The Orchard Podcast

There are chapters of life when we simply don’t understand what God is doing. We want answers, clarity, and some assurance about how the story will unfold. But Scripture offers us something deeper than understanding: the presence of God. In this episode, we explore how peace comes from companionship with God, not from having everything figured out. When the path ahead is unclear, we can trust what...

We spend so much of our lives focused on where we’re going, what we’re accomplishing, and whether we’re succeeding. But God is deeply interested in who we are becoming along the way. Philippians 1:6 reminds us that the God who began a good work in us is still at work and He intends to finish what He started. In this episode, we talk about the slow and beautiful work of transformation with the prom...

One of the best ways to understand God is to watch a shepherd. Shepherds don't drive their sheep from behind or rush them from place to place. They walk with them. If hurry has become the rhythm of your life and peace feels just out of reach, perhaps the answer is learning to walk at the Shepherd's pace. Join Mike, Michelle, and Brian as they explore what the Bible teaches about the pace of life,...

Behind every transformed life are faithful people whose names are rarely remembered. A volunteer, a teacher, a parent, a mentor, a friend, or our own unnoticed service. The contributions may have gone unnoticed by many, but they were not unnoticed by God. In this episode, we consider the faithful servants who helped shape our lives and reflect on the encouragement of Hebrews 6:10. God sees our fai...

It is easy to compare our journey to someone else's and assume their path is better. But comparison rarely gives us the full picture. In this episode, we explore how envy, judgment, and comparison distort our perspective, causing us to overlook both the challenges others carry and the gifts God has placed in our own lives. Drawing from Jesus' words to Peter in John 21, we consider what it means to...

In this episode, we talk about how God often does His deepest work through small moments in everyday life. Waking up in the morning, conversations over a cup of coffee, waiting in the line at the grocery store, having a meeting at work, or saying a simple prayer before bed, may just be the most important moments of our day. If you’ve ever felt like your life is too ordinary to matter, this episode...

In this 60th episode of the Orchard Podcast, we explore what it truly means to live your best life through the lens of faith and purpose. Drawing from the story of Esther, we reflect on the powerful truth that each of us is here “for such a time as this.” This conversation unpacks the idea that our lives are not accidental, but part of God’s greater plan, one that unfolds not only in big, defining...

Everyone faces moments where fitting in feels easier than standing out. In this episode, we explore the tension between the ways we often look the same and the truth that God made each person with intention and uniqueness. This conversation is a reminder that living your best life is not about being a copy of someone else, but about becoming who you were created to be.

Everyone faces moments when the future feels uncertain. Maybe you’re in one right now. Joshua was too. And what he heard in that moment has encouraged generations of ordinary people trying to live brave lives. In this episode, we unpack what courage really is and why it may not look the way you imagine.

What if the best way to begin the new year isn’t by rushing into resolutions, but by slowing down long enough to rediscover delight in God? In this episode, we explore how real and lasting change flows not from trying harder, but from learning to enjoy God more deeply. We talk about how Scripture, prayer, and quiet attentiveness to God’s gentle nudges shape us from the inside out. If you want this...

What if God’s will isn’t a mystery to solve but a source of comfort knowing God has a plan for us? In this conclusion to our series, we look at the famous promise of Jeremiah 29:11 in its original context and discover a God who plans with intention, compassion, and foresight. Just as a loving host prepares for a guest, God prepares for our arrival into every new season. If you want to understand H...

Hebrews 6:3 opens a doorway into one of the most fascinating questions of faith: What does God permit—and why? In this episode, we talk about the surprising goodness in God’s permission. From growth and maturity to daily choices and opportunities, God is constantly allowing things that shape who we become. This is a hopeful, practical look at how God’s “permission” is often His way of saying, “Go...

When life feels stalled and God seems silent, it’s easy to wonder if He’s forgotten you. Hebrews 10:36 reminds us that “you need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” In this episode, we talk about waiting well. Join us as we discuss how to endure when prayers seem unanswered, how to trust that God is at work beneath the surface, and how h...

God never meant for our bodies to sit idle or just be driven by passing desires. In 1 Peter 4:2, we’re called to spend the rest of our earthly lives putting our bodies to work for the will of God. In this episode we unpack a practical theology of the body—how to see your muscles, habits, and even that extra pound or two you are trying to lose as part of God’s mission. We will talk about what it me...

What does it mean to be truly hungry for the things of God? In this episode of The Orchard Podcast , Brian LaMew sits down with Theuno Swart , the South Africa National Director of Orchard: Africa, and Pastor Patrick Mokgosi , Regional Pastor of the Western Cape Impact Center. Together, they unpack Jesus’ striking statement: "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work....

There’s something you can do today that might be the most loving act you offer all week—and it doesn’t require a platform, a spotlight, or a perfect set of words. In this episode, we explore the quiet power of intercessory prayer. You’ll learn how lifting someone up before God can shape their life, align their heart with God’s will, and bring surprising peace and clarity. Whether you’re praying fo...

What if God’s will wasn’t something to decode or chase, but something we can practice here and now? In this 50th episode of The Orchard Podcast, we will discuss what may be one of the clearest passages in the scriptures about living out God's will. We will talk about three simple phrases that can have a profound impact in your daily life. Join us as we unpack what it means to live with purpose and...

What do you do when your plans fall apart? A job disappears, a door closes, or life just doesn’t go the way you thought it would. Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails." In this episode, we explore what it looks like to discover and align with God’s plan—especially when our own plans come undone. We talk about the disappointment of...

We all want to know what’s coming next—but what if peace isn’t found in having all the answers? In this episode, we take a closer look at the book of James and explore what it means to trust God when the path ahead is uncertain. Whether you’re making big decisions, facing unexpected changes, or simply navigating a season of unknowns, this conversation offers practical wisdom and spiritual clarity...

Have you ever prayed and wondered if your words were just bouncing off the ceiling? Do you ever question whether God hears you—or if He even wants to? In this episode, we take a closer look at one of Jesus’ closest disciples to discover how we can be confident that God is listening. We'll explore the heart of prayer, what draws God's attention, and how Scripture assures us that we are not alone or...

God’s will isn’t just something we try to figure out—it’s something He’s already working in us and through us . Philippians 2:13 reminds us that God is shaping our hearts and moving through our lives for His good purpose. In this episode, we’ll talk about how to recognize His work in you and how to live it out in the world around you. When we trust that He’s already at work, we can step forward wi...

Do you know God's will for you this year? Would you like to know? It may be that you already know the answer to that question. The better question may be, do you know how to do God's will? In this episode of the Orchard Podcast, we will discuss the topic of knowing and doing God's will. This is the time of the year when we are looking toward the future and wondering what God may have in store for...

In this final episode of 2024, with the Christmas season upon us, we discuss the concluding words of Jesus' most famous sermon, while also talking a bit about Clark Griswold, Christmas lights, and the birth of Jesus. We also introduce our new book that just hit Amazon and Barnes and Noble this month called "Repairers of the Breach." Click here to learn more about our new book: https://www.amazon.c...

If Jesus had Google Maps, would He take the fastest route—or the one less traveled? In this episode, we dive into Matthew 7:13-23 to explore how following the way of Jesus is about more than directions. It’s about transformation. Discover how walking His path shapes our lives today, leading us to love God and others more deeply.

What does a sandwich, a plank, a window, and gold have to do with each other? In this episode, we will talk about each of these as they relate to Jesus' teaching about loving other people. We are working our way through Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and we will discuss the first few verses of chapter seven in this episode. We would love to hear your thoughts, feedback, or comments related to this epi...