Shows
Bible in LifeLoving Jesus, Obedience, and Grace | John 14:18-21Loving Jesus and Keeping His Commands | John 14:18-21
Jesus says, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." So what does that mean when we fail to keep his commands? What about someone who loves Jesus and desires to remain in Him, but doesn't always keep His commands? Do that person actually love Jesus?
In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, we explore the relationship between loving Jesus, obedience, and God's grace.
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2026-01-2220 minBible in LifeJohn 1:14 and the Tabernacle - A Christmas ReflectionJohn 1:14 and the Tabernacle - A Christmas Reflection
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
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The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bi...
2025-12-2412 minBible in LifeWhat difference does grace make? | Titus 2:11-14What difference does grace make?
In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, John reflects on Titus 2:11-14, considering four key differences the grace of God makes in our life.
Titus 2:11-14
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and in a godly manner in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from e...
2025-10-1717 minBible in LifeSound Teaching Leads to Sound Living | Titus 1:10-16Sound Teaching Leads to Sound Living
What are some indicators of unsound teachers in the church? Why does sound teach matter so much? In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, John reflects on Titus 1:10-16 to answer these questions.
Titus 1:10-16
10 For there are many rebellious people, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evi...
2025-10-0220 minBible in LifeExpect Little Change Without ThisExpect Little Change Without This
In this episode John reflects on the importance of self-awareness, self-honesty, and confession for spiritual growth and human flourishing.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
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2025-08-2121 minBible in LifeIs Discipleship the Wrong Paradigm for the Church Today? | A Conversation with Kyle StrobelIs Discipleship the Wrong Paradigm for the Church Today? | A Conversation with Kyle Strobel
Kyle Strobel is a theologian at Biola University focused on spiritual theology, and he is the head of the Institute of Spiritual Formation at Talbot School of Theology. He’s also a teaching elder at his church. He, along with John Coe, has written what I consider to be one of the best books on prayer titled Where Prayer Becomes Real.
Earlier this year via his Substack, Kyle sent out a blog titled “Why Discipleship Doesn’t Work,” which pointed to the releas...
2025-06-2645 minBible in LifeWhat does it mean that Jesus preached to the spirits in prison? | 1 Peter 3:18-21What does it mean that Jesus preached to the spirits in prison? | 1 Peter 3:18-21
In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast John and Steven think through 1 Peter 3:18-21. What does it mean that Jesus preached to the spirits in prison? And what does it mean that baptism saves you?
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2025-05-1524 minBible in LifeWhat Does the Backstory to 1 Peter Have to Say about our Political Situation TodayWhat Does the Backstory to 1 Peter Have to Say about our Political Situation Today
In this episode of the Bible and Life podcast John and Steven reflect on the situation facing the original audience of 1 Peter and the difference that makes to our life today.
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The...
2025-05-0823 minBible in LifeLearning Lifestyle Evangelism from 1 PeterLearning Lifestyle Evangelism from 1 Peter
In the episode of the Bible in Life podcast, John and Steven reflect on 1 Peter and what it teaches about lifestyle evangelism. Two key Bible passages from 1 Peter in this episode are:
1 Peter 3:14-15 - Always be ready to give an answer
14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be in dread, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account...
2025-05-0120 minBible in LifeMaking the Bible Central to Your Life, with Philip NationIn this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, John visits with Philip Nation, Vice President of Thomas Nelson Bibles.
Philip Nation
Philip Nation is the Vice-President/Publisher of Thomas Nelson Bibles. He has served as a pastor, church planter, and education minister in local churches. He frequently travels to speak in churches and for conferences. Philip earned a Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has authored and edited numerous books and Bible studies. Philip is a University Fellow for Arizona Christian University and has been a professor for Union University and H...
2025-04-2435 minBible in LifeA Basic Theology of Spiritual GrowthA Basic Theology of Spiritual Growth
Using Aristotle's four causes as a tool to think through the nature of spiritual growth, John provides a basic spiritual theology: what is the "material" spiritual growth works with and on? What is the essence of spiritual growth? What is the key thing that brings about spiritual growth? And what is the aim or goal of spiritual growth in our lives?
Key passages mentioned in this episode:
Galatians 2:20
Luke 6:40
Galatians 5:16-24
John 15:1-11
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2025-03-1424 minBible in LifeDoes Grace Mean God Lowers the Standard? | 1 JohnDoes Grace Mean God Lowers the Standard? | 1 John
In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, John and Steven explore this question: Does grace mean God lowers the bar of his expectations for his children? Does it mean since he knows they'll never actually measure up that he just lowers the standard? Should we are Christians act like sin is no big deal because God is gracious?
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2025-03-0717 minBible in LifeThose Born of God Do Not Sin??? | 1 John 3Those Born of God Do Not Sin??? | 1 John 3
In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, John and Steven reflect on the nature of sin. Is sin merely breaking God's rules or some religious laws? If we're forgiven, does God no longer see our sin? And what does John mean by saying the person who is born of God does not sin?
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2025-02-2723 minBible in LifeIf our sins are forgiven, why do we need to confess them? | 1 John 1:9If our sins are forgiven, why do we need to confess them?
First John 1:9 states, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." But if our sins are already forgiven, why do need to confess them?
That's the question Steven and John explore in this episode of the Bible in Life podcast.
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2025-02-2025 minBible in LifeHow Does the Faith Get Passed on From Generation to Generation?How Does the Faith Get Passed on From Generation to Generation?
In the episode of the Bible in Life podcast, John explores 1 Timothy 1:1-2 and reflects on how the faith gets passed down from one generation to the next.
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2025-02-1333 minBible in LifeA With-God LifeA With-God Life
The heart of living as a disciple of Jesus is living a with-God life. This is fundamentally what it means to "walk by or with the Spirit" in Galatians 5:16. This is what Jesus taught us when he said "abide in me" (John 15:1-11).
This is the remedy for our deepest problems.
Book: Where Prayer Becomes Real
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2025-01-1017 minBible in LifeBonus Episode with Sam Sorbo - Christmas all Year, Homeschooling, College, and MoreBonus Episode with Sam Sorbo
A special bonus episode of the Bible in Life podcast featuring actress, author, speaker and homechooling advocate Sam Sorbo. Sam is married to actor Kevin Sorbo. They have raised three kids, whom Sam passionately homeschooled.
Sam and Kevin recently released a new Christmas devotional titled Christmas for 40 Days: A Loving Celebration- https://shop.sorbostudios.com/product/p/rnqjkqv
In this wide-ranging conversation Sam and John talk about the Sorbo's love for Christmas and what Sam's hope is for this new Christmas devotional. We also talk about Sam's passion fo...
2024-12-0945 minBible in LifeWhat Does It Mean to Forgive? | Matthew 18:15-35What Does It Mean to Forgive? | Matthew 18:15-35
In a conversation with Peter, Jesus instructs us to forgive 70 times 7. He then tells a story that shows us what forgiveness actually means, and it's incredibly helpful. In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast John shares a sermon exploring how we deal with sin in the new family of Jesus and what it means to forgive.
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2024-11-2232 minBible in LifeWhy Melchizedek Matters | Hebrews 7Why Melchizedek Matters | Hebrews 7
In the episode of the Bible in Life podcast, John preaches on Hebrews 7 and intriguing Bible character named Melchizedek. Why does author of Hebrews bring up Melchizedek and why does it matter for us today?
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The Listener’s Commentary - In-dep...
2024-11-1535 minBible in LifeWhat Does it Mean that Elders Must Manage Their Household Well? | 1 Timothy 3:4-5What Does it Mean that Elders Must Manage Their Household Well? | 1 Timothy 3:4-5
4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?)
In this episode of the Bible in Life John and Steven discuss what exactly it means that church leaders must manage their own household well. And what about the parallel in Titus 1:6 about having children who believe? Does having an a...
2024-11-0724 minBible in LifeWhy Rewards Matter | Rewards pt 4Why Rewards Matter | Rewards pt 4
In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, John and Steven wrap up their discussion of rewards in heaven by exploring the question of why learning what the Bible says about rewards matters.
Many of the passages where the idea of rewards shows up have to do with endurance:
Matthew 5:10-12
10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evi...
2024-11-0122 minBible in LifeAre there Degrees of Rewards? | Rewards, pt. 3Are there Degrees of Rewards? | Rewards, pt. 3
Some passages, especially in the parables of Jesus such as the parable of the minas in Luke 19, seem to suggest that there are degrees of rewards. That is, some people get more than others.
But other Bible passages seem at odds with that.
So in the episode of the Bible in Life podcast, Steven and John wrestle with the question, Are there degrees of reward in heaven?
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2024-10-2523 minBible in LifeWhat kinds of rewards are promised to us? | Rewards, pt. 2What kinds of rewards are promised to us? | Rewards, pt. 2
In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, Steven and John explore the kinds of things promised to God's people as rewards. And the distinctive thing is that the rewards promised fit the person and their life. In other words, the rewards aren't arbitrary.
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2024-10-1722 minBible in LifeIs it Wrong to Hope for a Reward from God? | Rewards, pt. 1Is it Wrong to Hope for a Reward from God? | Rewards, pt. 1
In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, John and Steven introduce the topic of rewards in heaven and explore if it's in some way less honorable to seek God for a good reward.
Bible Passages mentioned:
Hebrews 11
6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him.
9 By faith he lived as a...
2024-10-1020 minBible in LifeGoodness and GratitudeGoodness and Gratitude
The basic human response to God as their Creator is gratitude according to Romans 1:21 (which Paul says humans typically fail to do). In this episode of the Bible in Life, John offers a reflection on what we can be grateful for and what ultimately that means for our life as followers of Jesus.
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2024-09-1913 minBible in LifeHow can we pray without ceasing and other questionsHow can we pray without ceasing and other questions
On this episode of the Bible in Life podcast Steven asks John several lingering questions related to practicing the way of Jesus.
-How can we pray without ceasing?
-How can we measure spiritual growth?
-Besides the spiritual disciplines, what are some other factors that are important to spiritual growth?
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2024-08-2923 minBible in LifeCan we really be holy?Can we really be holy?
This question derives from the reaction of a number of Christians who suppose that we’re so sinful we could never really ever be holy. Some have even said that to suggest that Christians can and should be holy by default indicates some sort of legalism or self-righteousness or works righteousness or something like that.
So in this episode of the Bible in Life podcast John and Steven explore that question, can we really be holy?
Key Bible verses:
-1 Pet 1:14-16
14 As obedient children...
2024-08-2122 minBible in LifeThe Mission of Jesus and Becoming ChristlikeThe Mission of Jesus and Becoming Christlike
Being a disciple means arranging your life to be with Jesus in order to become like Jesus.
And being like him entails two aspects - becoming like him in character and like him in mission. So what does it mean to become like Jesus in mission?
On this episode of the Bible in Life podcast John and Steven explore how we can be involved in the mission of Jesus.
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2024-08-1525 minBible in LifeGod's Part and Our Part in Becoming Like JesusGod's Part and Our Part in Becoming Like Jesus
In this episode of Bible in Life podcast, John and Steven discuss this question: how do we cooperate with God to become like Jesus?
We explore Roman 6, looking at what God has done to make Christlikeness possible and what we need to do in order to embody that truth.
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2024-08-0124 minBible in LifeBecoming Like JesusBecoming Like Jesus
In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, John and Steven explore why becoming like Jesus is the very best thing we could ever do. It's good for us, good for our families, good for our communities and the world.
And it's right in sync with who we are as human beings!
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2024-07-1025 minBible in LifeBeing with JesusBeing with Jesus
At the core of being a disciple is being with your rabbi. In our case that means being with Jesus. But it's different now than it was when Jesus physically walked the hills of Galilee with his disciples. So how can we be with Jesus today?
That's the question John and Steven explore in this episode of the Bible in Life podcast.
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2024-07-0331 minBible in LifeBeing a Disciple of JesusBeing a Disciple of Jesus
Jesus' call to us is NOT to be a good church member. His call is to be his disciple. What is a disciple? What did Jesus picture when he calls us to be disciples?
On this episode, we begin a new era of the Bible in Life podcast by bringing in Steven Norris to cohost the show with John, and they begin by exploring this central them of discipleship to Jesus.
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2024-06-2628 minBible in LifeHow to Have Peace in an Un-peaceful World | Advent 2023How to Have Peace in an Un-peaceful World | Advent 2023
The angels announcing the news of Jesus' birth proclaimed,"Peace on Earth!"
But ...
Even though Jesus has come, the world is still full of unpeace. Wars. Famine. Political infighting. Hostility. Inflation. Conflict of all kinds.
Where's the peace and how can I have it?
Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33.
Let's tal...
2023-12-2119 minBible in LifeDeconstructing without Deconverting - John MarriottSean McDowell and John Marriott authored a new book entitled Set Adrift. It's a fantastic guide to help someone wrestling with what they believe without giving up on their faith altogether.
In this episode, I discuss the topic of deconstructing without deconverting with John Marriott.
John teaches at Biola University and Whittier Christian High School. He has a Phd in Intercultural Studies and his expertise is this very topic of deconstruction.
For resources and more about John: https://www.johnmarriott.org
To buy Set Adrift: https://amzn.to/3S7crfc
...
2023-10-2641 minBible in LifeUnderstanding the Bible is Not the Final Aim of Your Bible ReadingWe often make two opposite errors when reading the Bible. On one hand, too often we bypass understanding the original meaning altogether and go straight to "what this says to me." On the other hand, we exegete the text and strive to grasp the author's intended meaning (Inductive Bible Study from last week's episode) and stop there thinking we've completed the task.
Neither of these approaches to the Bible honor the full nature of what the Bible is. We've got to understand the text but there's more to a God-honoring reading than that.
What is th...
2023-07-2720 minBible in LifeHow to Study the Bible?How do you study the Bible?
Sine the Bible is an old book and a big book, how can you read it to understand it? In this episode of the Bible in Life, John explores the Inductive Bible Study method and gives an example from Psalm 1.
Inductive Bible Study consists of three parts: Observation, Interpretation, Application.
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2023-07-2019 minBible in LifeYour Focus and Your Peace (Philippians 4) | Your Life’s Focus, pt. 5Life is marked by uncertainty. And uncertainty often leads to distress.
Not knowing what to do, not knowing what’s going to happen, not knowing what other people are thinking and feeling—these situations are ripe to breed anxiety in anyone.
Ultimately there’s no escape from living with uncertainty, for anyone.
But there is a way to have peace in the midst of uncertainty. And Paul shows us that in Philippians 4:4-9.
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2023-05-2520 minBible in LifeWhere Do Your Identity and Values Come From? (Philippians 3:17-20) | Your Life’s Focus, pt. 4Values.
Custom.
Ambitions.
Practices.
Every culture has them.
Where do you get yours?
Your way of life/being/acting displays the values of the culture you belong to.
As followers of King Jesus, we are citizens of heaven and heaven's culture must shape our way of life as we live in the midst of the culture around us.
Phiippians 3:20 says, "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ."
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2023-05-1826 minBible in LifeWhat Are You Living For? (Philippians 3) | Your Life’s Focus, pt. 3What do you really want in life? What do you want so much that it would be worth giving up whatever is necessary for you to get?
In Philippians 3, Paul uses his example to show us that Christ is the supreme treasure that is worth forsaking all other treasures in order to acquire. Everything in our life is like trash compared to gaining Christ. Everything we think is valuable is nothing compared to Christ. The greatest thing in the universe is to gain and know Christ.
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2023-05-1226 minBible in LifeThe Key to Harmony (Philippians 2) | Your Life’s Focus, pt. 2Peace and harmony with your fellow Christians is God’s will, and that means it’s also your responsibility. If God’s wants it, then we have to want it … and want it enough to work at it.
So how do we do it?
In Philippians 2:3-8, Paul gives what I believe is the single most important bit of relational advice you’ll ever get for having harmony in your relationships.
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2023-05-0423 minBible in LifeHow Do You Evaluate Your Circumstances? (Philippians 1) | Your Life’s Focus, pt. 1Philippians 1:12-21
In this passage Paul models for us what it would it look like to measure our circumstances in light of the gospel. So often our answer to the question “how are you doing?” has to do with whether our circumstances are positive or negative. But what would it look like for us to put the wellbeing of the gospel first? What if we lived our life for the sake of the gospel?
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2023-04-2722 minBible in LifeIs the King James the Best Translation?Is the KJV the best Bible translation?
This question is so important because unfortunately there is a contingent of people who keep spreading falsehoods about the KJV versus the newer translations. So...
Is there an "inspired" translation?
Why are there some differences between the KJV and other versions?
And how do Bible translations work?
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2023-04-2022 minBible in LifeThe Power of Knowing Where You’re At“What keeps you encouraged?”
That was the question. And my answer in short is, I know where we're at in the story.
In this episode, I unpack what that means.
Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible:
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The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you...
2023-04-1316 minBible in LifePower, Authority, and the CrossThe way of the cross changes our use of power.
Mark 10:32-45
32 Now they were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him,33 saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to t...
2023-04-0636 minBible in LifeA Disciple’s Mode of Operating | Be and Make Disciples, pt. 9In this final episode of our Be and Make Disciples series, we answer the question: What is the disciple's mode of operating?
And to answer that we reflect on two passages from Galatians 5.
Galatians 5:5-6
5 For we, through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
Galatians 5:16
Walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
In short, a disciples by faith working throug...
2023-03-3024 minBible in LifeDiscipling Others -Some Nuts and Bolts | Be and Make Disciples, pt. 8How do you disciple someone else?
In this episode, we explore just a few specific tips and practices for have an effective discipling relationship with someone else.
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2023-03-2319 minBible in LifeThe Best Climate for Discipleship | Be and Make Disciples, pt. 7What climate is necessary for us to thrive as disciples?
What climate is best for making disciples?
A climate of grace and truth.
Why is this? The biblical answer to that question is that we are made in the image of God. God is truth and God is love. So that means that as human beings we are made to run on grace and truth
This is the climate in which human beings flourish.
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2023-03-1723 minBible in LifeGrow in Faith Together | Be and Make Disciples, pt. 6The discipleship path entails growing in faith. But that doesn't happen alone. Discipleship always happens through a life-on-life transfer. We learn from each other. We practice the "one anothers" with each other. We provide concrete examples of following Jesus for each other.
Growing in faith happens together.
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2023-03-0920 minBible in LifeThis Discipleship Path | Be and Make Disciples, pt. 5Being a disciple means you attach yourself to Jesus to become like Jesus. The goal is to become like him in character and mission.
How do you go from new follower of Jesus to substantially like Jesus?
What's the path?
If you're helping somebody grow as a disciple, what's the path you should be guiding them along?
If you're a pastor, does your church have a clear path that guides someone from new believer to mature disciple?
We need a discipleship path.
ree 30 Page eBook to help you H...
2023-03-0324 minBible in LifeWhere Does Discipleship Start? | Be and Make Disciples, pt. 4Where does discipleship start?
What is the goal discipleship aims at?
In this episode, we explore the catalyst for and goal of living as a disciples of Jesus.
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2023-02-2319 minBible in LifeWhat is the Gospel? | Be and Make Disciples, pt. 3What is the Gospel?
This question is terribly to the topic of discipleship because as Bill Hull and Ben Sobels say, "The gospel you preach determines the disciples you make" ... and it will determine the kind of disciple you are as well.
And unfortunately, the typical gospel in the evangelical church has been really good at making church members with a ticket to heaven but not disciples of Jesus.
So what is the gospel Jesus and the apostles preached? Tune it to find out.
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2023-02-1616 minBible in LifeWhat would it be like to be discipled by Jesus? | Be and Make Disciples, pt. 2Be and Make Disciples
This episode explores the question, What would it have been like to be discipled by Jesus?
We can answer this question by reading the Gospels. There was this well-known line from the Mishnah about being “covered in the dust” of your rabbi. It reflects both traveling behind him learning as you discuss important topics and sitting at his feet as he taught in a house. This is exactly what we see in the gospels. In the Gospels, we see Jesus discipling the disciples.
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2023-02-0920 minBible in LifeWhat is the Mission of Your Life? | Be and Make DisciplesMatthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
What is a disciple?
How do you make one?
Why does it matter?
In this episode we kick off a new ser...
2023-02-0222 minBible in LifeThe Two Most Important Practices for Spiritual GrowthThis episode of the Bible in Life explores the two fundamental practices for spiritual growth and how to practice them consistently and in a way the actually leads to growth. If you want to grow spiritually this year, these two practices are the key.
Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible:
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2023-01-1919 minBible in LifeFive Implications of the Fact that We’re Still Waiting for the Restoration of All ThingsThis episode explores 5 implications of the fact that we living between the now and the not yet and are still waiting for the restoration of all things.
Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible:
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Support this ministry:
Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.
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The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible fo...
2023-01-1225 minBible in LifeWhat Are We Still Waiting For? | Advent 2022
Advent 2022
Over the next several weeks, I want to consider the story we believe is the the true story of the world leading up to the coming of the Messiah and then go beyond that to what we’re still waiting for today.
We’ll look at the promise and its initial fulfillment and then its final fulfillment when Christ comes again.
Even though Jesus came as the initial fulfillment of the advent hope, the waiting isn't over. So in this episode, we explore what it is that we're still waiting for... what is our final hope?
Free 30 Page eBook to...
2023-01-0521 minBible in LifeYou Are Here | Advent 2022
Advent 2022
Over the next several weeks, I want to consider the story we believe is the the true story of the world leading up to the coming of the Messiah and then go beyond that to what we’re still waiting for today.
We’ll look at the promise and its initial fulfillment and then its final fulfillment when Christ comes again.
In our last episode we reflected on the coming of Jesus, the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham and the advent hope. But ... the waiting isn't over.
Jesus came. Jesus died and rose again. The Spirit has been poured o...
2022-12-2915 minBible in LifeJesus, The Messiah | Advent 2022
Advent 2022
Over the next several weeks, I want to consider the story we believe is the the true story of the world leading up to the coming of the Messiah and then go beyond that to what we’re still waiting for today.
We’ll look at the promise and its initial fulfillment and then its final fulfillment when Christ comes again.
In this episode, we reflect on the coming of the Messiah in answer to Israel's deepest longings and hopes... and what that means for us today.
Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bibl...
2022-12-2224 minBible in LifeExile - Cut Down but Not Abandoned | Advent 2022Advent 2022
Over the next several weeks, I want to consider the story we believe is the the true story of the world leading up to the coming of the Messiah and then go beyond that to what we’re still waiting for today.
We’ll look at the promise and its initial fulfillment and then its final fulfillment when Christ comes again.
In this episode we consider the theme of exile and how being forsaken because of their unfaithfulness led to real loss, and how that led to longing and hoping and waiting for God to act. Israel may ha...
2022-12-1521 minBible in LifeIsrael - Unfaithfulness and Promise | Advent 2022
Advent 2022
Over the next several weeks, I want to consider the story we believe is the the true story of the world leading up to the coming of the Messiah and then go beyond that to what we’re still waiting for today.
We’ll look at the promise and its initial fulfillment and then its final fulfillment when Christ comes again.
In this episode we consider the nation of Israel, a key part of the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham. Their story shows us God's faithfulness even when we're unfaithful. Their story is one of covenant and failure… of bless...
2022-12-0828 minBible in LifeThe Promise - Abraham: Advent 2022Advent 2022
Over the next several weeks, I want to consider the story we believe is the the true story of the world leading up to the coming of the Messiah and then go beyond that to what we’re still waiting for today.
We’ll look at the promise and its initial fulfillment and then its final fulfillment when Christ comes again.
In this episode, we look Abraham and the promise that through his offspring all the nations of the earth would be blessed.
Gen 12:1-3
Now the Lord said to...
2022-12-0218 minBible in LifePractice Gratitude | 1 Thessalonians 5:181 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."
Gratitude can be commanded because it can be intentionally practiced. And it's good for us to do so... that's why God in his goodness and wisdom calls us to be grateful.
This episode encourages us to intentionally practice gratitude.
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2022-11-2321 minBible in LifePerfecting Holiness | 2 Corinthians 7:12 Corinthians 7:1 says, "Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."
In this episode we reflect on what it looks like to perfect holiness in the fear of God.
Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible:
https://www.johnwhittaker.net
Support this ministry:
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Episode webpage:
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2022-11-1116 minBible in LifeWhat Bible Translation Should You Use?There are so many Bible translations out there. Which translation is a good one? How should you use translations for Bible study? And what are some good study Bibles?
Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible:
https://www.johnwhittaker.net
Study Bibles:
ESV Study Bible - https://amzn.to/3U8FpcA
Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible - https://amzn.to/3DAZCAL
Archaeology Study Bible - https://amzn.to/3FMsjNY
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2022-11-0417 minBible in LifeA Familiar Verse that Means More than You Think | 2 Corinthians 5:21Sometimes a verse becomes so familiar, we can actually miss its meaning. Or miss some of its meaning.
I think that's the case with 2 Corinthians 5:21:
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
We assume we know what this is talking about, and we think it's talking about how God declared us righteous through Jesus' death.
But it actually means more than that. So tune in, and let's explore this verse together.
Philippians art...
2022-10-2820 minBible in LifeHow can Paul have joy while in Roman custody? | PhilippiansWhen Paul writes Philippians, he's in custody in Rome. He hasn't been able to travel and preach for nearly 4 years. Yet Philippians is known as the epistle of joy. Why is that?
It has to do with what mattered most to Paul... with where he found his life and joy.
He models this for us in both the letter to the Philippians and in Acts 16 when he started the church in Philippi.
Overview of Philippians article:
https://renew.org/summary-of-philippians/
Free 30 Page eBook to help you H...
2022-10-2118 minBible in LifeThe Power of an Eternal Perspective | 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:8In 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10, Paul models for us the power of an eternal perspective.
Life isn't easy. There's hardships, disappointments, sickness, pain, and death.
As Christ's apostle, Paul experienced all the normal hardships of life plus suffering that came for the sake of Jesus. But Paul says he didn't lose heart; instead he was of good courage.
How so?
He had an eternal perspective!
And we must have one too. We must fan into flame our hope so we don't lose heart.
Free 30 Page eBook to help...
2022-10-1323 minBible in LifeUnveiled Faces and Transformation | Reflections on 2 Corinthians 3This episode of the Bible in Life reflects on 2 Corinthians 3:18:
"But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit."
-2 Corinthians 3:18
What's the significance of "unveiled faces"? What does it have to do with transformation? And how does all of this fit into the context of 2 Corinthians 3?
Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible:
https://www.johnwhittaker.net
2022-09-2920 minBible in LifeStruggling with Prayer | Matthew 7:7-11Praying.
It's important. I admire people who are good at it. But I struggle with it... and I've met many people who also struggle with it.
In this episode, I reflect on my own struggles with prayer and with lies at the heart praying faithfully.
Matthew 7:7-11
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what person...
2022-09-2219 minBible in LifeHow do you justify the bad behavior of Bible heroes like David?I received this question from a listener: How can Christians justify David's behavior (war crimes, adultery, murder, etc)? This is an important question that has to do with the nature of the Bible and how to read it.
So, how do we justify bad behavior like this ... or do we?
Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible:
https://www.johnwhittaker.net
Support this ministry:
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2022-09-1616 minBible in LifeArchaeology and the Bible - Real HistoryThe Bible is more than a book of inspiration or religious rules. It also describes history ... God's work in history - in the real world of space and time. This is how God chose to reveal himself. Archaeology helps us understand the world of the Bible and see how reliable the Bible's history is.
For a good introduction to the topic of Archaeology and the Bible see Titus Kennedy's book Unearthing the Bible. Click the link below:
https://amzn.to/3RjRI4l
Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed th...
2022-09-0821 minBible in LifeWhat Kind of Authority Figure is God?God is the absolute boss, but what kind of boss is he?
It is pretty common today to be suspicious of and to distrust authority. There's been so many bad authority figures and so much misuse of authority, that it's easy to react negatively to authority in general.
From politics to teachers to bosses and sadly even to parents, there have been plenty of self-serving, power hungry, and mean-spirited authority figures. And thus, we could react to God's authority from that place of suspicion and distrust.
But how authority gets used really depends on...
2022-09-0121 minBible in LifeNot My Own - 1 Corinthians 6:19-201 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
We don’t actually own ourselves, our life, or even our body. This is true for all humans; it’s doubly true for us as followers of Jesus because we have been bought by God and belong to him. We are not our own. This is just a fundamental fact of beco...
2022-08-1821 minBible in LifeWhat’s the Most Fundamental Act of Following Jesus?Matthew 16:24-27
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what good will it do a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what will a person give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay...
2022-08-1124 minBible in LifeWhat Makes the Bible Authoritative?What makes the Bible authoritative?
The Bible is so old and out of date….why would anyone listen to it?!
Why should it have any authority in our lives?
Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible:
https://www.johnwhittaker.net
Support this ministry:
Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.
http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/
The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you...
2022-08-0423 minBible in LifeThe Fear of the Lord - Proverbs 9:10The fear of God ... we don't talk about it much any more, and yet according to the Bible it's one of the best things for us. It's the source of wisdom and leads us into life! It's good for us. So in this episode we explore what it means to fear the Lord, how it provides wisdom, and sets us free from being self-willed.
Key Texts:
Titus 1:7
Proverbs 9:10
2 Corinthians 5:10-11
Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible:
https://www.johnwhittaker.net
...
2022-07-2823 minBible in LifeGod is the Absolute BossI've been doing a lot of reflecting on the authority of God, the fear of God, and the rise of the autonomous self. I'm concerned that all too often, people who say they are followers of Jesus still live as if they have autonomy and authority over their own life ... not God. Even though they say Jesus is Lord, when push comes to shove, they are the ultimate authority in their life. And that's not good for them or anyone else.
In this episode, we reflect on the fact that the fundamental starting point of following Jesus is...
2022-07-2120 minBible in LifeThe Holy Spirit is Central to Your Life | The Holy Spirit, pt. 5The Holy Spirit is central to our Christian life. His presence with us is one of the new things of age of Messiah. He is now God with us, knitting us together into one people of God (1 Cor 12:13) and transforming us.
Galatians 5:14-17
14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the fles...
2022-07-0721 minBible in LifeWhat’s On Your Mind - Romans 8 | The Holy Spirit, pt. 4The Holy Spirit is God with us now, and walking by the Spirit is the solution to the dominance of the flesh. What does it mean to walk by the Spirit? Walking by the Spirit means going about life with the Spirit as your walking partner. You have the opportunity to have God be your closest companion in life!
Romans 8:5-14 goes on to instruct us that walking by the Spirit involves our mind, specifically what we fill our mind with and what we focus our attention on. And the result of this is that we can pu...
2022-06-3026 minBible in LifeRomans 8 - Walking by the Spirit | Holy Spirit, pt. 3The Christian life is life in the Spirit. He empowers us to live the way God has called and created us to live. One of the key ways that's expressed in the New Testament is "walking by the Spirit."
What does it mean to walk by the Spirit?
How do we do that?
In this episode, we look at Romans 8:1-4 and reflect on what it means to walk by the Spirit.
Book: Walking in the Spirit, by Ken Berding.
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2022-06-2323 minBible in LifeWhat Difference Does the Holy Spirit Make? | Holy Spirit, pt. 2Since he’s the Spirit of God, that means the Holy Spirit has been around all throughout the biblical story. He was clearly active and involved in God’s work of redemption in the OT:
You see him right at the beginning hovering over the waters of creation
He empowers the craftsmen who build the tabernacle
He anoints kings and prophets (David prays in ps. 51 for God not to take his Spirit from him)
But it seems like it’s a pretty spectacular thing - big deal - when he comes on the Day of Pentecost. So what’s t...
2022-06-1625 minBible in LifeThe Holy Spirit, pt. 1The Holy Spirit, pt. 1.
We are familiar with God the Father. And with Jesus. But the Holy Spirit? Not so much. As one author said, a lot of us feel like He's a the grey blur in our minds eye. In fact, Gordon Fee once said that a lot of Christians, while trinitarian by creed, are "binitarians" in practice. That is, we really only know two members of the Godhead. The Holy Spirit is often unknown.
Who is He and what's His role in our discipleship to Jesus?
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2022-06-0922 minBible in LifeQ and A with My Daughter about Hebrews 3-6My daughter - she's in her early 20's and has two kids - has been reading through the New Testament this year and then discussing what she's reading with me. I recorded our last conversation so I could share it here on the Bible in Life. We discuss questions out of Hebrews 3-6 ... questions like:
-What's the rest mentioned in Hebrews 4?
-Who is Melchizedek and what's the order of Melchizedek?
-What does it mean that it's impossible to renew those who have fallen away to repentance?
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2022-06-0226 minBible in LifeDo We Have the Right Books in the Bible?Do we have the right books in the Bible ... especially in the New Testament?
What about the so-called "missing gospels"?
How did these books get chosen and other books get left out?
Who decided which books were in and which books were out?
All of these questions concern the canon of the New Testament. And there's a lot of misinformation out there about this subject.
Support this ministry:
Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.
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2022-05-2627 minBible in LifeWhat Do the OT Food Laws Have to do with Holiness?Why did God give Israel the food laws?
No bacon. No ham. No shrimp.
What's the point?
And what does it have to do with being holy?
And how is it connect to non-Jews (gentiles) entering into the family of Jesus?
Support this ministry:
Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.
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The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself:
ht...
2022-05-1920 minBible in LifeDidn’t Jesus Want People to Understand His Teaching? | Luke 8:4-21Jesus is famous for teaching in parables. In all three synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), Jesus explains that he teaches in parables so that "seeing they may not see and hearing they may not understand." Which raises a serious question...
Didn't Jesus want people to understand his teaching?
Why would he hide it from them and try to confuse them?
Doesn't he want people to get it so that can repent and be saved?
In this episode of The Bible in Life podcast, we dig in Luke 8:4-21 to explore th...
2022-05-1222 minBible in LifeWhat is the Mission of the Church?What is the mission of the church?
Very often there are lots of different answers given to this question. But there shouldn't be. In fact, I am repeatedly surprised how much confusion there is about this. There should be no confusion.
Jesus made the mission of the church crystal clear.
This is not something we have to wonder about.There should be complete agreement about this. We don’t get to invent it or make up our own.
Jesus already told us.
Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came up and spo...
2022-05-0524 minBible in LifeWhere Do You Live? | Jesus Centered, pt. 3
In this episode we reflect on another importance component of living a Jesus centered life. It has to do with where you live or dwell or abide.
It's found in John 15:1-5:
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
4 Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself b...
2022-01-2023 minBible in LifeThe Word Became Flesh | John 1:14How do you know what God is like?
Do we just guess?
Hope we get it right?
Give up concluding we could never know?
In this episode, I offer another Christmas reflection by looking at John 1:14: "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of the one and only from the Father, full of grace and truth."
Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible
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2021-12-2017 minBible in LifeThe Key to Freedom in ChristIn John 8:31-32, Jesus tells us the key to living free in Him. He says, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
What does it mean to "continue" in His word? And how can we do that?
Check out this episode as we explore the how to live free in Christ by engaging deeply in his word.
Support this ministry:
Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.
h...
2021-10-1223 minBible in LifeIt‘s Time for Joy!In Psalm 43:4, God is described as our "exceeding joy." The Holy Spirit grow joy in us (Galatians 5:22). Jesus wants us to have overflowing joy, and told us the secret to it (John 15:11).
So it's not surprising that the apostles assume that we go through life with incredibly great joy (1 Peter 1:6-9) and called us to live lives of joy (James 1:2 and Philippians 4:4).
When we know Jesus, we have joy!
I hope this episode encourages you as it did me. May we fix our joy on the unshakeable foundation of Jesus and his promises!...
2021-09-2818 minBible in LifeWhy I Am a Christian | Questions of Doubt, pt. 1Faith. Doubt.
The apostle Paul reminds us that "we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). And sometimes walking by faith is hard. Sometimes it's confusing. Sometimes we have questions that nag at our confidence in God or Jesus of the Bible.
In this episode, I begin a new series on questions of doubt by telling my own story of doubt, a time when I really struggled to know for sure whether I believed the story of Jesus or not.
Got a question of doubt you'd like me to address? Email me at joh...
2021-04-0618 min
The BEMA Podcast211: John Whittaker — Blue Jeans TheologyMarty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest John Whittaker. He holds degrees in theology and ministry from Boise Bible College and Cincinnati Bible Seminary, plus a doctorate in preaching from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He served as a professor of preaching and the New Testament for 19 years, spent 11 years planting and pastoring a church, and has taught and preached at various places around the world. He has been teaching people to follow Jesus by learning to hear what the Bible says, and his latest endeavors are more accessible to people than ever. He and his wife, Louise...
2021-03-1852 minBible in LifeCan't come to Jesus unless the Father draws them? (John 6:44) | What did Jesus mean by ...? pt. 2What did Jesus mean by ....? pt. 2
Jesus said "no one comes to the Father except by Me" (John 14:6).
But He also said, "No one can come to Me unless the Father draws them" (John 6:44).
This seems like a catch 22 - you can't get to Father without Jesus and you can't get to Jesus without the Father. What's going on here?
When reading the Bible it's always critical to pay attention to the original context, both historical context and literary context. So in this episode we seek to listen to what Jesus was...
2021-02-2322 minBible in LifeA Life that Counts | Philippians 2:19-30One of the most distinctive things about human beings is our need for meaning. We need meaning to keep going in life. Viktor Frankl's classic, Man's Search for Meaning, even describes how having some meaning enable Jews to survive in Nazi concentration camps during World War 2.
Humans can't exist without meaning.
So how can you live a life that counts? A life with few regrets when you come to the end?
And how should that shape your life as a follower of Jesus?
This episode of the Bible in Life looks at...
2020-11-1727 minBible in LifeJesus was the wrong kind of Messiah, and it's a good thing too! | Mark 8:27-38We like are "saviors" with power. We want them to kick butt and destroy the bad guys! The Jews in the first century like those kinds of saviors too, and that's what they expected the Messiah to be.
But Jesus is the wrong kind of Messiah. He didn't kick butt. He didn't vanquish the Romans.
He got killed.
And he calls us, His followers, to overcome evil the same way ... by laying down our life.
Mark 8:27-38
27 Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Phili...
2020-11-1023 minBible in LifeSuffering: Where is God when life gets hard? | Psalm 23Suffering.
It's a reality. We all experience hardship in some way at some point in life.
And suffering has the power to rock our faith. Are you there God? Don't you care? Why are you letting this happen to me?
Where is God in the midst of our suffering?
In this episode, we explore how Psalm 23 and John 10 speak to this question.
Book:
The Bible and the Land, Gary Burge. Click to following link to check it out.
https://amzn.to/3jAkn3r
2020-10-2721 minBible in LifeHearing God: How Does God Speak to You?How do you discern the voice of God?
Does God speak to us today? If so, how does He speak to us? And how do you know it's his voice not just your own thoughts?
These are important questions that have powerful life implications. And there is a lot of unclear and unhelpful teaching on this topic. What does the Bible say about how to hear God's voice and what it means to be led by the Spirit.
Walking in the Spirit Book:
Click this link to buy the book on...
2020-10-2029 minBible in LifeWho Is God? | John 1:1-5, 14The single most important subject for us to think about is God. Who is he? What is he like? How do who know who He is and what He's like?
A. W. Tozer once said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” And I agree that the stakes are that high - it affects our view of others, how we raise our kids, how we treat our coworkers and neighbors, and even how we view and feel about ourselves.
John 1:1-14 has some powerful insights for who...
2020-10-1326 min
Bible in LifeHow Does Your Vision of God Compare with Jesus' Vision of God - Luke 15The religious leaders of Jesus' day didn't think God would welcome and eat with immoral people. Jesus disagreed. And in the parable of the prodigal son, found in Luke 15, Jesus paints a beautiful portrayal of God that should encourage immoral and moral people alike to receive the Father's compassion and generosity.
Check out John's new parenting book Prepare Them to Flourish at preparethemtoflourish.com
Other ways to connect with John and support the show:
Two ways you can support the show:
Become a patron for as little as $5 per month on hi...
2019-04-1624 min