First Fifteen

Israel was unique in the ancient world, but they often struggled with their God who made them unique, and that power struggle is a feature of every person's story. The central question is: Who will be king? 1 Samuel 8 is more than a story about how Israel gets a king. It's about how they displace the King they already had.  Season five is focused on listening to and praying Bible narratives.  In our podcast we take time to listen to God's word and turn it into prayer.We started season five in 1 Samuel 1-3 before going back to the beginning of the story in Genesis 1. Today's episode catches up with where we started this season and continues Israel's story and Samuel's life in a fascinating clash of power dynamics. Samuel has risen to the place of leadership in Israel as  Judge, the name for Israel's rulers in that day. In 1 Samuel 7 he leads Israel is a definitive victory over their enemies. It's somewhat surprising, then, in 1 Samuel 8 that the people of Israel are so eager to reject his leadership and ask for a king. We learn there's more at play. In fact, it's a spiritual struggle on a national level: Who will be the true king of Israel? Yahweh or a human king who leads an army? The question of who will be king is relevant for today. Will we choose to acknowledge God as King, or will we go after a leader who inspires our confidence in the daily challenges of our culture? Go ahead and get started listening and follow or subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word.We have a Youtube video based on this scripture that you can watch here.The four step process demonstrated in this episode is available here.Angela Oltmanns has written a series of family devotions based on 1 Samuel.  Get a copy of the book 1 Samuel: How to Be a Child After God's Heart on Amazon (or the ebook).Additional resources at https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show

The eyes are a window to the heart. Unless we're striving to do what is right in God's eyes, things are not going to go well for us! That's the message in the book of Judges as part of our series on praying Bible stories. Season five is focused on listening to and praying Bible narratives.  In our podcast we take time to listen to God's word and turn it into prayer.We listen to part of Judges 2 in today's episode. It reveals a pattern that repeats over and over in Israel's early history of living in the land God promised them.What is that pattern? Israel forgets God's works and miracles and the terms of the covenant relationship they have made with him. They go after other gods. Hostile people in and around the land of Canaan come against Israel. They suffer and fall prey to them before crying out for relief and rescue. God raises us a leader (called a Judge) who will lead Israel in victory. God's blessing is with the people...until they repeat the pattern all over again by forgetting God and disobeying him. In the book of Judges there is a lot of dark and wicked things recorded, things that violate God's law and show the depths to which his own people have sunk when they do what is "right in their own eyes" (Judges 21:25). They clearly need a King to rule over them and show them what is right. So do we. When we see the patterns of sin and addiction, disobedience and living for ourselves, there's hope for rescue. It requires repentance and turning back to God. We weren't created to just do what we think is right in our own eyes. We needs God's eyes on us and showing us what's truly good. Connect with us on one of our social channels:Twitter  @WordofPrayer15Instagram @WordofPrayer15 Facebook Page at Word of Prayer 15.Support our show with your purchase of one of our products:Etsy store WordofPrayerAmazon Ron Oltmanns and Angela S OltmannsWe use a four step process for reading/hearing, meditating, praying and then living out scripture from Psalm 1 demonstrated here.Additional resources at https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show

What is the secret to standing strong in faith? We see a specific truth about that in the book of Joshua. Season five is focused on listening to and praying Bible stories or narratives.  In our podcast we take time to listen to God's word and turn it into prayer.We look at four readings from the book of Joshua that tell the story of Israel entering into the land God promised them. First there is a new leader before Israel. With Moses' death, Joshua and chosen to lead the people into the new land. Joshua 1:1-11 gives the charge to Joshua for how he is to lead.In the book of Joshua the people of Israel end their wanderings in the wilderness. Their first victory comes in capturing the ancient city of Jericho.  Just as God delivered them from Egypt by crossing the Sea of Reeds, they now enter Canaan by crossing the Jordan River. Victory is turned to defeat when sin among the ranks takes hold. Joshua 7:1-13 reveals Achan's sin and shows how it must be dealt with before there can be any more conquests.  As the victories continue, Israel takes over a number of Canaanite cities and the land must be divided among the tribes. Joshua 18:1, 8-10 shows how this happened at the place of the holy tent, the tabernacle at Shiloh. In the final chapter (Joshua 24:14-15, 23-28 ), Joshua gives his charge to Israel to purify themselves, choose God and throw away the idols they have been carrying for generations. The challenge is to continue strengthening our faith and take courageous steps to rely on God alone.  After reading these passages, we pray them and practice seeing God powerfully at work delivering us from our enemies, calling out sin, giving us our inheritance and binding us to him in a covenant of love.Connect with us on one of our social channels:Twitter  @WordofPrayer15Instagram @WordofPrayer15 Facebook Page at Word of Prayer 15.Support our show with your purchase of one of our products:Etsy store WordofPrayerAmazon Ron Oltmanns and Angela S OltmannsWe use a four step process for reading/hearing, meditating, praying and then living out scripture from Psalm 1 demonstrated here.Additional resources at https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show

The Psalms lead us in prayer and teach us to pray. Listen to Psalm 2 and pray along with it.Want a fuller devotional based on Psalm 2? Listen to it here in season 3 episode 3 of our podcast.In our regular podcast you can listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day.  It's a perfect way to get started! Enjoy listening to God's word and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more.Season Three features many of the psalms and has a companion book. I encourage you to get a copy  God Help Me Grow: Learning to Pray through the Psalms on Amazon (or ebook)Download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.com  Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

The Psalms lead us in prayer and teach us to pray. Listen to Psalm 1 and pray along with it. Want a fuller devotional based on Psalm 1? Listen to it here in the pilot episode of our podcast.In our regular podcast you can listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day.  It's a perfect way to get started! Enjoy listening to God's word and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more. Season Three features many of the psalms and has a companion book. I encourage you to get a copy  God Help Me Grow: Learning to Pray through the Psalms on Amazon (or ebook)Download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.com  Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

God gave the Law to Moses at Mount Sinai. So why did Moses repeat the law again to the children of Israel in Moab 40 years later? We find out in today's episode.Season five is focused on listening to and praying Bible stories or narratives.  In our podcast we take time to listen to God's word and turn it into prayer.We aren't looking at any specific laws in this episode. Instead we consider the story of why Moses gave the law again and the final events before Israel entered Canaan. We listen to Deuteronomy 1 and 34, the first and last chapter of the book, to get a sense of the story taking place.  Israel and Moses are camped in Moab just east of the Jordan River looking across into the land God has promised them, Canaan. Moses won't enter with the people; instead he dies and God buries him in an undisclosed location in Moab. It is up to Joshua to lead the people to take possession of the land and to live by God's law in it.  We pray this passage and learn to see the mercy of God giving us a second chance and a second hearing of his teaching. Connect with us on one of our social channels:Twitter  @WordofPrayer15Instagram @WordofPrayer15 Facebook Page at Word of Prayer 15.Support our show with your purchase of one of our products:Etsy store WordofPrayerAmazon Ron Oltmanns and Angela S OltmannsWe use a four step process for reading/hearing, meditating, praying and then living out scripture from Psalm 1 demonstrated here.Additional resources at https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

In the wilderness is where God leads, provides, judges and forgives. God gives the Law and tests his people in the wilderness.  After Genesis (actually Exodus 13) all of the the action in the next four books of the Torah/Pentateuch happens in the wilderness. Today's episode is one story from the wilderness that shows God's nature, the people's failure and how to pray in the midst of this. Season five is focused on listening to and praying Bible stories or narratives.  In our podcast we take time to listen to God's word and turn it into prayer. Numbers 14 is our focus in this episode. It happens a year after the exodus from Egypt and right after 12 spies are sent into Canaan to prepare for taking the land. Most of them bring back a good news/bad news report that is tilted toward discouraging the people. You can read the important background in Numbers 13.   In Numbers 14:1-19 the people complain, grumble and want to pick their own leader and head back to Egypt. Joshua and Caleb speak up and encourage faith, but the people won't hear it. God contemplates starting over with Moses, but he pleads for God to be merciful and act according to his nature. Numbers 14:18 echoes Exodus 34:6-7, which is the most quoted passage in the Old Testament.  We pray this passage and learn about how to stay faithful in the wilderness. Connect with us on one of our social channels:Twitter  @WordofPrayer15Instagram @WordofPrayer15 Facebook Page at Word of Prayer 15.Support our show with your purchase of one of our products:Etsy store WordofPrayerAmazon Ron Oltmanns and Angela S OltmannsWe use a four step process for reading/hearing, meditating, praying and then living out scripture from Psalm 1 demonstrated here.Additional resources at https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

Jesus spent time in Africa as a baby, and when the time was full scripture says, "Out of Egypt I called my son."  The meaning of that phrase has a deep resonance that reaches back to the prophets (especially Hosea) and then further back to the prophet Moses.  One of the great stories of the Bible is how God's people came to live in Egypt, slide into slavery and oppression, then see a mighty deliverance from Egypt by God.  Today's episode is about the story of God bringing Israel out of Egypt.  Season five is focused on listening to and praying Bible stories or narratives.  In our podcast we take time to listen to God's word and turn it into prayer.  Genesis 37:2 begins with, "These are the generations of Jacob."  But the very next word after this is Joseph, and in the following chapters Joseph's figure is central to the story.  We've already heard about Jacob in the previous 10 or 11 chapters of Genesis (go back to the previous episode of First Fifteen if you haven't listened to "How Jacob became Israel"). The last 13 chapters of Genesis (37-50) talk mostly about Jacob's sons (see Gen 35:23-26), and they show the remarkable story of how the entire family of Jacob came to live in Egypt.  Exodus begins by naming the sons of Jacob again, but several generations pass and even though their numbers have increased greatly, Israel is reduced to slavery.  430 years pass (Ex 12:40), and God raises up a deliverer named Moses. After God visits plagues upon Egypt, Moses leads the people out of Egypt.  These 31 chapters make for an epic story that takes several hours to read.  It's well worth the time to listen to it; on this podcast, though, we listen to a biblical summary of the events found in Psalm 81.  We take a closer look at the events that happened in Genesis 37-Exodus 18 and also the deeper meaning of this great story.  Much like the cross for Christians, the story of deliverance from Egypt is fundamental to Jewish identity and is retold every year in the celebration of Passover.      Connect with us on one of our social channels:Twitter  @WordofPrayer15Instagram @WordofPrayer15 Facebook Page at Word of Prayer 15.Support our show with your purchase of one of our products:Etsy store WordofPrayerAmazon Ron Oltmanns and Angela S OltmannsWe use a four step process for reading/hearing, meditating, praying and then living out scripture demonstrated here.Additional resources at https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

How do you deal with someone who is slippery? You're not sure you are getting the full story from them or they seem to have other motives or intentions. Some people are pretty good at plotting and planning and getting the better side of a bargain. This might even describe you!  One of those people in the Bible is a man named Jacob. Today's episode is How Jacob became Israel.  Season five is focused on listening to and praying Bible stories or narratives.  In our podcast we take time to listen to God's word and turn it into prayer. Jacob lived a life blessed by God, but he spent a lot of time and effort trying to get more.  He outmaneuvered his older brother Esau and tricked his own father Isaac all so he could have more of God's blessing.  God appeared to him in dreams and he knew from personal experience that God was looking out for his good. Yet he still grasped to get the upper hand.  After 20 years with his father in law Laban, God tells him to return to Canaan. Despite having great wealth and a large family, he was still afraid of his older brother Esau. Today's episode shows Jacob wrestling with his fears about Esau and his doubts about getting the full blessing from God without resorting to elaborate schemes. In Genesis 32-33, Jacob emerges with his name changed to Israel and more importantly encountering the face of God. Take a closer look at Genesis 32:9-12 and Jacob's prayer. In the midst of his elaborate schemes to ensure his safety from his brother Esau, he learns that God is really in control and he doesn't have to grasp or devise his own blessing.  God is working  in this and he has a better plan.    Connect with us on one of our social channels:Twitter  @WordofPrayer15Instagram @WordofPrayer15 Facebook Page at Word of Prayer 15.Support our show with your purchase of one of our products:Etsy store WordofPrayerAmazon Ron Oltmanns and Angela S OltmannsWe use a four step process for reading/hearing, meditating, praying and then living out scripture demonstrated here.Additional resources at https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

The Bible is full of surprises. There is an overarching story that God is directing, and yet he chooses to write it with human characters.  Even when they go “off-script”, God's story will get told, with extra twists and turns included. In season five we're learning to listen to and pray Bible stories or narratives.  In our podcast we take time to listen to God's word, reflect on it and then pray it back to God as well as carry that word with us through the rest of the day. Abram and Sarai were promised great blessing by God, but they also struggle to fully embrace God's timing and methods of working.  Often other people get caught up in the consequences, whether Pharaoh, Abimelech or in today's episode Hagar.  Sarai takes an active role in this chapter of the story much like Eve in Genesis 3.  Hagar has a similar experience to Hannah in 1 Samuel 1-2 (see the early episodes of season 5).  Through her difficulties, she comes to realize that Yahweh is the God who sees me (El Roi) and her son is named God hears (Ishmael), a name very similar in root and meaning to Samuel.    Connect with us on one of our social channels:Twitter  @WordofPrayer15Instagram @WordofPrayer15 Facebook Page at Word of Prayer 15.Support our show with your purchase of one of our products:Etsy store WordofPrayerAmazon Ron Oltmanns and Angela S OltmannsWe use a four step process for reading/hearing, meditating, praying and then living out scripture demonstrated here.Additional resources at https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

When things are going well people sometimes say “I have been so blessed!”  Before the blessing comes, though, how do you act, how do you talk, how do you behave?  How we act before we receive the blessing shows something revealing about our character.  In season five we're learning to listen to and pray Bible stories or narratives.  In our podcast we take time to listen to God's word, reflect on it and then pray it back to God as well as carry that word with us through the rest of the day. Abraham's faith is famous, and three great religions are called "Abrahamic" because they trace their origins back to him (Judaism, Christianity and Islam).  How Abram's faith begins is a fascinating story told in Genesis 11:27-12:20. Abram and Sarai are promised great blessing and a land that their descendants would enjoy...even before they had any descendants.  Some of the early steps they took after arriving in that land (Canaan) and sojourning in another (Egypt) show that they struggled with how to trust God for the blessing he had in mind for them.    Connect with us on one of our social channels:Twitter  @WordofPrayer15Instagram @WordofPrayer15 Facebook Page at Word of Prayer 15.Support our show with your purchase of one of our products:Etsy store WordofPrayerAmazon Ron Oltmanns and Angela S OltmannsWe use a four step process for reading/hearing, meditating, praying and then living out scripture demonstrated here.Additional resources at https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

Stories draw us in.  It's hard to resist listening to a good story that is well told. Stories hold our interest.  What's less obvious is that stories shape us, inspire us and teach us important truths. There is great untapped power in the stories of the Bible. As we learn to pray them we can grow closer to God and experience a growing faith too. In season five we're learning to listen to and pray Bible stories or narratives.  We plunged into the beginning of the story of Samuel first then turned back to Genesis to the beginning of it all.  On today's episode we zoom out to take in the overall storyline of the entire Bible. In our podcast we take time to listen to God's word, reflect on it and then pray it back to God as well as carry that word with us through the rest of the day. The story that God reveals in the Bible can be summarized in six parts: 1. Creation and the royal task (Genesis 1-2) 2. Rebellion and the unravelling (Genesis 3-11) 3. God's covenant with Israel (Gen 12-Malachi) 4. Jesus and the Kingdom of God (Matthew-John)5. The Spread of Jesus' Kingdom People (Acts-Jude)6. The Victory and Return of the King (Revelation)  The longest part of the story that covers the most books of the Bible is #3, which we can detail in three movements:  3. God's covenant with Israel (Gen 12-Malachi)     A. God choose Israel to bless the nations (Genesis 12-Deuteronomy)     B. Israel's royal failure (Joshua-2 Kings)     C. Israel's exile and the prophetic, covenant hope (Ezra-Malachi)How does this help us to pray? The bigger storyline helps us see that this is a God story.  It starts with God and he is active in it (even when that isn't obvious). Prayer orients us properly toward God.Second, it's a moral story about our freedom and failing as humans. In prayer we align ourselves morally with God; we choose him and his ways and acknowledge he is good. Third, this is a covenant story. God makes promises and acts to protect us within a loving relationship.  Prayer is built on God's promises and is a primary way to grow or strengthen our relationship with God.Finally, it's a kingdom story. God of course is King and he reigns over all. Jesus came as King, and the Church's ultimate destiny is to reign with God in his Kingdom. In prayer we acknowledge these truths and we pray in expectant hope for God's kingdom to come in fulness and power, for justice and righteousness to prevail, and for the return of our King. Connect with us on one of our social channels:Twitter  @WordofPrayer15Instagram @WordofPrayer15 Facebook Page at Word of Prayer 15.Support our show with your purchase of one of our products:Etsy store WordofPrayerAmazon Ron Oltmanns and Angela S OltmannsWe use a four step process for reading/hearing, meditating, praying and then living out scripture demonstrated here.Additional resources at https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

What's the tallest building you've ever seen up close?  In Genesis 11 there was a city and a people who decided to build a tower to heaven.  Why they did it and what it meant has a deeper meaning than just a story with a moral about towering pride. In season five we're learning to listen to and pray Bible stories or narratives.  We started in the middle of the story at 1 Samuel 1-3 before turning to beginnings in Genesis.  In all the plot twists and different settings, with the growing list of characters we've seen that God is creating the world and shaping human destiny toward his ultimate purposes.  He meant for humans to rule over creation and fill the earth according to his goodness.  People from the beginning decided to go their own way, to make a name for themselves,  and that sad story gets repeated over and over through the generations with few exceptions.In our podcast we take time to listen to God's word, reflect on it and then pray it back to God as well as carry that word with us through the rest of the day.  The story of the tower of Babel in Genesis 11:1-9 is pretty distinctive.  It's the last story of the universal history in Genesis 1-11, and it's set between two genealogies in Genesis 10 and 11:10-26.  We need to be careful not to mis-read the story by missing the larger context.  After Noah and the flood, the action shifts to his three sons and their descendants.  No one individual is called out, but mankind shows their tendency to disregard God's will and to instead pursue what seems right and good to them.  Three key terms or words in this story stand out:  "name" (shem in Hebrew, see 11:4 and 9), "scattered" (see 11:4, 8 and 9), and "all the land (or earth)" (kol eretz in Hebrew, used 5x in these verses).  The tower of Babel shows a people united in pursuing a human agenda that God opposes.  God ends up scattering the people and confusing their language into many tongues.  The story of Babel forms a clear contrast with the story of Abram that follows it starting in ch. 12.  Connect with us on one of our social channels:Twitter  @WordofPrayer15Instagram @WordofPrayer15 Facebook Page at Word of Prayer 15.Support our show with your purchase of one of our products:Etsy store WordofPrayerAmazon Ron Oltmanns and Angela S OltmannsWe use a four step process for reading/hearing, meditating, praying and then living out scripture demonstrated here.Additional resources at https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

The Great Flood and Noah's Ark is a universal story, a familiar tale to many people regardless of their background or religion.  In the story of the Bible it is a prominent marker on the path that shows us what God is up to in the world. It also tells us a lot about humans. In season five we're learning to listen to and pray Bible stories or narratives.  In Genesis 1-2 we heart about God creating the world in an orderly way and calling it good.  He meant for humans to rule over creation according to his goodness.  People from the beginning decided to go their own way, to know good and evil on their own apart from God's clear teaching, and that sad story gets repeated over and over through the generations with few exceptions.In our podcast we take time to listen to God's word, reflect on it and then pray it back to God as well as carry that word with us through the rest of the day.  The story of the Flood in Genesis 6-9 is crucial for several reasons.  Noah is one man who is righteous, and God uses him to teach us about what a covenant means and the extent he is willing to go to bring hope and second chances to a seriously broken world.  Noah is not perfect, and sin continues to trip up humans even after the flood, but God is working to bring about his plan for humans to have a relationship with him unhindered by sin.This is one of the longest sections of scripture or readings we've ever had on our podcast.  You can also read the story yourself in Genesis 6:9-9:29 if that helps you stay alert and focused.Connect with us on one of our social channels:Twitter  @WordofPrayer15Instagram @WordofPrayer15 Facebook Page at Word of Prayer 15.Support our show with your purchase of one of our products:Etsy store WordofPrayerAmazon Ron Oltmanns and Angela S OltmannsWe use a four step process for reading/hearing, meditating, praying and then living out scripture demonstrated here.Additional resources at https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

“Live long and prosper.” The line  from Star Trek's character Spock is a sentiment common to all human cultures.  Most people who enjoy any kind of quality of life desire to have a long life.  What the Bible says about that challenges our common assumptions.In season five we're listening to Bible stories and learning to pray them.  We started in the middle of things with the beginnings of the story of Samuel before turning back to the very start with creation and how the first couple chose to go their own way, to know good and evil on their own apart from God's clear teaching, followed by their sons engaged in a murderous power struggle with sin.In our podcast we take time to listen to God's word, reflect on it and then pray it back to God as well as carry that word with us through the rest of the day.  We are focusing on narratives or stories in this season.In a previous episode of our podcast we talked about Genesis 5 and emphasized the first few verses and Adam's part in the story when we talked about praying a family tree in Genesis 5.  Listen to the podcast here. The end of chapter 5 mentions Noah and shares some important notes that highlight the stories to come in Genesis 6-9 about the Flood.  One of the words used repeatedly in Genesis to mark a new section of the story is toladoth (generations or family).  In fact, Genesis is divided into ten parts by these sections. 1:1-2:3  Bereshith – In the beginning1) 2:4-4:26  Account of the heavens and the earth 2)  5:1-6:8  Family history of Adam and his descendants3)  6:9-9:29  Family history of Noah and his descendants 4)  10:1-11:9  Family history of Noah's sons Shem, Ham and Japheth5)  11:10-26  Family history of Shem and his descendants 6)  11:27-25:11  Family history of Terah and his descendants7)  25:12-18  Family history of Ishmael and his descendants8)  25:19-35:29  Family history of Isaac and his descendants9)  36:1-37:1  Family history of Esau and his descendants10) 37:2-50:26  Family history of Jacob and his descendantsConnect with us on one of our social channels:Twitter  @WordofPrayer15Instagram @WordofPrayer15 Facebook Page at Word of Prayer 15.Support our show with your purchase of one of our products:Etsy store WordofPrayerAmazon Ron Oltmanns and Angela S OltmannsWe use a four step process for reading/hearing, meditating, praying and then living out scripture demonstrated here.Additional resources at https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

Murder. Intrigue. Outrageous behavior.  Those sound like elements of a crime story.  It's actually part of the story in the first book of the Bible, Genesis 4.  In season five we're listening to Bible stories and learning to pray them.  We started in the middle of things with the beginnings of the story of Samuel before turning back to the very start with creation and how the first couple chose to go their own way, to know good and evil on their own apart from God's clear teaching.In our podcast we take time to listen to God's word, reflect on it and then pray it back to God as well as carry that word with us through the rest of the day.  We are focusing on narratives or stories in this season. From a good God creating the world to mankind's exile from a garden of paradise, we have a narrative about beginnings that includes the effects of disobedience and sin.  When a simple story gets more complicated, we say the plot thickens.   That's what happens in the story of the first two brothers, Cain and Abel and the fallout from sin and the spiral of violence.  Sin leads to death as God told Adam back in Genesis 2, and now man himself is making it happen in an awful way.  Genesis 4 has two main parts:  the story of the first two brothers in which Cain murders Abel, in vv. 1-16, and the descendants of Cain contrasted with a third brother named Seth in vv. 17-26.   One of the wordplays in Genesis 4 that we emphasize is Cain being called a fugitive (na`) and a wanderer (nad) on the earth, and then later he is sent out east of Eden to the land of Nod (wandering).  What is God telling us in this story?  We explore a few messages, one underscoring the seriousness of sin and the need to master it (seen in Cain's life), as well as the spiraling into aggression and violence that Lamech's life shows.  Contrast this with the note about Seth and his son Enosh and the fact that humans at this time began to call on God's name, and we can see that there is an ongoing choice between darkness and deciding good and evil for ourselves, or call on God's name and deciding to serve him.  After this story continue the Genesis narrative by praying the family tree in Genesis 5.  Listen to the podcast here.Connect with us on one of our social channels:Twitter  @WordofPrayer15 Instagram @WordofPrayer15 Facebook Page at Word of Prayer 15.Support our show with your purchase of one of our products:Etsy store WordofPrayerAmazon Ron Oltmanns and Angela S OltmannsWe use a four step process for reading/hearing, meditating, praying and then living out scripture demonstrated here.Additional resources at https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

Most good stories have a strong visual component, and the stories of creation and beginnings in Genesis 1-3 are no different.  In this conversation we explore how the first couple is portrayed imaginatively in art as an extended meditation on the imagery of creation and the fall.   In season five we're learning to pray the most common type of scripture: narrative or stories.  They make up almost half of the Bible so it's important we learn how to read and pray this very common type of Scripture.  In our regular episodes we take time to listen to God's word, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with through the rest of the day.  We use the entire Bible to do that and not just the psalms, prayers or "uplifting" parts of it that seem suited for devotionals.  On today's episode we take time for a conversation between Ron and Angela about the imagery of the early stories and how they have been imagined through the ages. Make sure you follow or subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word.Angela found a series of reliefs with images online that picture creation.  These come from the Orvieto cathedral or Duomo di Orvieto ( aka Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta ) in central Italy.  Six reliefs of creation are on the outside of the church just left of the entrance.  You can see them at http://bit.ly/AdamEveOrvieto  or on the travel channel by Rick Steves here. The Action Bible is a great resource for visually engaging with Bible stories, both for older children and adults who are young at heart.  See our review of this book on our Youtube channel.Want to go deeper into reading narrative parts of scripture?  We recommend these four short videos done by The Bible Project to get you further into reading, understanding and praying Bible stories:   Plot,  Setting,  Characters, and the Bible as Ancient Jewish Meditation Literature.We use a four step process for reading/hearing, meditating, praying and then living out scripture demonstrated here.Additional resources at https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

The goodness of creation and the close relationship that man and woman shared with God gets severely tested and ultimately changed because of a series of decisions.  Genesis 3 takes us from the ideal state of "everything was good" to a serious rupture in the relationship.  What happened?  Is there any hope?    In season five we're listening to Bible stories and learning to pray them.  Our focus today is the very human story of how the first couple on earth used their freedom and choices to go their own way, to know good and evil on their own.In our podcast we take time to listen to God's word, reflect on it and then pray it back to God as well as carry that word with us through the rest of the day.  We use the entire Bible to do that and not just the "uplifting" or inspirational parts of it.  On today's episode we listen to Genesis 3 as a rival to God's voice appears in the garden and small actions with big consequences unfold.Many of the words used in Genesis 1-11 are important even beyond the immediate context of the story and get repeated later on in the stories of the Bible (either verbatim or in echoes).  We’ll return to this point in future episodes.   In this reading, pay attention to the words and themes used repeatedly:  life (and death), seeing (and hiding from sight), and eating.The wordplay in Genesis 2 between the Hebrew word for man, adam, and ground, adamah is carried over and continued here, as well as the  word for woman or wife, ishshah.  In fact, the woman is named a second time at the end of Genesis 3:  she is called Eve , which means "life".  This reading of Genesis 3 is based on a fresh translation from the Hebrew original so we can  ponder what it means before we pray a prayer to God shaped by this passage.This passage is traditionally called The Fall, and we are concerned with identifying the themes and recognizing patterns that intersect with our own lives. We use a four step process for reading/hearing, meditating, praying and then living out scripture demonstrated here.Additional resources at https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

If "In the beginning" is the perfect way to start a story of creation, why not have a flashback and tell the story again but with a close-up camera angle?  That's what Genesis 2 does, touching on some of the common themes already introduced, but advancing the plot and conflict further by zooming in on the human scale of things in a garden.   In season five we're listening to Bible stories and learning to pray them.  They make up almost half of the Bible so it's important we learn how to read and pray this very common type of Scripture. In our podcast we take time to listen to God's word, reflect on it and then pray it back to God as well as carry that word with us through the rest of the day.  We use the entire Bible to do that and not just the "uplifting" or inspirational parts of it.  On today's episode we listen to Genesis 2:4-25 and hear about God creating the world, but from a different perspective than Genesis 1.Genesis 2 gives us a different view of the creation story, a ground level perspective that focuses on the human actors.  We're striving to let the story speak to us with its own logic and power as God teaches us about his purposes in creation. Some of the themes of this chapter are goodness and relationship.  There is an interesting wordplay between the Hebrew word for man, adam, and ground, adamah.   It is repeated so many times it can't be just a coincidence.  Then at the end of chapter two the other word for man or person, ish, is used in contrast to the word for woman or wife, ishshah.  Listen to this fresh reading of Genesis 2 from an original translation from the Hebrew original and then ponder what it means before we pray a prayer to God shaped by this passage.The first three episodes of season 5 focused on 1 Samuel 1-3, and Angela Oltmanns has written a month-long series of family devotions based on 1 Samuel.  Get a copy of the book 1 Samuel: How to Be a Child After God's Heart on Amazon (or the ebook).The Action Bible is a great resource for visually engaging with Bible stories, both for older children and adults who are young at heart.  See our review of this book on our Youtube channel.Want to go deeper into reading Genesis 2?  We emphasize reading the scripture as meditation literature, and we recommend a short video done by The Bible Project to get you further into practice: the Bible as Ancient Jewish Meditation Literature.We use a four step process for reading/hearing, meditating, praying and then living out scripture demonstrated here.Additional resources at https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

"In the beginning" seems like the perfect way to start a story, even better than "once upon a time".  This is especially so if we're telling a true story about things that really happened that answers some of our deepest, most basic questions about where we came from and our place in the world.  In today's episode we are reading Genesis 1 together and going back to the beginning.  In season five we're learning to pray the most common type of scripture: narrative or stories.  They make up almost half of the Bible so it's important we learn how to read and pray this very common type of Scripture.  We also need to grasp the overall storyline of the entire Bible.In our podcast we take time to listen to God's word, reflect on it and then pray it back to God as well as carry that word with us through the rest of the day.  We use the entire Bible to do that and not just the "uplifting" or inspirational parts of it.  On today's episode we listen to Genesis 1:1-2:3 and hear about God creating the world. Genesis 1 has become a battleground even though no fighting or military action is described.  A modern, scientific viewpoint seems to contradict Genesis 1, and a number of people have criticized this account of how the world began for various reasons.  While we acknowledge those debates do influence how we hear this story, we're striving to let the story speak to us with its own logic and power as God speaks creation into existence.  Listen to this fresh reading of Genesis 1 from an original translation from the Hebrew original and then ponder what it means before we pray a prayer to God shaped by this passage.You can follow up this podcast by reading Genesis 1 in another translation or version of the Bible.  I also encourage you to read one of the Psalms that speak about creation:  Psalm 19, 33, ,104 or 148.  Make sure you follow or subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word.Angela Oltmanns has written a month-long series of family devotions based on 1 Samuel.  Get a copy of the book 1 Samuel: How to Be a Child After God's Heart on Amazon (or the ebook).The Action Bible is a great resource for visually engaging with Bible stories, both for older children and adults who are young at heart.  See our review of this book on our Youtube channel.Want to go deeper into reading Genesis 1?  We recommend two short videos done by The Bible Project to get you further into reading, understanding and praying this essential Bible story:  Genesis 1 and the Bible as Ancient Jewish Meditation Literature.We use a four step process for reading/hearing, meditating, praying and then living out scripture demonstrated here.Additional resources at https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

Do you live a storybook life?  Most of us don't.  In fact, our daily routines and happenings often seem so ordinary to us that we seek excitement, adventure or escape through songs, movies or stories of other people that attract us (or at least distract us).  But the truth is, you are living out a story whether or not you are aware of it, and the things that happen in your life become elements of your own personal story.    In season five we're learning to pray the most common type of scripture: narrative or stories.  They make up almost half of the Bible so it's important we learn how to read and pray this very common type of Scripture.  We also need to grasp the overall storyline of the entire Bible.In our regular episodes we take time to listen to God's word, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with through the rest of the day.  We use the entire Bible to do that and not just the psalms, prayers or "uplifting" parts of it that seem suited for devotionals.  On today's episode we take time for a conversation between Ron and Angela about how to read and pray Scripture stories especially in the family setting.1 Samuel 1-3 introduces several parents and children, especially Elkanah and Hannah and their son Samuel along with Eli and his two sons Hophni and Phinehas.  The way the story is told, we notice the contrast between Eli's two wicked sons and young Samuel growing up in Shiloh under Eli's supervision.  One natural question is how is faith formed in children (or deformed by adults making their own choices)?  Ron and Angela reflect on that in light of some of their own experiences and offer some guidance about  intentionally sharing stories from the Bible with young people.Make sure you follow or subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word.Angela Oltmanns has written a month-long series of family devotions based on 1 Samuel.  Get a copy of the book 1 Samuel: How to Be a Child After God's Heart on Amazon (or the ebook).There is also a study based on the stories of Elisha called Spirit of Elisha: A Double Portion for Moms on Amazon (the ebook is here).The Action Bible is a great resource for visually engaging with Bible stories, both for older children and adults who are young at heart.  See our review of this book on our Youtube channel.Want to go deeper into reading narrative parts of scripture?  We recommend these four short videos done by The Bible Project to get you further into reading, understanding and praying Bible stories:   Plot,  Setting,  Characters, and the Bible as Ancient Jewish Meditation Literature. We use a four step process for reading/hearing, meditating, praying and then living out scripture demonstrated here.Additional resources at https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

The story of your life can be told with a few words.  Your story is really about who you are, where you've come from, what you're overcoming, and where it's all headed.  We get the story of Samuel's life in summary form in 1 Samuel 3 as he first hears the word of the Lord and has to decide how to respond to it.  In season five we're learning to pray the most common type of scripture: narrative or stories.  They make up almost half of the Bible so it's important we learn how to read and pray this very common type of Scripture.  We also need to grasp the overall storyline of the entire Bible.If you are getting started in a relationship with God, trying to have a quiet time or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.Spend your first minutes of the day listening to God and responding in a personal way.  This podcast will show you how and teach you in an easy to follow process.We will listen to God's word, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with through the rest of the day.  It's the perfect way to get started in each day's journey of faith!1 Samuel 1-2 sets us up to understand Samuel's background and the important background of Eli and his sons.  By looking at the first three chapters of Samuel, we learn a few key things about stories in general as well as how stories in the Bible are a little different.  We mentioned before the three key parts of any story are the plot, setting and characters.  Plot is the basic action sequence, and two additional parts of it are conflict and resolution.  You really don't have a story without some kind of conflict.  If we didn't have the all-important information from v. 1, we wouldn't really have a conflict in this story.1 Samuel 3 starts and ends with an emphasis on the word of Yahweh, and Samuel's story is distinctive because he listens to God and fearlessly speaks it to others regardless of their position.  That's what makes him a prophet.  Even with the lack of many details, description or even a moral judgment on the actions of the characters, the Bible creates a big impact with a very few words.Go ahead and get started listening and follow or subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. We have a Youtube video based on this scripture that you can watch here.The four step process demonstrated in this episode is available here.Angela Oltmanns has written a series of family devotions based on 1 Samuel.  Get a copy of the book 1 Samuel: How to Be a Child After God's Heart on Amazon (or the ebook).Additional resources at https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

What comes next?! A good story pulls us in and makes us look forward to where we're going next.  In the Bible book of 1 Samuel we start with a sad wife who is ridiculed and she becomes a grateful mother through God's goodness.  What comes next is what we cover today in 1 Samuel 2.  We began season five with a focus on praying the most common type of scripture: narrative or stories.  In this season we will learn to read and pray the half of the Bible filled with narrative or stories and also grasp the overall storyline of the entire Bible in the process.If you are getting started in a relationship with God, trying to have a quiet time or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.Spend your first minutes of the day listening to God and responding in a personal way.  This podcast will show you how and teach you in an easy to follow process.We will listen to God's word, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with through the rest of the day.  It's the perfect way to get started in each day's journey of faith!Like most good stories, we begin this podcast season "in the middle of things" by featuring 1 Samuel 1-3.  By looking at the first three chapters of Samuel, we observe a few key things about stories in general as well as dive into the storyline of scripture.  In later episodes we'll turn to Genesis and then to other narrative parts of the Bible. We mentioned in episode 1 the three key parts of any story are the plot, setting and characters.  Plot is the basic action sequence, setting is where it happens and characters are the main actors we pay attention to in the story.  The setting of today's episode is still ancient Israel over 3,000 years ago in the town of Shiloh.  The key characters are Hannah, Eli and his sons Hophni and Phinehas--and of course God, the hero of every Bible story!  The main plot points are summarized on this episode.  Beyond that, we reflect on the theme of parents and children and how that theme stretches across the books of 1-2 Samuel and really the larger narrative of Genesis 12-2 Kings.Go ahead and get started listening and follow or subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word.  The four step process demonstrated in this episode is available here.Angela Oltmanns has written a series of family devotions based on 1 Samuel.  Get a copy of the book 1 Samuel: How to Be a Child After God's Heart on Amazon (or the ebook).Additional resources at https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

It began with a story.  When we were young we listened to stories being told or read to us and it's one of those human activities we never outgrow.  Whether in gatherings with family or meetups with friends, at work or afterwards, at school and in our movies we tell and listen to stories throughout our entire lives.  The Bible is a book filled with stories (almost half of it is narrative), and what's more it tells one coherent over-arching story from beginning to end.We begin season five with a focus on praying the most common type of scripture: narrative or stories.  In this season we will learn to read and pray the narrative half of scripture and also grasp the overall storyline of the entire Bible in the process. If you are getting started in a relationship with God, trying to have a quiet time or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.Spend your first fifteen minutes of the day listening to God and responding in a personal way.  This podcast will show you how and teach you in an easy to follow process.In fifteen minutes (or less) you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day.  What a perfect way to get started!Like most good stories, we begin this podcast season "in the middle of things" by featuring 1 Samuel 1.  We'll use the first three chapters of Samuel to make some comments about stories in general as well as dive into the storyline of scripture.  In later episodes we'll turn to Genesis and then to other narrative parts of the Bible.  Three key parts of any story are the plot, setting and characters.  Plot is the basic action sequence, setting is where it happens and characters are the main actors we pay attention to in the story.Go ahead and get started listening and follow or subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word.  You can also watch other videos on Youtube at the Word of Prayer channel (link).The four step process demonstrated in this episode is available here.Angela Oltmanns has written a series of family devotions based on 1 Samuel.  Get a copy of the book 1 Samuel: How to Be a Child After God's Heart on Amazon (or the ebook).Additional resources at https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

"Do Good." It seems so basic, like something you don't have to even say. If you follow Christ, you should no doubt be active in doing good. Yet, throughout Paul's letter to Titus there is a repeated emphasis on "doing good." Today we explore that and focus on the third and final chapter of this short letter. If you are trying to have a quiet time, getting started in a relationship with God or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In each episode you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day.In season four we have been praying through some of the letters in the Bible. We conclude the short letter to Titus today. As one of the "Pastoral Letters" (along with 1 & 2 Timothy), Paul writes to one of his co-workers about how to strengthen the church in Crete as well as how to teach, appoint leaders, and leave a legacy of faith behind. Throughout the letter to Titus Paul repeats the importance of "doing good." We explore that theme further in this episode as well as look at the concrete way that Paul says it can be done. The Christian faith has a bias for action; we should be doing good rather than spending most of our time on arguments and interpretations and controversies. Paul also shares another summary statement about what God has done through us through his Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ in Titus 3:4-8. From his opening emphasis in Titus 1 on character and leadership to a wider focus on living out our faith in our given roles in community (Titus 2), this letter sets forth simple but foundational truths that God's people in all places at all times should practice. We have used the letters to grow closer to God in season four. We can't exhaust the riches in each part of scripture we cover, but you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.We have a course on Philemon and Colossians for in-depth Bible study called "Christ Supreme". If you are interested in going deeper, check out the links on our website or the Facebook page. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

There is a type of growth that's harmful to the body. We call it cancer. When Paul wrote to Titus on Crete, he was deeply concerned about a type of teaching that was growing like cancer among the young churches on the island. In Titus 2 we see Paul describe the effects of healthy teaching in the church and how it would produce people bent on doing good. If you are trying to have a quiet time, getting started in a relationship with God or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In each episode you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day.In season four we are praying through some of the letters in the Bible. We are listening to Paul's letter to Titus, one of his shortest letters. Paul turns from instructions about leaders to the roles that each separate group plays in a healthy body, old or young, male or female, slave or free. In the last few verses of chapter 2 Paul grounds his teaching in God's grace and what God himself teaches us through the example of the Son, Jesus Christ, who gives us instruction and power to turn away from ungodliness and toward virtue. The key word in this chapter is "teaching" and especially healthy teaching which grows good people. We are using the letters to grow closer to God in season four. We can't exhaust the riches in each part of scripture we cover, but you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.We have a course on Philemon and Colossians for in-depth Bible study called "Christ Supreme". If you are interested in going deeper, check out the links on our website or the Facebook page. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

We seem to have a perpetual shortage of leaders. That's really nothing new as we see today in Paul's letter to Titus. The problem isn't that we have no leaders, but the ones we have aren't very good. Paul was concerned as he looked at the small households of faith scattered over the Roman world and instead of good strong leaders, he saw the body of Christ being misled and deceived. He doesn't waste time complaining about it. Instead he gives instructions to Titus about what to look for and prioritize in good leaders for God's people. If you are trying to have a quiet time, getting started in a relationship with God or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In each episode you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. In season four we are praying through some of the letters in the Bible. We begin the short letter to Titus today. Besides Philemon, this is Paul's next shortest letter. It gives us a lot to reflect on, meditate about and to pray on in its 46 verses. After briefly considering the context and situation that Paul is writing to, we turn to the main theme of the first part of this letter: leadership. Paul gives Titus specific instructions about appointing elders to guide and oversee the local churches on Crete (for more background, watch the video here). These small groups of believers were already facing the challenge of many wayward teachers coming among them and leading them astray. In Titus 1:10-16 we get a vivid picture of this "anti-leadership" or the opposite of what the body needs. Paul shares with Titus in 1:5-9 the key desirable characteristics of leaders, and it really comes down to character or virtue. These are old-fashioned words, but the need for leaders of strength never goes out of fashion. What is the prime virtue of character trait that leaders need according to Paul? They should be "blameless" or "irreproachable" (Titus 1:6, 7). Paul paints a vivid picture of desirable leadership, and the key themes center around self-control and social conscience. In other words, leaders of the local body need to have the character of Christ and good emotional intelligence.We are using the letters to grow closer to God in season four. We can't exhaust the riches in each part of scripture we cover, but you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.We have a course on Philemon and Colossians for in-depth Bible study called "Christ Supreme". If you are interested in going deeper, check out the links on our website or the Facebook page. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

Do you like to have the last word? 1 John has a lot of truths for us, and in the last chapter it circles back to many of those that we've visited before. John's final word about why he is writing and what's most important and even the last verse in the letter all hold something rich and powerful for us. If you are trying to have a quiet time, getting started in a relationship with God or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In each episode you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. In season four we are praying through some of the letters in the Bible. We are finishing 1 John by listening to chapter 5 in this episode. The language is simple but the truths are rich and plentiful. We explore three of them and they all lead us deeper into faith. These 21 verses offer a lot to meditate on and perhaps you should focus on just one or two at a time. In our daily walk with God we can listen to him and watch how he gives us opportunities to live out the truth in this passage. We are using the letters to grow closer to God in season four. We can't exhaust the riches in each part of scripture we cover, but you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.We have a course on Philemon and Colossians for in-depth Bible study called "Christ Supreme". If you are interested in going deeper, check out the links on our website or the Facebook page. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

What is God like? 1 John tells us a lot about this, and it also says that how we behave toward others and live our lives shows what we think about God. Love, fear, faith, trust...how we approach our relationships gives us plenty of opportunity to answer on a practical level what we think of God. If you are trying to have a quiet time, getting started in a relationship with God or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In each episode you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. In season four we are praying through some of the letters in the Bible. We are reading 1 John and listening to chapter 4 in this episode. It gives us another simple but striking way of seeing God based on elemental truth. God is love, and to embrace him means not being driven by fear. These 21 verses give us a lot to meditate on. In our daily relationships we get to decide if we will come from love or selfishness, faith or fear. We are using the letters to grow closer to God in season four. We can't exhaust the riches in each part of scripture we cover, but you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.We have a course on Philemon and Colossians for in-depth Bible study called "Christ Supreme". If you are interested in going deeper, check out the links on our website or the Facebook page. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

Love is what we are called to, and God calls us his children. That's our identity: children of God. That's immense if we let it sink in. As children of the Creator God, we experience his love and are called to practice it in our lives. 1 John 3 takes us into the heart of this letter and it reveals God's heart as well. God commands us to believe in Jesus Christ and to love one another. If you are trying to have a quiet time, getting started in a relationship with God or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In each episode you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. In season four we are praying through some of the letters in the Bible. We're continuing through 1 John and listening to chapter 3 in this episode. It's challenging because it brings up the reality of God's commands and his love, which is quite different from what the world means when it uses the word "love". There are a lot of words in these 24 verses, and we focus on vv. 1, 16, 19-23. We talk about what to do with our feelings when our hearts condemn us. The main two points, in this passage are to obey God's commands and to practice love toward others. This simplifies what we need to focus on even if it's not easy. We are using the letters to grow closer to God in season four. We can't exhaust the riches in each part of scripture we cover, but you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.We have a course on Philemon and Colossians for in-depth Bible study called "Christ Supreme". If you are interested in going deeper, check out the links on our website or the Facebook page. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

"I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins we have an advocate with the Father--Jesus Christ, the righteous one." These words begin 1 John 2, and clearly the desire is that we avoid sin. Jesus Christ is the answer to our sin problem, and it is essential that we abide or remain in him. If you are trying to have a quiet time, getting started in a relationship with God or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In each episode you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. In season four we are praying through some of the letters in the Bible. We're continuing through 1 John and listening to chapter 2 in this episode. It's quite a bit longer than chapter 1, but it gives us a lot to meditate on and pray back to God in our walk with him. There are many things mentioned in this chapter--sin, our desire for things of the world, the end times, antichrist, the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and other topics as well. The central point, however, is to focus on Christ, remain in him and abide in fellowship with him. We talk about some practical ways to do that in this episode before praying the themes of this chapter together. We are using the letters to grow closer to God in season four. We can't exhaust the riches in each part of scripture we cover, but you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.We have a course on Philemon and Colossians for in-depth Bible study called "Christ Supreme". If you are interested in going deeper, check out the links on our website or the Facebook page. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

"God has come. We have heard and seen him and touched him with our own hands..." This is John's boldly audacious claim in 1 John 1, and he has more bold and striking things to say. John sticks to the truth and boils it down to the essence, which is why we're listening to him. If you are trying to have a quiet time, getting started in a relationship with God or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In fifteen minutes or less you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. It's a perfect way to get started!In season four we are praying through some of the letters in the Bible. Today we are starting 1 John. Although the author never introduces himself and the name John doesn't appear anywhere in the letter, the language and themes are so strikingly similar to the gospel of John that there can be no coincidence. John's community is dealing with division and very real questions about how to live out their faith. The problems ultimately involve you see Christ and how you live in fellowship with him and others.The central focus of this letter comes down to something simple yet profound: love. How do we love God and show proper love to other people? John gives us some very helpful insights. We are using the letters to grow closer to God in season four. We can't exhaust the riches in each part of scripture we cover, but you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.We have a course on Philemon and Colossians for in-depth Bible study called "Christ Supreme". If you are interested in going deeper, check out the links on our website or the Facebook page. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

In this special bonus episode we take a deeper look at Mary's prayer in Luke 1 with co-hosts Ron and Angela OltmannsSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

Sin is all around us and certainly in us, even if it’s not popular to call it that. The message of Jesus Christ is one of the few to take sin seriously and the only one to deal with it effectively. James 5:7-20 shows us the key concern of this short letter and draws the major themes of the letter together so we will be active in winning people back from the way of sin. If you are trying to have a quiet time, getting started in a relationship with God or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In fifteen minutes or less you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. It's a perfect way to get started!In season four we are praying through some of the letters in the Bible. In this episode we finish praying through James, one of the General Letters filled with practical teaching and wisdom. We see again today that James' letter is very gospel-centered and also rooted in the Jewish Torah. The last few verses of James show us the overriding concern that James has as he writes this letter. There are two ways, wisdom and foolishness, and following the world's "wisdom" or pursuing its riches will lead us down the wrong way and encourage us to sin. James wants to be active in restoring people back from sin and praying with them and for them. At the beginning of the letter he told us to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry. Now at the end, he says the same thing essentially but with different words: be patient, don't grumble against a brother or swear an oath vainly, and instead of getting angry, love and forgive your brother. James also points to the example of Job and Elijah to encourage forbearance and faith, especially expressed through prayer. The key application question is are you saved from sin beyond doubt? If not, contact us. If so, take the next step of faith and win someone back from the path of sin. We have been using the letters to grow closer to God in season four. We can't exhaust the riches in each part of scripture we cover, but you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . You can find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.We have a book on Matthew 1-7 that goes more in-depth into the Sermon on the Mount and Matthew 5. It's called Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel on Amazon (or ebook on Kindle). Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

Money is like a mirror for our character. It reflects back to us what is really there. If you like what you see in the mirror, or you don’t, it’s not because of the mirror, it’s because of your own heart. James 4:11-5:6 points us back to our hearts, whether it's speaking against our brothers, judging others, or using riches to oppress others--all of these go against the law of freedom. If you are trying to have a quiet time, getting started in a relationship with God or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In fifteen minutes or less you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. It's a perfect way to get started!In season four we are praying through some of the letters in the Bible. in this episode we finish praying through James, one of the General Letters filled with practical teaching and wisdom. We see again today that James' letter is very gospel-centered and also rooted in the Jewish Torah. James says in 4:11-12 “Don’t speak against your brothers...” and this idea can be traced back to Leviticus 19:16. Similarly, Leviticus 19:13 talks about oppressing and withholding wages from workers just as James 5:4 does. At the same time, James tells us not to judge others, echoing Jesus in Matthew 7:1-2. We looked at James 4:13-17 previously in season 1 of First Fifteen and we won't repeat that lesson here. Our desire for riches, our treatment of the rich, our planning for and pursuit of riches, the trap of riches and treatment of the poor—all of these come under James’ teaching and what he does, simply, is take us back to Jesus’ teaching about the heart. Have you internalized the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself? Spend time meditating on what you've heard/read from his word. James emphasizes being a doer of the word in this passage, not a judge of others. We have been using the letters to grow closer to God in season four. We can't exhaust the riches in each part of scripture we cover, but you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . You can find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.We have a book on Matthew 1-7 that goes more in-depth into the Sermon on the Mount and Matthew 5. It's called Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel on Amazon (or ebook on Kindle). Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

It’s not wise to envy, but we do it anyway. The solution James gives for envy is surprising, but it shows true wisdom if we follow it. James 3:13-4:10 reveals true vs. false wisdom and also what to do about envy or jealousy that threatens to take over our life. If you are trying to have a quiet time, getting started in a relationship with God or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In fifteen minutes or less you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. It's a perfect way to get started!In season four we are praying through some of the letters in the Bible. We continue praying through James, a letter filled with practical teaching and wisdom. One of the thematic verses in James is 1:19 - we should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. In the last episode we showed how he turns to our speaking in ch. 3. We got at least 6 images of speech as James talked about the tongue. In today's reading James shows the tight connection between envy and wisdom. He gives us seven characteristics of God's wisdom to meditate on. Next he shows how our lack is really tied to our lack of faith in God, another way to point to a lack of wisdom.We are using the letters to grow closer to God in season four. We can't exhaust the riches in each part of scripture we cover, but you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

The tongue is a unique muscle of the body, loose and unattached at one end. James says our basic failure to control our tongue is the main cause of so much harm in the world. James 3:1-12 addresses proper speech by focusing on the tongue, and James uses many word pictures in just a few verses to teach a series of truths about our speech. If you are trying to have a quiet time, getting started in a relationship with God or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In fifteen minutes or less you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. It's a perfect way to get started!In season four we are praying through some of the letters in the Bible. We continue praying through James, a letter filled with practical teaching and wisdom. One of the thematic verses in James is 1:19 - we should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. James talked about how we listen in chs. 1-2. Now he turns to how we speak in ch. 3. In just 12 verses, James uses no fewer than five word pictures for our speech (he refers to it as our tongue). They come fast and furious, so it pays to slow down and meditate on one at a time. Here are some metaphors for the tongue that I noticed: bit and bridle, rudder, fire, poison, a spring of fresh water, a source of bitter/brackish or salt water. I encourage you to pick one of those to meditate on and let God teach you about how to control your tongue and use your speech for good. We are using the letters to grow closer to God in season four. We can't exhaust the riches in each part of scripture we cover, but you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.We have a course on Philemon and Colossians for in-depth Bible study called "Christ Supreme". If you are interested in going deeper, check out the links on our website or the Facebook page. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

There’s an expression that says “Talk is cheap”, and the point is that it’s easier to say something than to do it. James would have liked that expression. James 2:14-26 focuses on the theme of faith and action, expanding on being both a hearer and a doer of God’s word. Don’t just say you believe or trust God, follow it through with action and do what he says. If you are trying to have a quiet time, getting started in a relationship with God or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In fifteen minutes or less you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. It's a perfect way to get started!In season four we are praying through some of the letters in the Bible. We continue praying through James, one of the General Letters filled with practical teaching and wisdom. Like the Proverbs and wisdom Psalms, James makes us think deeper about our faith and also challenges us to act on our insights. The last half of James 2 shifts from talking about the rich and the poor and fulfilling the law to talk about faith and action. Traditionally, some readers have noted the similarity between Paul's discussion of faith and works in his letters and tried to explain why James seems to have the opposite emphasis. This is a misreading because Paul and James really aren't addressing the same issue. Paul is concerned about people relying on works of righteousness for their own salvation. James is focused on demonstrating the sincerity of faith. What James does here expands on what he said in 1:17-27 about hearing the word (only) and doing the word. He will return to this theme of faith and action again before he finishes the letter, so it is a major point of his teaching. He uses two examples to illustrate his point: Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac, and Rahab sheltering the spies in Jericho. We are using the letters to grow closer to God in season four. We can't exhaust the riches in each part of scripture we cover, but you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.We have a course on Philemon and Colossians for in-depth Bible study called "Christ Supreme". If you are interested in going deeper, check out the links on our website or the Facebook page. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

There’s a big misunderstanding that the Bible isn’t too concerned with money. The fact is, the Bible has a lot to say about money because the choices we make with money reflect what’s in our hearts. James 2:1-13 shows us our bias for the rich and God's concern for the poor while redirecting our hearts from chasing money to loving people. If you are trying to have a quiet time, getting started in a relationship with God or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In fifteen minutes or less you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. It's a perfect way to get started!In season four we are praying through some of the letters in the Bible. in this episode we continue praying through James, one of the General Letters filled with practical teaching and wisdom. At the same time, James' letter is very gospel-centered and today's section particularly shows links to Jesus and the Jewish Torah. James says in 2:1 “Don’t hold the faith of Jesus Christ with partiality.” This idea actually comes from Torah. Leviticus 19:15 says, “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich, but judge your neighbor fairly.” That one verse hits all the points that James talks about in 2:1-13. We as humans are very concerned with money and we let it warp our character. We pursue it and we give honor to those who have more than us. God is concerned with money not because he needs it or because he shares our values, but because he wants to use it to train our character. God’s bigger concern is: do you value people or money most? James returns to the Torah, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh.” Lev 19:18 That was something Jesus stressed in his ministry, and James repeats it here. In fact, if you go back to Matthew 5 (the first part of the Sermon on the Mount), James is basically anchoring all of his instruction in Jesus' core teachings. Are you biased toward the rich and against the poor? Most of us don't think we are, but James says we need to get real. Have you internalized the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself? Spend time meditating on what you're heard/read from his word. James emphasizes being a doer of the word, not just a hearer. We are using the letters to grow closer to God in season four. We can't exhaust the riches in each part of scripture we cover, but you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . You can find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.We have a book on Matthew 1-7 that goes more in-depth into the Sermon on the Mount and Matthew 5. It's called Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel on Amazon (or ebook on Kindle). Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

When gifts are being given out, who doesn’t want to receive a gift?! God is the great giver of gifts and he has something special in store for you. James 1:17-27 emphasizes that God gives good gifts, and one of his great gifts is wisdom which is ours for the asking. True wisdom is shown by doing the word and not just hearing it.If you are trying to have a quiet time, getting started in a relationship with God or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In fifteen minutes or less you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. It's a perfect way to get started!In season four we are praying through some of the letters in the Bible. We are praying through James, one of the General Letters filled with practical teaching and wisdom. Like the Proverbs and wisdom Psalms, James makes us think deeper about our faith and also challenges us to act on our insights. We mentioned in the last episode that James 1 reads like an index of topics for the rest of the letter. Wisdom and action are highlighted in our verses today, but we also get mention of words and phrases that James will elaborate further in his letter: faith (ch 2), wisdom (ch 3, 5), rich and poor (ch 2, 4), trials/test/temptation (ch 5), the tongue (ch 3), and speech and action (ch 2, 4). Where do you need wisdom? Have you asked God for it yet? Spend time meditating on what you're heard/read from his word and examine your heart to see if you are receiving his truth humbly. James emphasizes being a doer of the word, not just a hearer. He uses the vivid image of someone looking at themselves in a mirror to drive home the point. We are using the letters to grow closer to God in season four. We can't exhaust the riches in each part of scripture we cover, but you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.We have a course on Philemon and Colossians for in-depth Bible study called "Christ Supreme". If you are interested in going deeper, check out the links on our website or the Facebook page. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

None of us really want to do foolish things. We want to be wise, or at least see ourselves as wise. James warns us not to be deceived and instead to ask God for wisdom, believing he will give it to us generously.If you are trying to have a quiet time, getting started in a relationship with God or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In fifteen minutes or less you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. It's a perfect way to get started!In season four we are praying through some of the letters in the Bible. Today we start one of the General Letters which is filled with practical teaching and wisdom, James. The characteristics of a letter are less obvious in James and instead it reads like a set of practical instructions for wise living as Christians. James 1 reads like an index of topics for the rest of the letter. Words and phrases mentioned only briefly in chapter 1 are further developed later in the letter. A few words that stand out and to watch for later include: faith (ch 2), wisdom (ch 3, 5), rich and poor (ch 2, 4), trials/test/temptation (ch 5), the tongue (ch 3), and speech and action (ch 2, 4). Where do you need wisdom? Have you asked God for it yet? Trust him to give generously and ask in faith. James makes a distinction between 3 things that we often confuse as one thing: troubles, testing and temptation. In this episode we briefly distinguish those three along the lines that James uses them. We are using the letters to grow closer to God in season four. We can't exhaust the riches in each part of scripture we cover, but you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.We have a course on Philemon and Colossians for in-depth Bible study called "Christ Supreme". If you are interested in going deeper, check out the links on our website or the Facebook page. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

Greetings may seem unimportant, but don’t be too quick to dismiss them. When you’re on the frontlines serving and missing home, a greeting from someone who cares and gives some encouragement is life-giving! Colossians 4 gives us a rare glimpse into what was happening in cities across the Roman Empire in the first century: Christ was being preached, prayers were fervently prayed as letters and gospels were written , leaving us an unmistakable picture of faith and conviction amidst hardship. If you are trying to have a quiet time, getting started in a relationship with God or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In fifteen minutes or less you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. It's a perfect way to get started!In season four we're praying through some of the letters in the Bible. We finish Colossians as Paul and Timothy send greetings to believers in Colossae and final instructions for how to carry on the work of the gospel. Ancient letters usually ended with greetings, and the New Testament letters give us a portrayal of how intensely social and close-knit the early Christian communities were as they carried the gospel with urgency and purpose. Colossians 4 begins by urging prayer and dedication to the task of sharing the gospel. The early Christians were not bookish types writing their gospels, letters or other writings safely in a university or private study. They were on the frontlines, contesting in the marketplace and taking care of the poor and sick and hungry as they faced misunderstanding and persecution. The greetings that Paul and Timothy share not only give us insight into how churches related to one another or how letters and teachers were shared, they also embody the essence of Christian living. Listen to the end and strive to make the application practical today. As we read the letters we grow closer to God and realize we can't exhaust the riches in each part of scripture that we cover. However, you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.We have a course on Philemon and Colossians for in-depth Bible study called "Christ Supreme". If you are interested in going deeper, check out the links on our website or the Facebook page.A classic book that does an imaginative retelling of the Onesimus-Philemon story that will appeal to young and old is Twice Freed by Patrician St. John. You can find it on Amazon. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

The ethical ideal of the Christian life is not something you attain by willpower or individual effort alone. Only Christ’s power activated within a person makes the moral demands of following Christ possible. Colossians 3 takes us from the truth about what is into the everyday world of what should be, how we should live out the reality of "Christ in you." If you are trying to have a quiet time, getting started in a relationship with God or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In fifteen minutes or less you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. It's a perfect way to get started!In season four we're praying through some of the letters in the Bible. We continue with Colossians as Paul and Timothy work out the implications of Christ at the center of it all. Paul's letters have a similar plot or structure: they begin with theology, teaching truth about what is based on what God has done and who he is, then they move into practical application or teaching about how to live this out in the real world. In today's section, we transition from theology into practical instruction. Colossians 3 reminds us of what we were apart from Christ and also appeals to us to live in the power of what Christ has done in us and not go back to earlier ways of sensual indulgence and fleshly thinking. How this is lived out in concrete relationships is also highlighted. Above all, love is the goal and the uniting principle. All virtues are united and harmonized in love. Christ taught that it is the most important commandment and applies toward both God and humans. Some possible verses from this episode to meditate on are Colossians 3:14 and 15-16. Make the application practical today. Lean on Christ and his power and don't rely on willpower alone.As we read the letters we grow closer to God and realize we can't exhaust the riches in each part of scripture that we cover. However, you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.We have a course on Philemon and Colossians for in-depth Bible study called "Christ Supreme". If you are interested in going deeper, check out the links on our website or the Facebook page.A classic book that does an imaginative retelling of the Onesimus-Philemon story that will appeal to young and old is Twice Freed by Patrician St. John. You can find it on Amazon. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

It’s dangerous to have a shallow faith. When life’s storms come along, that faith won’t stand. Paul and Timothy imprisoned and writing this letter knew that. Even as they praised the Colossians for having a vibrant, living faith, they encouraged and warned them about being uprooted. Colossians 2 is about being rooted in Christ, filled with his fulness of divine power, not settling for human substitutes or spiritual counterfeits.If you are trying to have a quiet time, getting started in a relationship with God or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In fifteen minutes or less you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. It's a perfect way to get started!In season four we're praying through some of the letters in the Bible. We continue with Colossians as Paul and Timothy work out the implications of Christ at the center of it all. Christ's work for us at the cross is finished and complete; Christ's work in us continues as we grow in him and fully live out all that it means to seek the things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father. Colossians 2 also shows us more about the dangerous teaching that was circulating that competed with the true gospel. Some of it was drawn from the Jewish roots of Christianity, and there were also some strange practices that mixed Jewish rituals with pagan mysticism and spiritism. We don't have all the details. But the main point that comes through is these other practices were not based on Christ and they did nothing to help you live a life that looked like Christ. True spirituality is found in Christ. Full spiritual expression is found in his life alive in you. Some possible verses from this episode to meditate on are Colossians 2:9-10, 12-13, 20, or 3:1-3. Make the application in a tangible way today. Make Christ the focus and go further than you have before.As we read the letters we grow closer to God and realize we can't exhaust the riches in each part of scripture that we cover. However, you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.We have a course on Philemon and Colossians for in-depth Bible study called "Christ Supreme". If you are interested in going deeper, check out the links on our website or the Facebook page.A classic book that does an imaginative retelling of the Onesimus-Philemon story that will appeal to young and old is Twice Freed by Patrician St. John. You can find it on Amazon. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

Have you ever stumbled upon something of surpassing beauty, which took your breath away and humbled you at the same time? It affects you so that you can’t turn away unchanged. The hymn about Christ in Colossians 1 is a lot like that. As Paul and Timothy develop their letter they focus attention on Christ, the center not just of the Christian community but of all God's work in the universe! If you are trying to have a quiet time, getting started in a relationship with God or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In fifteen minutes or less you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. It's a perfect way to get started!In season four we're praying through some of the letters in the Bible. We continue with Colossians and Paul appeals to an early Christian hymn to Christ as he builds his case that all the mysteries of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ. He writes this letter so that the Colossians are firmly anchored in their faith and not led astray by those who don't uphold the supremacy of Christ. Two big truths in this portion of the letter include: Jesus Christ is supreme, first in all categories, and all mysteries, all wisdom and knowledge are contained “in Christ”. These high truths should stretch us, they should help us to grow further than we have so far. Make the application in a tangible way today. Make Christ the focus and go further than you have before.As we read the letters we grow closer to God and realize we can't exhaust the riches in each part of scripture that we cover. However, you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.We have a course on Philemon and Colossians for in-depth Bible study called "Christ Supreme". If you are interested in going deeper, check out the links on our website or the Facebook page.A classic book that does an imaginative retelling of the Onesimus-Philemon story that will appeal to young and old is Twice Freed by Patrician St. John. You can find it on Amazon. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

What’s missing in our culture today are courtesies, those words of respect, graciousness and sincere regard at the beginning of a conversation, a visit, a letter. So much is often said in those first few words if you only listen! We get to hear how Paul and Timothy greet the believers in Colossae today and catch a glimpse of how to pray for others to grow in their faith. If you are trying to have a quiet time, getting started in a relationship with God or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In fifteen minutes or less you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. It's a perfect way to get started!We are at the start of season four and praying through some of the letters in the Bible. Today we start one of Paul's shorter letters which has some very deep ideas and practical instruction, Colossians. The letters are unusual because we only hear one side of a two-way conversation. We have to try to understand in some part the other side of the conversation if we want to hear God's word for us in these writings. Paul and Timothy write to the Colossians, believers who lived in a small Greek city about 100 miles inland from Ephesus in modern-day Turkey. Most likely Philemon lives in Colossae and these two letters (Philemon and Colossians) are carried at the same time to this city perhaps by Tychicus. Paul mentions another letter we don't have that he writes to Laodicea, a city about 10 miles west of Colossae that any traveler from Ephesus would have passed through first. Paul intends for his letters to each of the churches to be exchanged and read in each assembly. Where do you need filling with God’s truth? Head, heart, feet, hands, will, emotions or spirit? If you know, make that your prayer today. If you don’t, I suggest you start with head and heart--knowledge, wisdom and understanding—and ask God to fill you. And whatever you have received, wherever you have gotten your fill, make it your job to share some of that with others today. We are using the letters to grow closer to God as season four starts. We can't exhaust the riches in each part of scripture we cover, but you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.We have a course on Philemon and Colossians for in-depth Bible study called "Christ Supreme". If you are interested in going deeper, check out the links on our website or the Facebook page.A classic book that does an imaginative retelling of the Onesimus-Philemon story that will appeal to young and old is Twice Freed by Patrician St. John. You can find it on Amazon. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

A fundamental problem of humans is our tendency to think we’re free while living under the influence or control of people and ideas that we seem blind to. When Christ comes into our life, we are set free from all of that and that’s really good news! Listen to the short letter to Philemon today and learn more about the freedom and responsibilities of love. If you are trying to have a quiet time, getting started in a relationship with God or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In fifteen minutes or less you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. It's a perfect way to get started!We are starting season four and praying through some of the letters in the Bible. Today we start with Paul's shortest letter which is very warm and personal, Philemon. The letters are unusual because we are only hearing one side of a two-way conversation. We have to try to understand in some part the other side of the conversation if we want to hear God's word for us in these writings. Paul and Timothy write to Philemon, an early Christian who was probably well off and owned slaves which was quite common in the Roman world. Onesimus is likely a runaway slave who has since become a Christian, connected with Paul, and now he is returning to his master with this letter from Paul asking Philemon to receive Onesimus as he would Paul--his debt cleared and free to serve the gospel. Apart from the dynamic of slavery in the background, the relationship between Paul and Philemon and the love shown and requested are in focus. Paul could have made some demands and exercised power over Philemon; instead he appeals to him as a brother who is free to decide and who is influenceable to "do the right thing." There's a lot for us to learn here about how to treat other people as well. We are using the letters to grow closer to God as season four starts. We can't exhaust the riches in each part of scripture we cover, but you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.We have a course on Philemon and Colossians for in-depth Bible study called "Christ Supreme". If you are interested in going deeper, check out the links on our website or the Facebook page.A classic book that does an imaginative retelling of the Onesimus-Philemon story that will appeal to young and old is Twice Freed by Patrician St. John. You can find it on Amazon. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

“Hallelujah!” has entered into English vocabulary and even non-religious people recognize it. It’s a way to celebrate and punctuate something. “Praise Yah!” (short for Yahweh) is what it literally means and is more specific. It points us to God, the one we celebrate and praise. Psalm 150 concludes the book of Psalms with six powerful verses that tells us where, why, how and who should praise God. If you are getting started in a relationship with God, trying to have a quiet time or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In fifteen minutes (or less) you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. What a perfect way to get started!We are finishing season three and Psalm 150 takes us sky-high with praise to God! As the last of the "Hallelujah" psalms, it begins and ends with the Hebrew expression Hallelu-Yah or "praise Yah".God deserves all praise in all forms, so whether with percussion, strings or wind instruments, we lift up praise to God for his greatness and great works. Everything that has breath praises God! Psalm 150 uses some form of the Hebrew verb "to praise" (hallal) 13 times in 6 verses. Besides the opening and closing Hallelu-Yah, there are a large number of hallelu-hu ("praise him") and one hallelu-El ("praise God", v. 1). The entire psalm is a doxology or short song of praise to God. Raise up a shout of praise to God today and set an intention for how you will continue to use the Psalms to grow closer to God now that season three is over. We can't exhaust the riches in each part of scripture we cover, but you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.You can get a copy of the book God Help Me Grow: Learning to Pray through the Psalms on Amazon (or the ebook) so you can pray all of the first 30 psalms in the book of Psalms. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

Imagine we didn’t have language to communicate with. No words, no letters. Only noises, looks, body expressions, like charades—but all the time. If God didn’t use language, what would we know about him? How would we express ourselves to him? Psalm 145 lifts up praise to God and sums up so much that has come before it in the Psalms, leading us into the final movement of prayer--pure praise of God. If you are getting started in a relationship with God, trying to have a quiet time or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In fifteen minutes (or less) you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. What a perfect way to get started!We are nearly done with season three and we've prayed a wide selection of psalms trying to expand our vocabulary of prayer. We've noticed that the second half of Psalms has fewer laments and more praise songs and hymns. Psalm 145 is a high point, a kind of climax in Book 5 and really for the book of Psalms overall. God deserves all praise, and we marshall all our language to bless him, praise him, exalt and give thanks to him for who he is and all the mighty works he has done. Psalm 145 is special because its first and last verse uses the Hebrew word tehillah which means praise. It's the only psalm that is specifically called tehillah, and yet the plural form of this word (Tehillim) is the Hebrew title for the entire book of Psalms! Psalm 145 is also an acrostic psalm, the eighth and final one of the book of Psalms, so from A to Z (or aleph to taw) we get a comprehensive treatment of what praise is all about. The other acrostic psalms we've covered include Psalm 25, 111, 112, and 119. If you want to read the remaining acrostic psalms we didn't cover in season 3, check out Psalms 9, 10, 34 and 37. One feature of this psalm is the repeated use of the word "all", which is especially prominent in the second half of the prayer. God is good to all, and all beings are called on to give praise to God. Psalm 145:8 echoes a foundational verse from Exodus 34:6 in which God reveals his fundamental character. This is a good verse to meditate on. Other verses to meditate on or memorize include vv. 1-3, 5, 18 and 21. Choose one of more of these verses and let God work out its truth in your life. While we can't exhaust the riches in these verses, you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. The entire psalm is worth pondering and reading or listening to multiple times. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.You can get a copy of the book God Help Me Grow: Learning to Pray through the Psalms on Amazon (or the ebook) so you can pray all of the first 30 psalms in the book of Psalms. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

We want to be known, to be heard, to be understood. Our biggest problem is we expect another flawed, broken human being to fully understand us when only God can. Psalm 139 celebrates the truth that God knows us completely and well, but it also wrestles with the implications of that in our lives. If you are getting started in a relationship with God, trying to have a quiet time or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In fifteen minutes (or less) you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. What a perfect way to get started!We are nearing the end of season three and we've prayed a lot of different psalms. Toward the end of the book there is a greater concentration of praise songs and hymns, and Psalm 139 is one of the most profound of those. God knows me and God is everywhere. These are great spiritual truths. But there are other realities in Psalm 139 that we might miss or wish to avoid. The 24 verses of Psalm 139 are divided into four sections with six verses each. The main idea of each section is stated up front in the first verse: vv. 1, 7, 13 and 19. If you read those, you'll get the overall sense of the entire psalm instead of seeing this as a random collection of inspirational verses with a weird ending you might want to avoid. Psalm 139 shows us how complete God's knowledge of us is and the instinctive reaction we might have to flee from him. But God's goodness and desire to bless us above everything else reassures us that being known by him isn't nearly as dangerous as trying to live life apart from him. There is also no neutral ground; it's worship or rebellion, and not serving God puts you in the camp of his enemies. Four verses from this psalm to meditate on at length are vv. 1, 14, 23 and 24. Choose one of more of these and let God work out its truth in your life. While we can't exhaust the riches in these verses, you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @WordofPrayer15 . Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.You can get a copy of the book God Help Me Grow: Learning to Pray through the Psalms on Amazon (or the ebook) so you can pray all of the first 30 psalms in the book of Psalms. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)

I hate to wait. If I really want it, I want it right now. God’s sense of timing sometimes frustrates me, which is why I have to learn to ask, trust and hope while I grow in my understanding of his will and his ways. Psalm 130 gives me language in prayer to call on God, trust in him, hope and declare the certainty that he will put things right for me and for the world.If you are getting started in a relationship with God, trying to have a quiet time or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.In fifteen minutes (or less) you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day. What a perfect way to get started!We've prayed through Psalm 119, the longest psalm of the Bible within Book 5 (Psalms 107-150). We continue through the Songs of Ascent, the collection of short pilgrim songs for those going up to the temple and we'll listen to Psalm 130.The eight verses of Psalm 130 work progressively to take us from the dark pit of despair and sin to confident hope in God's deliverance.Psalm 130 is one of the 7 penitential psalms used in the Christian Church during Lent, the 40 days of preparation before Easter. The penitential psalms include Psalm 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130 and 143. We've covered several of these on First Fifteen.What truth do you need to repeat or demonstrate today? We can't exhaust the riches that are in these verses, but you can go deeper into them on your own using our four step process. You can download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen using Psalm 1.If you want to get more daily encouragement you can follow me on Twitter @WordofPrayer15. Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word. You can also find us on Facebook at Word of Prayer 15.You can get a copy of the book God Help Me Grow: Learning to Pray through the Psalms on Amazon (or the ebook) so you can pray all of the first 30 psalms in the book of Psalms. Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=30142397)