The Rod and the Staff

Church membership is far more than adding your name to a list. According to Scripture, membership in a local church is visible, covenantal, and communal. It identifies who belongs to a particular congregation, who is responsible for shepherding, and who is committed to living under the care and accountability of the church. In this episode, Pastor Tony Myers explores the biblical foundations of ch...

Before we can understand church discipline, we must understand what the local church actually is. Many people view the church as a voluntary organization, a place to receive spiritual services, or simply a gathering they can join and leave at will. Others focus exclusively on a personal relationship with Christ while neglecting the importance of belonging to a local congregation. In this episode,...

Before we can understand church discipline, we must understand what it means to be a Christian. Our view of Christian identity shapes how we think about obedience, accountability, spiritual growth, and life within the church. In this episode, Pastor Tony Myers examines the biblical definition of a Christian and highlights three foundational realities: Christians are given a new condition, brought...

A proper understanding of church discipline begins with a proper understanding of the gospel. If we misunderstand the gospel, we will inevitably misunderstand why God disciplines His people and why the church is called to practice loving correction. In this episode, Pastor Tony Myers examines a common modern view of the gospel and contrasts it with the biblical message found throughout Scripture....

Church discipline is one of the most misunderstood topics in the Christian life. Many associate it with harshness, legalism, or judgment, while others avoid the subject altogether. Yet Scripture presents church discipline as a vital part of discipleship and spiritual formation. In this opening episode of a new series, Pastor Tony Myers introduces a biblical framework for understanding church disci...

Psalm 23:6 brings the Psalm to a powerful conclusion: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” In this episode, Pastor Tony Myers explains the biblical meaning of hope—not something uncertain, but something guaranteed. God’s goodness and mercy are not distant ideas; they actively pursue His people every day, providing...

Psalm 23:5 presents one of the most surprising images in Scripture: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” In this episode, Pastor Tony Myers explores how God responds to the external threat of enemies—not by removing the conflict, but by meeting us in the middle of it. Instead of escape, God offers His presence. Instead of panic, He invites us to sit at His table. This tea...

Psalm 23:4 addresses one of the most difficult realities of life: walking through the valley. In this episode, Pastor Tony Myers explores how the focus of Psalm 23 shifts from internal struggles to external threats—circumstances that bring fear, uncertainty, and vulnerability. Valleys are not signs of failure or wrong turns. They are part of life in a broken world. This teaching highlights a power...

Psalm 23:3 declares one of the most hopeful promises in Scripture: “He restores my soul.” In this episode, Pastor Tony Myers explains how restoration is directly connected to learning to stop. God does not design us for constant, unending busyness. Yet many of us continue to push forward, fearing what we might discover if we slow down. This teaching explores how God restores by turning us back—bac...

Psalm 23:2 describes one of the Shepherd’s most gracious provisions: “He leads me beside still waters.” In this episode, Pastor Tony Myers explores why busyness is more than just a modern inconvenience—it can become spiritually unhealthy, even sinful. Many of us live at a constant pace, moving from one demand to the next, never slowing down long enough to experience the rest God provides. Sheep ca...

Psalm 23:2 gives us one of the most tender and overlooked images in Scripture: “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” In this episode, Pastor Tony Myers explains why sheep must lie down in order to digest what they eat — and why we are much the same. Left to ourselves, we rarely come to a full stop. We keep moving, consuming, chasing what looks “green,” even when it isn’t truly life-giving. The...

We live in one of the wealthiest nations in history—and yet one of the most discontented. How can that be? In this episode of Rod & Staff, Pastor Tony Myers explores Psalm 23:1: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” This bold statement confronts our modern obsession with more—more comfort, more control, more success, more approval—and exposes why our desires so often leave us empty. Dra...

Psalm 23:4 links “comfort” with the shepherd’s rod and staff—but how can correction and guidance comfort us? Pastor Tony Myers explains that without a genuine relationship with God, correction feels threatening and guidance feels restrictive.   In this teaching, comfort is redefined as a spiritual release—like pressure applied to a knot that finally lets go. God uses His rod and staff to press on...

The Lord Is My Shepherd: Known, Loved, and Led by God This episode explores the deeply personal opening words of Psalm 23: “The Lord is my Shepherd.” Pastor Tony Myers unpacks the significance of the word “my” and what it reveals about belonging, identity, and relationship with God. Listeners are reminded that they were created not for isolation or independence, but for relationship—with God and w...

The Tools of the Shepherd: How God Guides and Protects Us Pastor Tony Myers explains the significance of the shepherd’s two primary tools—the rod and the staff—and how each reflects God’s heart toward His people. These tools reveal God’s authority, His discipline, His protection, and His tender guidance. Through this episode, you’ll gain a clearer picture of the Good Shepherd who not only defends...

Psalm 23: An Invitation to the Shepherd’s Care (Series Introduction) In this opening episode, Pastor Tony Myers introduces The Rod and the Staff podcast and the heart behind this series on Psalm 23. Listeners are invited into a deeper understanding of God’s shepherding care—His comfort, His presence, and His intentional relationship with His people. Discover what to expect from this series and how...