God? What would that change about how we view ourselves and others?   In the episode, Carmen Joy Imes, author of Being God’s Image: Why Creation Still Matters, helps us unpack this critical question.     Carmen Joy Imes is an associate professor of Old Testament at Biola University. A graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, she is the author of  B...

Let’s go back to the beginning, where it was good - very good. Genesis says, "God created them; male and female he created them." And God gave them the job of ruling and reigning together.   This passage may be familiar to you. But as you hear the words, ask the Spirit to help them become new. He will guide you to notice what he has for you. His Word is living and active, so God may help you see s...

At the end of your day, are you frustrated by your lack of progress? Do you feel overwhelmed by constant distractions? Listen in and discover how you can make real and lasting change through the simple act of paying attention. Meet my guest Paul Angone: Paul Angone is a trusted voice for young professionals, individuals navigating change and transitions, and those seeking to live a more intentiona...

What’s rolling around in your mind? Are you dwelling on an uncertain future? Relitigating the past? Or are you thinking about the true and right things of God? It’s easy to let our minds slip into worry and anxiety. That’s why the Apostle Paul invites us to be intentional with our thoughts. As you meditate on Philippians 4:8, allow the Spirit to help you notice something from these words that appl...

It all started when Terry found a Hopi translation of the Bible that no one could read.   Sadly, the Hopi people were never taught to read their language, so it sat in a shed gathering dust. This made Terry realize that the Native American people didn’t have a translation that spoke to them in their heart language.   Terry started small. He wrote and recorded, The Great Story from the Sacred Book....

We have been made new. And God invites us to live in a way that represents who you are – standing in a good way and walking a true and sacred path. As you meditate on Ephesians 4, allow the Spirit to help you notice something from these words that applies to your own life.   We’re meditating on this passage from the First Nations Version. In the companion podcast, I have a Conversation with Terry...

What’s the cost of living a distracted life?   Katie Westenberg, author of But Then She Remembered , believes it's dangerously high. She argues that our minds dwell on what our hearts and minds focus on. And if God isn’t our focus, then we will not only get distracted but derailed.   The solution is to remember. Remember who your God is and what he has called you to do.   Here’s a few highlights f...

How do you find comfort when you’re distressed? The author of Psalm 77 found comfort through remembering. Remembering who God is and what he has done.   As you meditate on this Psalm, may it help you remember and recall God’s faithfulness in the past and present. Allow the Lord to help you notice what he has for you in these words. Perhaps you have some remembering to do.   Once you’ve listened to...

Whoa! What if we’ve been overlooking some critical information in Scripture? Especially about women and their roles in the New Testament church.   This is what Dr. Nijay Gupta contends in his new book Tell Her Story .   If you’ve ever wondered about the role of women in the early church and the church today, you need to listen to this encouraging and insightful conversation. Nijay introduces us to...

Mary and the other Mary went to the tomb to see Jesus. He wasn’t there. At first, they were confused. But then they encountered an angel who helped them understand what happened and told them what to do next.   They hurried off. On the way, they encountered the resurrected Jesus. Can you imagine?   They fell at his feet, clinging to him. They loved him dearly. He told them, “Don’t be afraid. Go te...

Everyone's faith journey evolves. Many of us have been deconstructing and reconstructing, tearing down practices and beliefs that don’t work as we seek to rebuild something that does.     Matt Tebbe and Ben Sternke, authors of Having the Mind of Christ: Eight Axioms to Cultivate a Robust Faith, discovered, through their own personal journeys and as they guided others, that many were becoming disil...

It was the Sabbath. Jesus was in the synagogue and a man needed healing. What would he do?   The religious leaders were looking for a reason to accuse and discredit Jesus. If he healed the man, Jesus would break the letter of the law.   But what about the intent of the law? And what about the heart of God, who created the law?   So Jesus asks, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do e...

No one asks for restless moments. No one wants to feel irritated, unsettled, or stuck. But what if restlessness is normal, healthy, and even holy? And what if we need to pay attention to our restlessness as an invitation from God?   In the episode, Casey Tygrett, author of The Gift of Restlessness: A Spirituality for Unsettled Seasons, helps us unpack a new way to view restlessness.   Casey holds...