The Bible Project

Send a textIf you read the book of Galatians, about the time you get to the middle of it, you may think, considering what Paul has just said, that it is a very logical question.  Paul begins to talk about the law, but he does so in a way that almost puts it down. And after you hear that, you can't help but wonder, well, then why did God give the law? He continues his seeming tirade against the law. It cannot justify. You cannot receive the Holy Spirit by it, nor can you be matured in your faith by it. But it gets worse, remember yesterday in Chapter 3, verse 10.  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse of the law. For it is written, cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them”. Not only can the law not perform, if you're under the law system, but you are actually under a curse. And he goes on to say, in verse 13, that only Christ can redeem you from this curse of the law.  Now, you can't read this without asking, well, then why did God give the law? That is a very logical and natural question. proceeding out of all that he has had to say up until this point. Let's see what he has to say…..Support the showFollow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send a textThere's an old saying: “He who has an argument is always at the mercy of the one who has had an experience.” And that's true. When Christ has changed your life, someone else's argument doesn't carry much weight. It's perfectly valid to appeal to your experience—up to a point. But there's also a weakness in relying on experience alone.  Experience can be misunderstood. It can be misinterpreted. And it can even be counterfeited. So, if we're going to truly prove what we believe, we need something more solid than our own story. That's exactly the situation Paul faced with the Galatians. False teachers had come along after he left and told these young believers that faith in Christ wasn't enough—that they needed to keep the law to be saved.  So, Paul wrote the letter we call Galatians to set the record straight: salvation is by grace through faith, apart from the works of the law.  And that's what we're going to explore today: the objective proof of the gospel, the unchanging foundation that salvation is by grace through faith.Support the showFollow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send a textThere are moments in the Christian life when we suddenly realise we've drifted—subtly, quietly—back into trying to earn what God has already given us. We may start well in the Spirit, but somewhere along the way, the old habits of self‑effort creep back in. And if that has happened to you, then Paul's words in Galatians 3 should hit us like a wake‑up call:In today's episode, we're stepping into one of the most personal, piercing, yet liberating passages in the whole letter. Paul isn't giving a lecture—he's asking us to look at our lives and inviting us to seek again at the proof of the gospel in our own lives: The work of the Spirit, the gift of grace, the miracle of our new birth, and the quiet evidence that God Himself has been at work in us from the very beginning.So, as you listen, let the Word of God remind you of the freedom you already have. Because the gospel doesn't just save us—it sustains us, shapes us, and empowers us every single day….Meet Me in the Word: A Daily DevotionalThoughtful reflections for Jesus-Followers Monday through Friday.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFollow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send a textTo receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at:Jeremy McCandless | In the latter part of Galatians chapter 2, beginning at verse 11 and continuing through the end of the chapter, Paul recounts a significant second encounter with the Apostle Peter in Antioch. During Peter's visit, he initially ate with Gentile Christians, recognizing that Old Testament dietary laws were no longer binding upon him. However, under pressure from certain individuals, Peter withdrew and began to only associate with these Jewish Christians and reverted to keeping the dietary laws.Recognizing the implications of this behavior, Paul confronted Peter directly, challenging the notion that adherence to the laws of Moses was necessary for salvation. This rebuke underscored the importance of maintaining doctrinal clarity regarding justification by faith alone. And the details of Paul's response to Peter are documented in Galatians chapter 2, providing valuable insight into this pivotal moment in early Christian history….Meet Me in the Word: A Daily DevotionalThoughtful reflections for Jesus-Followers Monday through Friday.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFollow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send a textIn Philippians chapter 1, the Apostle Paul at one point says that he was appointed for the defence of the gospel. In Jude verse 3, Jude says that all Christians, not just those in leadership, are to contend earnestly for the faith.  Now what is all that about? And how do you go about doing that? How does one defend the gospel or contend for the faith? Also where are you supposed to do this? Does this mean that you are to defend the gospel from attack by those who are outside the realm of Christianity? Or does it mean that you are to defend the gospel from within the Christian community? Or both…. And when, and how are you supposed to do this? Well, there's at least one passage of Scripture in the New Testament that gives us an illustration of the Apostle Paul himself doing that. And while I do not think that passage answers all of the questions or covers every situation, I do think it gives us some helpful hints on how we are to respond and where appropriate, defend the gospel and even contend for the faith.  That incident is recorded for us in Galatians chapter 2….Support the showFollow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send a textTo receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at:Jeremy McCandless | SubstackEpisode Notes:Welcome back, friends. It's great to have you with me again as we continue our time studying Paul's letter to the Galatians. In Galatians 2:1–10, Paul takes us behind the scenes of one of the most important meetings in early church history. This is the moment when the apostles — the pillars of the church — gather in Jerusalem to answer a question that would shape the future of Christianity: Is the gospel really enough?So, let's step into this extraordinary moment when the early church stood shoulder to shoulder and affirmed the freedom we now enjoy in Christ. Let's begin….Support the showFollow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send a textTo receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at:Jeremy McCandless | SubstackLast time, Paul grabbed us by the shoulders and said, “Don't you dare move from the gospel!” — and if you felt that, you're not alone. Paul wasn't whispering, was he?Today, though, the tone shifts. Not because Paul has calmed down — he hasn't — but because he's about to tell a story. His story. And it's dramatic, it's surprising, and it's wonderfully encouraging.Because in today's passage, Paul wants us to know something vital: The gospel he preached didn't come to him from a Rabbi or via a religious committee, or some clever theological insight; it came from God Himself. And the proof? His life was turned upside down in a way no human could have orchestrated.So today we are going to explore: How Paul received the gospel, why he didn't need human approval to preach it, and how his past has now become a platform to demonstrate God's grace. It also tells us why transformation matters in our story as well. And also, along the way, we'll see that God has a remarkable habit of choosing the least likely people to carry His message.Which means if you feel unqualified, unprepared, or just a bit of a mess, then this should be wonderfully reassuring.Support the showFollow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send a textWelcome back, friends. Today, we step into one of the most startling moments in all of Paul's writings. If the opening verses of Galatians introduced us to the apostle's authority and the beauty of the gospel, then verses 6–10 teach us the reason for the urgency felt in this entire letter.“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you…” This is not irritation. This is not impatience. This is the voice of a spiritual father watching his children wander toward danger. And in these verses, Paul will confront a reality that is as relevant today as it was in the first century: The fact that the gospel can be distorted, and believers can drift away from the truth. Galatians 1:6–10 is Paul grabbing the church by the metaphorical shoulders and shaking them and saying, “Don't move away from the gospel.” “Don't trade grace for performance.” And don't let anyone  redefine what Christ has accomplished.” To receive my weekly newsletter with updates on all five of my podcasts: subscribe on Substack.Jeremy McCandless | SubstackSupport the showFollow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send a textHave you ever been told you must follow some sort of rule to be right with God? For some, this means observing the Sabbath, for others, it's vegetarianism or keeping Old Testament feasts or adhering to a strict Calendar of events and Christian practices. Such beliefs are often deeply held, but their dogmatic implementation by some can be both imprisoning and confusing.If God gave the law, does ignoring them mean we're lawless, or are we free to act as we please? To explore this, we'll study Galatians—a book dealing directly with whether rule-keeping is necessary for salvation….Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send a textHang on at the end for my answer to a Listener's Question....Paul's letter to the Galatians has often been called “the Magna Carta of spiritual emancipation.” For many believers, it reads like a charter of Christian freedom. In just a few short chapters, Paul delivers one of the most condensed, passionate, and powerful arguments ever written about the freedom believers have received in Christ. Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send a textTo get new episodes every two weeks, go to: https://therenewedmindpodcast.buzzsprout.com and click 'follow' on wherever you currently get your podcasts from.Episode Notes: The main themes covered in this episode are:Not All Depression Looks the Same.The Growing Weight of Depression in Our World.Why Depression is Not Your Fault.The Bipolar Mood Scale (BMS) - See Link Below.Mood Scale | Bipolar UKWhy Mood Awareness Matters Spiritually.Depression: A Widespread but Treatable Illness:Good News Regarding Depression.Cognitive Therapy and Christian Transformation.Understanding Your Emotional Landscape.A Step‑by‑Step Journey Toward Renewal.Bringing Light to Depression's Dark Lens.The Role of Medication and the Role of Willingness.Outro:Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send a textThis is the fourth of five bonus episodes I shall be releasing this week. This is the latest episode of My 'History of the Christian Church' Podcast.When Gregory the Great became bishop of Rome at the end of the sixth century, the Western world was pretty much in ruins and standing on the edge of an era that would become known as the Dark Ages. The Roman Empire in the West had collapsed. Cities were crumbling. Plagues swept through the population. Invasions came not in isolation, but in waves. Civil authority was weak, unreliable, and sometimes absent altogether. And into that chaos stepped Gregory. He never sought power. Gregory preferred the quiet life of a monk to the burden of public leadership. Yet history would remember him as one of the most influential figures of the early medieval Church—the man who more than any other bridged the ancient world and the medieval West.To subscribe and listen to the entire series for free. (32 Episodes so far, with a new episode every month) subscribe and follow at: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comSupport the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send a textThis is the third of five bonus episodes I shall be releasing this week. This is the third episode in my brand new podcast launched on 1st of January 2026. "The Classic Literature Podcast'.Oliver Twist is not just a novel—it's a cry. A cry against cruelty, against hypocrisy, against a society that punishes the vulnerable and rewards the corrupt. But it's also a cry of hope. Because even in the darkest alley, Dickens insists that light can break through. That grace can find the lost. In this episode, we'll explore how Oliver Twist and we'll meet characters who embody both sin and salvation. We'll trace the spiritual arc of a boy who begins with nothing but a name—and ends with a family, a future, and the hope of redemption.Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send a textThis is the second of five bonus episodes I shall be releasing this week as. This is part of an 80-minute podcast that went live this week on my sister's podcast, 'The Living in Faith Everyday Podcast'. (L.I.F.E.)Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textI am working hard, preparing and laying out our next season, where I shall be taking us through Paul's letter to the Galatians.  In the meantime, here is some bonus material.This is the first of five bonus episodes this week. This is part of an 80-minute podcast that went live this week on my sister's podcast, 'The Living in Faith Everyday Podcast'. (L.I.F.E.)Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textTo receive all my podcasts early and  ad-free, follow me for free on Patreon:Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study ResourcesTo receive my weekly newsletter: subscribe on Substack.Jeremy McCandless | SubstackToday, we arrive at the final chapter of 2 Samuel — a chapter that feels both sobering yet strangely hopeful. After all the battles, betrayals, restorations, and songs of deliverance, the book closes not with a triumph, but with a moment of failure… and yet a surprising revelation of God's mercy. 2 Samuel 24 tells the story of David's census — a wrong-headed decision driven by pride, insecurity, and misplaced confidence. It's a moment where David, the seasoned king, forgets the lesson he learned as a young shepherd boy: Victory never comes from numbers, but from God Himself…. So, let's walk through a chapter that confronts us with the cost of pride, but also invites us to witness the mercy of a God who never leaves His people without hope. Welcome to the episode…Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textTo receive my weekly newsletter: subscribe on Substack.Jeremy McCandless | SubstackTo receive all my podcasts early and  ad-free, follow me for free on Patreon:Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study ResourcesToday, we step into 2 Samuel 23, a chapter that feels like a deep breath near the end of a long journey. The battles are mostly behind us. The rebellions have quieted. The kingdom has weathered storms, heartbreak, and restoration. And now the narrative slows down and gives us something precious.... David's final recorded words.The last words Scripture preserves as his official testimony — a poetic reflection on leadership, covenant, and the kind of life that shines with God's light. They read like a benediction, a legacy, a window into the mind of a man who has walked with God through triumph and failure, joy and sorrow, and courage beyond the collapse.Chapter 23 gives us two gifts: 1. David's Final Words — A Vision of Leadership Under God2. The Mighty Men — Stories of Courage and Loyalty This chapter is about legacy — not a legacy of power or perfection, but the legacy of a life shaped by God and surrounded by faithful companions. In doing so I believe it invites us to reflect on: The kind of people we are becoming. The kind of leaders we should follow, the kind of courage we admire, and the legacy we should hope to leaveWelcome to the episode….Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textTo receive my weekly newsletter with updates on all my podcasts: Subscribe on Substack.Jeremy McCandless | SubstackWelcome back, friends. Today, we step into 2 Samuel 22, a chapter unlike anything we've read in the book, maybe even the bible so far.  After the battles, after the betrayals, the grief, the justice, and the long journey of restoration, the narrative pauses — and David sings. This chapter is a song of deliverance. A testimony and a reflection on a lifetime of God's faithfulness. It is David looking back over the landscape of his life — the dangers he escaped, the enemies he faced, the giants that fell, the caves he hid in. The betrayals he endured, the mercy he received — and gathering it all into one sweeping declaration: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.” This is not the song of a young shepherd boy. It is the song of an older, more mature man who has lived through storms, failures, victories, and heartbreak. It is the voice of a man who has seen God rescue him repeatedly — sometimes dramatically, sometimes quietly, sometimes through others, sometimes in ways he didn't understand until years later. This chapter is a gift to the church.  It is a reminder that worship is not something we do only when life is peaceful — it is something we always do, particularly when we look back and realize that God has been faithful in every valley and every victory. So, settle in as we listen to David's song — a song written in the aftermath of a lifetime with God in all its ups and downs. Welcome to the episode.Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textTo receive my weekly newsletter: subscribe on Substack.Jeremy McCandless | SubstackTo receive all my podcasts early and  ad-free, follow me for free on Patreon:Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Today, we step into the penultimate chapter of 2 Samuel, Chapter 21, which feels different from the narrative flow we've been following.  The drama of rebellion has quieted. The kingdom is stabilizing again. But now the story turns our attention to the unfinished business of the past.  This chapter reminds us that not all wounds are visible, and not all consequences disappear simply because time has passed. Some things linger beneath the surface until God, in His wisdom, brings them to the surface to be addressed. So, this chapter is about: ·         Accountability·         Covenant faithfulness·         the long shadow of past sinChapter 21 is not an easy chapter, but it is a necessary one. It reminds us that God is committed to justice, to truth, and to healing — even when the process is painful, and even when the wounds come from long ago. So, let's walk through a chapter and see how God leads His people toward restoration. Welcome to the episode….Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textIf chapter 19 showed us the slow, hopeful work of restoration, chapter 20 shows us how easily that work can be disrupted. When we open this chapter, the kingdom has barely begun to breathe again. David has just returned to Jerusalem, but old wounds are still tender. Trust is still being built again, and into that fragile moment steps a new voice of division. His name is Sheba — a man with a loud voice and a dangerous influence: And he declares.  “We have no share in David!” And with that one sentence, the nation is shaken again. In this episode, we'll see a new rebellion arise because of the power of this divisive voice. Sheba's cry spreads like wildfire, and the fragile unity of Israel begins to fracture once more. But we will also see David respond.  — Leadership is required, and David must act quickly and wisely. And David must navigate a path for a kingdom that feels like it's slipping through his fingers.So, let's explore a chapter filled with urgency, tension, and the ongoing pursuit of peace…. Welcome to the episode….Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textTo receive my weekly newsletter: subscribe on Substack.Jeremy McCandless | SubstackTo receive all my podcasts early and  ad free follow me for free on Patreon:Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Welcome:Today, we step into a chapter that feels very different from the intensity of the last few episodes. The battle is over. Absalom is gone. The rebellion has collapsed. But the story is far from finished because now comes the part that is often harder than the conflict itself: The healing, what some today call the peace-building phase following war. David returns to Jerusalem, the tribes return to unity, and a nation begins returning to stability. But none of it happens cleanly or quickly, and none of it happens without tension.In this episode, we'll work through three key movements: 1. A King Who Must Rise from His Grief.2. Then A Nation That Must Choose Unity Again. 3. A Return Marked by Mercy, Justice, and Surprising Encounter. This chapter is not as dramatic as Chapter 18. It is not fast‑moving like chapter 17; it is quieter, more relational, more human. It shows us that healing a kingdom — or a family, or a friendship, or a community — requires humility, patience, courage, and grace. So today, we explore a chapter where the king returns, the people come together, and the long work of restoration begins..... Welcome to the episode….Land Development Conversations with Developers, Builders, and Industry LeadersReal conversations from the development world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textTo receive my weekly newsletter: subscribe on Substack.Jeremy McCandless | SubstackTo receive all my podcasts early and  ad free follow me for free on Patreon:Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Today, we step into one of the most heartbreaking chapters in the entire life story of David.  If the last few episodes have shown us the slow build‑up of tension — the rebellion forming, the consequences unfolding, the escape narrowing — chapter 18 brings us to the moment where everything converges. This is the chapter where the battle finally breaks out. This is where Absalom's fate is sealed, and its the chapter where David's heart is broken. But beyond the heartbreak is something deeper: The faithfulness of God, the weight of choices, and the cost of rebellion. 1. The Battle Begins.  2. Absalom's Fate' 3. David's Grief. So, let's walk through a chapter filled with conflict, compassion, and consequences. A chapter that reminds us that leadership is sometimes costly, and the heart of God is always more tender than we imagine.... Welcome to the episode…  Land Development Conversations with Developers, Builders, and Industry LeadersReal conversations from the development world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textToday, we move into a chapter where the real battle isn't fought with swords or armies — it's fought with counsel, with strategy, and with the unseen hand of God quietly shaping the outcome.This is the chapter where human wisdom on one level reaches its highest point… and yet still falls short of the purposes of God. It's where the most brilliant strategist in Israel gives flawless advice — and God overturns it with a word. It's where Absalom looks unstoppable — and yet the seeds of his downfall are already being sown. We're going to walk through this chapter today in three sections: 1. Ahithophel's Counsel — Brilliant, Ruthless, and Humanly Unbeatable. t is almost flawless. From heaven's perspective, it is already doomed. 2. Hushai's Counter‑Counsel. Then Hushai steps forward with a plan that appeals not to strategy, but to Absalom's ego. And in that moment, God bends the heart of a rebellious son towards choosing the wrong plan — the very thing that will save David's life. 3. The Escape — God's Protection of David. David is exhausted, vulnerable, and outnumbered — but he is not unprotected. This chapter is a helpful reminder that God does not need the odds in His favour to accomplish His will.  He simply speaks — and the counsel of the wise is overturned.Welcome to the episode…. Land Development Conversations with Developers, Builders, and Industry LeadersReal conversations from the development world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textTo receive all my podcasts early and  ad free follow me for free on Patreon:Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | PatreonTo receive my weekly newsletter: subscribe on Substack.Jeremy McCandless | SubstackEpisode Notes:Today, we step into one of the most emotionally charged chapters in the entire story of David — a chapter where the king is down, the kingdom is shaking, and yet God is quietly, faithfully at work behind the scenes. Chapter 15 showed us David fleeing Jerusalem with a broken heart; Chapter 16 shows us what happens on the road — a road of humiliation, a road of loss, a road where everything familiar has been stripped away. And it's on that very road that God begins to reveal something really quite profound: This chapter will be unpacked through its three dramatic scenes, each one showing us a different angle of what it means to trust God when life is falling apart. 1. Verses 1–4 — We meet Ziba1.       Verses 5–13 — We then meet Shimei. 2.       Verses 14–23 — We see Absalom's Arrival in Jerusalem. This is a chapter about humiliation and betrayal, but also about faith, restraint, and the quiet, steady work of God in the background. It's a chapter that speaks to anyone who has ever walked through a season where life felt unfair, where people misunderstood you, or where circumstances seemed stacked against you. So, let's walk with David through this difficult chapter of his life— because in his story, we can discover something true about our own.... No matter what, God is still working. Welcome to the episode…..Land Development Conversations with Developers, Builders, and Industry LeadersReal conversations from the development world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textListen to my new podcast: https://therenewedmindpodcast.buzzsprout.comToday, we step into one of the great turning points in the entire story of David — a moment when the kingdom shakes, loyalties shift, and the consequences of years of unresolved pain finally erupt into out-and-out rebellion.If chapter 14 felt tense, chapter 15 feels explosive.This is the chapter where the unthinkable happens:David is forced to flee his own family and city because his own son has stolen the hearts of the people.It is heartbreaking. It is shocking, and it is deeply human.This chapter is more than a history lesson because I believe it is meant to warn us about what happens when ambition replaces humility, when image replaces integrity, when bitterness replaces reconciliation, and when leadership is tested when it is most vulnerable. So, let's step into another gripping chapter in the life of David — a chapter where the king is on the run, the kingdom is in crisis, and God is quietly at work behind the scenes.Welcome to the episode.Land Development Conversations with Developers, Builders, and Industry LeadersReal conversations from the development world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textIn today's episode, we will be looking at one of the most emotionally complex chapters in the entire story of David — a chapter filled with manipulation, political manoeuvring, and a father‑son relationship that never quite heals.This is a chapter about reconciliation — but not the kind we hope for. Not the kind that heals. Not the kind that restores. This is a chapter about a partial, political, and ultimately a dangerous, manipulative reconciliation. It's a chapter that shows us something we all need to understand: You can bring someone back geographically without bringing them back relationally. You can restore the appearance of unity…. without restoring the heart of unity and when reconciliation is attempted without truth, without repentance, and without genuine connection, the result is not peace — it's a ticking time bomb. So today, we're going to walk through this chapter in three movements, each one revealing a different layer of what happens when reconciliation is attempted… but never completed. 1. A Manipulated Reconciliation (vv. 1–20) 2. A Partial Restoration (vv. 21–24)3. A Reconciliation Without Relationship (vv. 25–33) This is a powerful chapter — not because of what happens, but because of what doesn't happen. It's a chapter that warns us about the danger of half‑hearted reconciliation, unresolved conflict, and relationships that look healed on the outside but remain broken on the inside.Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textIn today's episode, we step into one of the most painful and sobering chapters in all of Scripture — a chapter that shows us not only the depths of human sin, but the tragedy of wasted potential.If you've been following our journey through the life of David, you know that chapter 12 ended with forgiveness, restoration, and hope. God confronted David, David confessed, and God extended mercy. But forgiveness does not erase the consequences, and sometimes the consequences of our sin show up even in the next generation.This chapter introduces us to a young man named Amnon — David's firstborn son. A young man with every advantage. A man with royal privilege. A man positioned to inherit the throne. Someone who had potential written all over him.But potential is not the same as character. Furthermore, potential is not the same as discipline, and potential is not the same as obedience.So, in today's episode, we're going to look honestly at this painful chapter — not to dwell on the darkness, but to learn from it. To see the warnings and to understand the dangers. And to discover how we can meet our God‑given potential by cultivating the character Amnon refused to develop.Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textSubscribe to my new free weekly newsletter on Substack.https://substack.com/@jeremymccandlessIf a believer commits a colossal sin… is there any hope for that person?Our instinct is to answer quickly: “Of course there's hope!” But if we're honest — and if we're biblical — the answer is a little more nuanced.Sometimes the answer is yes. Sometimes the answer is yes, but not right now, and sometimes the answer is yes, but the road back will be long and painful.So, what determines how that future hope is played out?That's exactly what 2 Samuel 12 is about. David has just committed the darkest sin of his life — adultery, deception, and some would say, murder. And now the question hangs in the air: Is there hope for someone like that? Is there hope for a believer who has fallen that far? Is there hope for us when we fail?....Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textLife can be a battle sometimes. Not always the big, dramatic battles. Most of the time, the battles we fight are far quieter… and far closer to home.Because we also have a battle going on within ourselves — the tug‑of‑war between what we do and what we know is right. The truth is, the greatest battles of life are often the ones no one sees. And the question is: How do you win them, how can we  have victory over such days?That's where 2 Samuel 11 comes in.Because this chapter — the story of David and Bathsheba — is not just about a king who fell into serious sin. It's about a man who lost a battle long before he ever stepped onto that rooftop that day. It's about the subtle battles. the quiet battles, the daily battles. And how easily we can lose them if we're not paying attention……Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textSubscribe to my New Podcast, 'The Renewed Mind', wherever you get you podcast from or via;https://therenewedmindpodcast.buzzsprout.comEpisode Notes: Today, we turn a page. Because sometimes kindness is received with gratitude… and sometimes it is misunderstood.Sometimes kindness opens doors… but believe it or not, sometimes it can start a war.And that's exactly what happens in 2 Samuel 10.This chapter is a reminder that even the purest intentions can be misread, misinterpreted, and mishandled — and yet, as followers of Christ, we are still called to be kind.Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a text Today we're stepping into one of the more tender chapters in the Old Testament — a chapter that shows us what grace and kindness can look like when it's lived out in real life.A passage that reveals this same pattern for the Christian life of kindness as required under the New Covenant, but displayed here in the life of David in the Old Testament.Kindness as demonstrated today in 2 Samuel 9.Wednesday in the WordWhat the Bible means and how we know, the longest running Bible study podcast in the worldListen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textToday we're stepping into a chapter that, at first glance, looks like a bit of a military report — a list of battles, victories, and conquered territories. But if you slow down, if you listen carefully, if you ask the right questions… this chapter becomes a window into something far deeper.This chapter is about success but not the kind of success you find in a business book or on social media. Not the kind of success the world celebrates.This is God's definition of success.And that's what we're going to explore today….Wednesday in the WordWhat the Bible means and how we know, the longest running Bible study podcast in the worldListen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textIf you want to understand Scripture, there are certain passages you simply must know. Foundational passages. Pillars. Anchors. If you were building a list of essential Old Testament texts, I'd suggest you'd probably start with:Genesis 1 — God created everything.Genesis 3 — humanity fell.Genesis 12 — God made a covenant with Abraham.Exodus 14 — the Exodus, the defining moment for Israel.Exodus 20 — the Ten Commandments.Isaiah 53 — the suffering Messiah.Psalm 16 — the resurrection foretold.Psalm 23 — the Shepherd who walks with us.But there's another passage — one many Christians overlook — that you must understand if you want to understand the Bible as a whole.I believe it is this passage is 2 Samuel chapter 7.So, let's step into it together.Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textListen to my new 'Classic Literature Podcast' by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts from. Or visit the podcast website:https://theclassicliteraturepodcast.buzzsprout.comToday's Episode Notes:Sometimes you can obey the Lord — sincerely, wholeheartedly — and still face difficulty despite that obedience. Sometimes doing the right thing can even bring unexpected pain.Sometimes faithfulness leads you straight into a storm.Sometimes, a commitment to God creates conflict you never asked for elsewhere in your life. And when that happens, the question becomes: What do you do when obedience brings hardship? That's exactly the tension we find in 2 Samuel 6 — one of the most surprising and emotionally charged chapters in David's story. So, get ready, as we step into this remarkable passage….Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textSometimes when we see God blessing someone, we can get the wrong idea. We start to think they must be flawless. Untouchable. Spiritually elite. Almost superhuman.Doctrinally, we know better. We know everyone has sinned. We know every believer has weaknesses. But practically? Emotionally? We sometimes forget that.And if there's any place in Scripture that reminds us how blessing and brokenness can coexist in the same person, it's the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. And if there's one chapter that puts both truths side by side — God's blessing and human imperfection — it's 2 Samuel chapter 5.Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textToday we're stepping back into 2 Samuel chapter 4 — a short chapter, but one packed with tension, and difficult moral choices, and a reminder of what it means to do the right thing when everyone around you seems to be doing the opposite.Human beings have the God‑given ability to distinguish between right and wrong. Even people who don't believe in the bible , still have “the works of the law written on their hearts.” They have a conscience. And that conscience, Paul says, either accuses them or excuses them.Because while every human being has a sense of right and wrong, a lot of things can distort it.Public opinion can distort it.Peer pressure can distort it.Personal preference can distort it.And sometimes, as Scripture says, the conscience can become “damaged-seared,” no longer sensitive to God's truth. The modern expression is that someone can lose their moral compass. So, the question becomes: How do we live by the rules of right and wrong in a world where so many things pull us off course? 2 Samuel 4 gives us a vivid picture of that.So, let's step into the story…. Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textOne of the most successful television programs in the UK in the 1960's when I was growing up, was called Jack-a-Nory, which was originally broadcast between 1965 and 1996. All the top actors of the day were delighted to be asked to come on it and simply sit in a chair and read a story. It began with a simple short phrase. “Are you sitting comfortably. Let me tell you a story.” And it had a winning formula because children love stories.Adults love stories, and older folks love telling stories.Stories connect with us in a way that facts alone never can. And apparently, God agrees — because the Bible is full of stories. It's a book that is not just commands, not just doctrines, not just principles, but stories. Real people. Real choices. With real consequences played out. Some stories show us what to imitate.Some show us what to avoid.I think 2 Samuel 3 is one of those stories. It's messy.It's political.It's full of flawed people making questionable decisions.And yet, right in the middle of it, God is quietly at work — moving His purposes forward, shaping His king, and teaching us something about how His work gets done in the real world. So let's step into the story…..Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textWar and peace have been with us since Cain and Abel. Conflicts can show up in families. They show up between siblings. They show up in neighbourhoods, workplaces, churches, and nations, and they also show up in the human heart.  Conflicts and agreements — can weave their way through every generation, every community, every life. And that raises a question we all have to wrestle with at some point: What causes conflict, and can we pursue peace? I believe 2 Samuel chapter 2 gives us an insight into both answers. This chapter is a story of a nation trying to find its footing after the death of a king. It's a story of loyalties, rivalries, misunderstandings, and choices…. Choices that either build peace or ignite war. And right in the middle of it all stands David, a man trying to follow God faithfully in a world that is anything but simple….Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textYou know, life has a way of surprising us with moments that we never quite feel prepared for.David receives news of two deaths on the same day: the death of Saul, the man who was his enemy and had hunted him for years, and the death of Jonathan, the friend who had stood by him through everything.And what's fascinating is the way David responds. His reaction teaches us something very important about grief, loyalty, integrity, and the way God shapes our hearts even through the most complicated emotions….Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textPlease be aware there may be some confusion and stake with my podcast category placement of episodes over the next few weeks as I attempt to migrate my future posts within the new five podcast framework I am rolling out beginning January 4th 2026.Welcome, friends, to a brand‑new season of The Bible Project Daily Podcast. This new season will go live worldwide on the 4th of January 2026. I'm so glad you're here for this early peek. Whether you've travelled with me for many seasons or you're joining us for the very first time, I want you to know this: you're in the right place, and I believe God has something meaningful for us in the days ahead.In this next season (Series 17) of The Bible Project Daily Podcast, we're stepping into the dramatic and deeply human world of 2 Samuel. It's a story that doesn't shy away from the complexity of real life, and yet through every twist and turn, it reveals a God who remains faithful, patient, and profoundly involved in the lives of His people.My hope is that as we walk through these 25 episodes together, you'll not only understand the text more clearly, but you'll also hear the gentle invitation of God calling you deeper—into wisdom, into trust, and into a renewed sense of His presence in your everyday life.So, settle in and let's begin this journey through 2 Samuel—one episode at a time, one passage at a time, one verse at a time, and let's take a step closer to the God who speaks through His Word….Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textMy New Podcast launches today. "The Classic Literature Podcast".Subscribe and follow it wherever you get your podcast from.Podcast Website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906The First Ever Episode of The Classic Literature Podcast.“In the beginning was the Word…” — John 1:1Welcome to The Classic Literature Podcast. I'm your host, Jeremy McCandless, and I'm so glad you've joined me for this first episode of a new bi-monthly journey—one that explores the great works of classic literature, approaching these great books via the world out of which they emerged—a cultural heritage, rich in spiritual metaphor.Each season, we'll walk alongside the giants of literary history—authors who in many ways have shaped nations, stirred hearts, whilst at the same time wrestling with the deepest questions of human existence. But we won't just admire their craft. We'll ask: What spiritual soil did these stories grow from? What echoes of grace and redemption resound within their pages?

Send us a textMy latest podcast went live last night.This big step forward for me finds me podcasting within the area of Mental Health.The plan is for it to be a bi-weekly podcast and will be available on all the main Podcast platforms and found within the genres and categories of Mental Health, Self Improvement, Psychology, as well as Christian Spirituality. Pray that it reaches those in need.Please subscribe and follow it wherever you get your podcast from. Link to the website is below.https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891Episode Notes:Welcome to The Renewed Mind, a podcast dedicated to the art of thriving in a broken world. I'm your host, Jeremy McCandless, and together, we are going to try and build a bridge between two worlds.The 2,000-year-old wisdom of faith and the last couple of centuries years of psychological discovery.Whether you're wrestling with depression, anxiety, or simply hungry for a deeper sense of purpose, pull up a chair. Your journey toward a whole heart and a healthy mind can start right now, today.Together, we will dive into some of the best of psychological history has had to offer, but also underpin it within a bedrock of spiritual truth in order to give you the tools you need to thrive—spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.If you're ready to break the chains of negative patterns and embrace the abundant life you are promised, you're in the right place. And let your transformation begin….Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textOriginally posted in July 2025 and previously only available on Patreon. Exploring Simone Weil's radical vision of attention, affliction, and God's love—and how the gospel both fulfills and challenges her deepest insights.”Support the showFollow and Support All my Creative endeavours on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Check out my other Podcasts. The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast). https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906

Send us a textMy Karl Barth Presentation and Debate Notes, (1st July 2025)1. Historical Context & Reaction to Liberal Theology2. Early Life and Theological Development3. His Epistle to the Romans Commentary.4. Theological Method & Key Themes.5. Church Dogmatics.6. Political Resistance & the Barmen Declaration.7. Relationship with Charlotte von Kirschbaum.8. Later Years & Legacy.9. Influence & Theological Contributions.10. Final Reflections.Support the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Send us a textThis is my chat through an essay I published on Patreon in May 2025 based upon an article I wrote a which had previously been published on Substack. In the original essay, I reflect on the growing confusion of our times—where language is manipulated, institutions are distrusted, and meaning is obscured.But instead of retreating into cynicism or chaos, I position the Christian response as a call for a return to reality grounded in truth. Drawing on biblical reference s and 20th-century German Christian philosopher Josef Pieper, to explore how clarity in thought, speech, and action becomes an act of spiritual resistance in a disoriented world.The essay was to be a call for Christians to live truthfully, love what is good, and re-anchor our lives in the unshakable reality of God's Word. Whether confronting false narratives or rebuilding broken systems, we are invited to resist the drift into abstraction and recommit to lives shaped by virtue, sacrifice, and the hope of Christ's Kingdom. Listen in for a timely challenge to live with courage, integrity, and unwavering trust in God's truth.A Link to the original essay is found below.https://jeremymccandless.substack.com/p/the-war-of-words-language-power-and?r=2r7o2cSupport the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Send us a textBonus episode during my Christmas break.Returning in the new Year with II Samuel.Original offered as a Patreon Only Video on 11th May 2025.The video from which this audio is taken is now available free to view on Patreon.Support the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Send us a textFew stories have entered the cultural bloodstream like A Christmas Carol. First published in December 1843, it was an instant success—selling out its first edition within days and never going out of print since.At its heart, A Christmas Carol is a gospel narrative. Ebenezer Scrooge begins as a man enslaved by greed, isolated by pride, and blind to the grace of others. He is like the rich fool of Luke 12, hoarding wealth while at the same time starving his own soul. But through the visitation of three spirits, representing past memories, Judgment, and Mercy, he is transformed. His journey is not just psychological—it is spiritual. It is the journey of repentance in story form.Culturally, Dickens, through this story, reshaped our idea of Christmas itself. Before A Christmas Carol, the holiday was fading in England—seen by many as old-fashioned, even unnecessary. Dickens revived it with this book.But probably more important is the fact that he gave us the language of generosity and gave unction to the conviction that Christmas is a time for compassion. In doing so, he did more than entertain—he evangelized a whole culture. He preached a gospel of joy to a society that had all but forgotten it. For us friends, this episode is not just a beloved tale—it's a spiritual truth. Revealing that no heart is too hard for God's grace to reach. That no soul is too lost for redemption. And that Christmas, at its core, is not about sentiment—it is about salvation. Happy Christmas.Support the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Send us a textThe subject of today's episode is one we usually avoid in polite conversation, and honestly, I have never heard it addressed from the pulpit. We're talking about the decision to take one's own life, suicide. I know that just saying the word can cause a tightening in the chest. But we have to talk about it, because 1 Samuel 31 very clearly ends with King Saul taking his own life.If you, or if you know someone is struggling, I want you to hear me clearly: There is hope. Before you go any further, I want you to write a number down. Put it in your phone. In the US, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is 988. In the UK, it's an organization called The Samaritans, and you can call them free on 116 123 They're free, it's confidential, and it's available 24/7. Please, don't try to walk through that "narrow" place alone.My New book, "The Renewed Mind", available now at;https://amzn.eu/d/0RkxBbgSupport the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Send us a textOne of the most infamous characters in all of literature is, without a doubt, Ebenezer Scrooge. From A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. In it he paints a picture of a man who is the very definition of mean-spirited.  But the beauty of that story is the ending. It concludes with a radical transformation. The skinflint becomes a gentle, kind soul.But here is the question that prompts us in the real world: Is that actually possible? Can a greedy, stingy person really be transformed into a generous one? Or is that just a nice Christmas story, almost a fairy tale we tell ourselves at Christmas? Today, I want to take you to a desperate moment in the Old Testament—tucked away in 1 Samuel Chapter 30—that answers that question. It shows us not just what generosity looks like, but the intense pressure cooker required to produce it….Support the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Send us a textScripture repeatedly assures us that God protects those who trust Him. That truth is woven all through the Bible. But here's a question that may surprise you. Does God ever protect people when they are not really trusting in Him very? The answer, remarkably, is yes. There is an episode in the life of David where God protects him in precisely that way—quietly, unexpectedly, and without David asking for it. And that episode is found in 1 Samuel chapter 29.  What makes this passage so striking is not just that God protects David, but how He does it, and why He does it.To get my latest book, "The Renewed Mind - A Spiritual Path to Overcoming Depression and Anxiety". https://amzn.eu/d/dL4oIYqSupport the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Send us a textThis episode was originally released as a Patreon-only special episode on the 10th May 2025.Mindfulness The 1970's Buddhist appropriation of Prayer and Reflection.Thích Nhất Hạnh, the Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, peace activist, and prolific author, stands as one of the most influential contemporary figures in introducing Buddhist thought, particularly mindfulness meditation, to Western audiences. His 1975 work, "The Miracle of Mindfulness," offered an introduction to mindfulness, not merely as a spiritual technique but as an encompassing way of life. Hạnh's message, deeply rooted in Mahayana Buddhism and Vietnamese Zen traditions, is characterized by gentleness and commitment to nonviolence.While these teachings on presence and compassion have resonated with individuals across various religious and secular paths, their underlying metaphysical assumptions present significant divergences when viewed from a Christian worldview.Themes:1. The Nature of the Self: Created Dignity vs. Illusory Ego2. The Problem of Suffering: Moral Transgression vs. Karmic Ignorance3. The Path to Liberation: Divine Redemption vs. Self-Realization4. Temporal Presence and Eternal Hope: The Trajectory of Time5. The Nature of the Divine: Personal God vs. Non-Theistic InterbeingConclusion: Christians must be anchored in a Different NarrativeThích Nhất Hạnh's "The Miracle of Mindfulness" offers some insights into the idea of living in the moment, but in my opinion, not adding anything to what the Stoics taught 2000+ years ago. However, from a Christian theological perspective, its foundational assumptions about the self, suffering, salvation, time, and the nature of ultimate reality diverge significantly from the Christian worldview.Christianity anchors its understanding of life and its spiritual practices in a revealed narrative: the story of creation by a personal God, the tragic fall of humanity into sin, the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, and the promised hope of future restoration and eternal communion with God. This narrative provides a framework where the self is not an illusion to be overcome but a creation to be redeemed, where suffering finds its ultimate answer not in mindful detachment alone but in the sacrificial love of God, and where the present moment, while sacred, points towards an eternal future in relationship with a personal, loving Creator.A full essay presenting my views to an entirely secular readership/audience can be found on my Substack. Sign up and follow me there for access to future posts in blog and essay format.https://open.substack.com/pub/jeremymccandless/p/a-christian-reflection-on-thich-nhat?r=2r7o2c&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueSupport the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com