Podcasts about scripture references psalm

Episode Summary: Not one of us is exempt from loss. We lose what we expected, what we thought we believed, what we dreamed, our sense of security or identity. We lose friendships. We lose people we love. What do we do with the disruption, the devastation of loss? How do we survive unpredictable grief, ongoing suffering, and the questions about God that happen in the dark nights of our lives? None of us want to be in seasons of sorrow. But sometimes the dark nights of life and faith have strange gifts. On the other side, we find ourselves free from the superficial in our lives. We discover peace and the assurance that we are loved. And we may experience a deeper, more honest relationship with the God we found in the dark. In this episode, I sit down with pastor and author Aubrey Sampson to talk about navigating deep loss and learning to sense God’s presence in the darkest seasons. Quotables from the episode: For me, writing was a prayer, writing was an anchor to God, writing was trying to figure out what in the world was happening when everything felt very out of control. And ultimately, writing did become a lifeline to hope in the midst of something that felt very hopeless. Grief is also very difficult to find language for, to explain, because it can feel like so many jumbled, opposed, and poignant metaphors or events all at once. Grief is like jumping on a cheerless trampoline, a constant disorientation between adrenaline and gravity. Grief is an empty, dilapidating playground, a sad, stoic icon of lost memories and what could have been. Grief is a firestone, full of uncontrollable destruction and rage and simultaneously a mudslide, sloppy, shocking and unstoppable. Grief is a planet, vast, cold, and mysterious, and grief is somehow also a roly-poly pill bug, often unnoticed by others, unarmored and earthy. The questions I was asking felt like almost like I described them in the book as like baby-deer questions. They just felt very vulnerable to me to be asking a God that I have centered my life around questions like, "Are you real? Is your arm too short to heal cancer? Where are you? Are my prayers hitting the ceiling fan or are they actually going to your ears, Lord?" I was asking some questions that I sort of felt like I should not be asking these, not because I felt ashamed. I know God can handle our hard questions. It wasn't that. It was just like, I should be beyond these questions by now. But the grief was so tender, Michelle, and so close. Some of my prayers were like, “how could you? Like, how dare you?” And part of it was her journey. She experienced healing from cancer about a year in and they didn't call it remission yet. But the doctors did say, this is great, cancer -free, the chemo's done what it should, and then about three months later, it came back with a vengeance. So that was some of it too. The whiplash of it made me ask God some really difficult questions. Like, “can you do anything good in this, God? Like, this feels so lacking in goodness, so lacking in hope, so lacking in beauty you are taking a mom away from three young sons you are taking a daughter away from parents a sister away from sister. Can your goodness reach even into this place?” There's just so many situations that prompt those honest gut level questions. Like, I know you God, but I don't understand. I don't understand and God often doesn't answer our why, but he does invite us to be honest with our questions. I mean, I think about so many in the Bible and some of the questions they ask, you know, it'd be easy to say, well, how could they dare? But we ask our own variety of those same questions. And I find it helpful to read those questions in scripture because, you know, you find some comfort in, "Okay, these were historical, ecumenical, faithful followers of God throughout history, and yet they are asking God the same questions. How long, O Lord? How lonely, I feel." Lamentations is full of these, like, "How could you? How dare you? How will you fix this?" And so to be able to know that actually, though it feels opposite of our faith. Actually, this type of posture before God is a very, I think, crucial part of our faith journey. I think God actually allows us and wants us to ask those questions on purpose as part of our spiritual formation. Again, we kind of get into our heads as if this isn't faithful or something's wrong. I'm going backwards spiritually, but then when you read those questions all throughout scripture, you can find some comfort in like, okay, these people are in the Bible, right? They were faithful followers of God. They're asking the same questions I'm asking. Yeah, God used them as examples for us. That's it. To teach us, to encourage us. One thing that you want as a Christian, even in your darkest hours, is for God to come for you with a sense of comfort. Holy Spirit provides you peace. Holy Spirit provides you a sense that God is with you. God sees you. God is around you. And what I found in my season of grief was that was not occurring. I could not sense God with me. I couldn't hear God speaking to me. I could not “connect with God.” I was just like, “God, where are you? Like, I can't even sense your spirit comforting me and I need you more than ever.” And I began because of the Lord's kindness, I was meeting with a spiritual director at the time. And I began to read about a very common spiritual experience again throughout history, again throughout the Bible, called the Dark Night of the Soul. Which, again, we tend to use it a little generically just to me, and I'm going through a hard time, that's a Dark Night of the Soul. A dark night of the soul was coined by St. John of the Cross right after the Spanish Inquisition. And what he talked about was the very thing I'm talking about, when you cannot sense God answering your prayers, when you cannot sense God's nearness, when you cannot see what God is doing, that sense of God's quote "absence" is actually what it means to walk through a dark night of the soul. That can happen in grief, it can happen in loss, it can happen just in life, midlife crisis, it can happen. And what we find in dark nights of the soul is something that We know to be true, God never leaves us nor forsakes us. But for some reason, God does tend to pull back that "felt sense of His presence." And part of what God is doing, we can't all understand everything God is doing, but part of what God is doing is teaching us that our faith is not just about a feeling. Our faith is about the object of our faith, Jesus. And so, whether we're "feeling" the presence of God or not, can we choose to have faith that says He is true, His character is true, He is steadfast, I will keep believing, I will keep leaning in, I will keep being faithful even when I can't "feel" Him. And there's something mysterious and explosive and actually good that we find in dark nights of the soul even though it's often quite painful and confusing. Michelle, it is hard to sort of find yourself on the grief map when you're in it, especially when it's fresh. And so sometimes you don't know is where I'm at normal, okay, should I be farther along than I am. And the hard part is, depending on the context texture from, often people want you to be further along than you actually are. And you're just not, I mean, it just until you've walked through grief, you, you don't know, no, no, no, I can't move faster than I can move. I am right where I am. And that's as far as I can go. I wrote about these, these three different moments in darkness to try to at least help readers, grievers, someone walking through any type of loss or transition to sort of go, "Okay, I might find myself here." And also, to say any of those places are right where you're supposed to be. God is not rushing you past the finish line of pain. Some of us, I think, like I said, rush past it or pretend it isn't happening, but just to go, "Okay, God, things are changing. This is a new season. I don't necessarily like it. I don't really enjoy why I'm here, but I'm going to trust you've got some discoveries for me. And so, I'm going to keep open to whatever you're doing as the night falls. And then the next phase, midnight, I mean, this is where I wrote about my best friend's jet death and just everything changing. I mean, it is just the onslaught of grief that you feel physically, you feel emotionally you experience spiritually it's in your body it's in your mind it's you know you know this from the mental health world your brain is flat you can't really function the way that you used to function and I wanted to put some language for that again just to say it is normal and your only job is to be gentle with yourself at your spiritual midnight your emotional midnight like just Be kind to yourself. Be kind to yourself. I think we want to learn the lesson and we want to build the muscles and we want to build resilience. We want to grow in our depth and our meaning. That will come, but it is okay to be right where you are for as long as you need to be, especially in that initial onslaught of grief. We write a lot about that in the section on midnight. And then the last section, when I was very careful not to do, Michelle, and I think you'll appreciate this as one who talks about her own depression. I didn't want to say, "But the sun is coming. Sunrise is on its way." I did not want to write another book about, like, quote, "sunny spirituality," because that's not always what healing is. Healing isn't always darkness to light. Sometimes healing is this gradual progression of, "Oh, I see a little glimmer of hope here." Okay, here's some light coming through. I think so often we celebrate like the mountaintop, or the victory and we forget to celebrate what a courageous thing it is to step out in community again after loss or try something new after loss or frankly put pants on and go to Target after loss like those are victories. And so, I wanted to write and sort of normalize that healing can look dramatic. And in a moment, healing can also be very slow. And isn't, you know, isn't always just your sun. Sometimes it's like, you know, here's some stars in your darkness, that's healing too. In one sense, I think you do the things you don't do, meaning you rest Sabbath if you're not someone who has done that before, try to sleep if you can. I think this is a time to take up spiritual practices of slowness, stillness, silence, listening. I guess what I'm trying to say is there's not a lot you have to do. And especially early on in the dark night of the soul. And I said this before I will say it again and again and again, be gentle with yourself. I mean, you know, any listener who or view or who has been through loss knows, you often can't even remember like what shampoo is or how to shampoo your hair, let alone want to, or want to, that's a very good point, or even have the desire to. So I think a thing you do is be gentle with yourself Loss, grief, darkness can be very isolating. And so I think it is so important that you allow yourself intentionally to reach out to the safe people in your life. That doesn't have to be everybody. You don't have to be best friends with everyone who wants to come around you or, but who are the safe, trusted people that you can say, I can't pray right now, so I need you to pray for me. I am hurting right now. I need somebody just to know. I think the community piece is so important. We are not meant to do the faith journey alone. We're not meant to do grief alone. We're not meant to do darkness alone. We need some traveling companions. And again, you get to choose who those people are. There are some people for some reason that it just can't go with you in dark places and that's okay. But if you have some safe people that can't, you know, let them be a lifeline to you. It's hard in grief because people will often very well meaning ask you, what can I do for you? What do you need? And you just don't have the wherewithal to do it. So, on the flip side, I would say if you are walking with someone who's in a dark season, don't even ask, just say, I've sent you a Chipotle gift card, it's going to arrive in your mail, Uber Eats, whatever it is. I've sent you a gift card to any service, use it when you need to. I think some of that proactive approach for someone who's walking through darkness is really helpful too. Oh, for - Sure, because it's almost like the brain fog and the decision fatigue is so great that it's too hard to think about what I could ask someone else to do. Plus, if you've just lost having to ask someone for help, you risk rejection, which is another form of loss. So, what about the person who feels like their faith is being shaken by their dark night? What would you say to that person? Because we know the enemy is crafty and he seeks to steal, kill and destroy and he watches so intently. So, he knows when we're at our weakest point, so how do So how do we fight back against that? - Yeah, I think that is so good because what you don't want to do is get in a mindset where you are thinking God caused this pain in my life. God is not the author of pain, author of evil. God in Jesus conquered death. So those things are not from God. But what we and trust is that God is in them, redeeming them, making all things new. I think it's important to know this again, this is a normal part of your spiritual walk. I think sometimes again, we can think, the scaffolding of my faith is being shaken, that's bad, that's bad, that's bad. But sometimes to be disillusioned spiritually is a really good healthy thing because you're not living an illusion anymore. And so, some of the things that you have clung to that are false ideas about God, about faith, God is actually shaking those up on purpose. And that's something good he does in darkness is you find, you know, your faith is a little more explosive, a little more intimate, because you've embraced mystery and God's bigness and the boxes that you put God in suddenly God is breaking out of all of that is very good all of that is part of spiritual formation it can feel like it's you're going backwards but again if you can keep leaning in staying connected to God you find on the other side of that a greater intimacy with God however what you just talked about the spiritual attack that can come. I do think we have to be wise about this. I have a good friend who talks about these are the moments when you just have to contend for your faith. Like Jesus, I am not going anywhere. I am putting my anchor of faith in the ground. I am believing that you are good. I am believing that you do good. Any light otherwise is from the enemy, I plead the blood of Jesus over it and I will not walk in it. And so that's a hard muscle when you are depressed, dark, grieving. It's hard to kind of know what's spiritual attack, what's, you know, my just mental state is not okay, what is just, I'm sad, right? And so, I do think this going back to community where it's so helpful to have your other friends pray for you and you don't have to wherewithal to do it yourself. And to say, okay, Lord, I hate everything about this, but you have called yourself faithful and so I'm going to believe you are faithful. I think there's some work we have to do, Michelle, like to remember in the darkness what we knew in the light, remember in the desert what we knew in the garden seasons of our lives, remember in the valley what we knew on the mountaintop, like there is some work of recall, okay. God has been good to me, God has been good throughout history, God's character is true, I will choose to believe that even though this is like the fight of my life right now, and God honors that kind of faith and that kind of wrestle, he really does. And I appreciate what you're saying about remembering what we knew in the light and taking that into those dark places. I think it's also so important for us to remember, just as you said, God doesn't cause pain. He doesn't cause hardship. But God is always concerned with us growing. I love to garden. I'm a very impatient gardener, but I love to garden. But what it has taught me is that the most crucial growth happens below the soil in the dark place. And while none of us wants to go through pain and suffering, if we can appreciate that God is in that dark place and cultivating something good, that's a hope line that we can hold on to when it doesn't feel good. Think about Jesus in the garden. That was a dark place. His friends wouldn't even stay awake, right? And yet it was a good thing that came out of it because even though he was so honest and I love his honesty, Father, if there is any other way that this cup could pass from me, please, please do it, but ultimately, I want your will, not mine. And I think that's so important for us to remember that our savior of the world went through that dark night. Thankfully God is so patient with us. - Yes. - Oh, so patient with us. And I began to sense God sort of lovingly drawing me back to the word, but not for performance, not for study, not for output, not even for preparation. Just, "Hey, you're my daughter. Why don't you just come and read one song, read one, one little verse?" And I began in my mind to call it inchworm Bible reading where I just would read one song and then I would read it again. And then the next day read it again. And I was not accomplishing anything deeply spiritual, very profound. But there was something healing. And it won the words of the Psalms and this beautiful book of prayers and poems and laments for the people of God. And a lot of them are about pain and suffering. So that was one to find language for what I was walking through. But also, it was like, I felt like, again, God just let me be a human being and not a human doing. And I just got to sit in his presence. And it didn't matter how much I accomplished, it didn't matter that I made some beautiful social media post, wrote a sermon based on the reading, it was just about connecting with the father. And the Lord was again, very patient with me. And in time, I just began to sense all of that was God kind of reminding me, “I'm here, I'm still here. There's a rope tethering you to me. I am not going to let you go." And so that inchworm Bible reading, as silly as it sounds, became very profound. I feel like God found me again in that. It's such a profound act of worship and faith to run to God with those things because he would rather us come to him with that type of anger and raw questions and authenticity than walk away in apathy. And so whatever you can do, whether it's journaling, praying aloud in your car, writing, singing, painting, Whatever it is to give those heart things to the Lord is in itself an act of worship and connection and a tool. When we go through such incredibly painful times, like the dark night of the soul that we talked about before the break, it's natural in our humanness to ask, why did this happen? Those questions are the right questions to be asking. Those are the questions that God loves to hear. And so, I would invite you to ask those questions to God and wait as long as it takes for God to answer. You do not give up. But I would also say this, hope is coming, light is coming. The dark night does not say dark forever. Grief stays for a very long time, but it changes shape. I grieve my best friend Jen differently. We just celebrated her 45th birthday. I grieve her differently on her 45th birthday than I did two years ago. I still miss her deeply. The grief is different. I am different. The way I experience grief is different. I've had new losses since Jen and those are different. And so, it is okay to also remind yourself that hope is coming. You can continue to choose to hope even when you feel hopeless, can ask other people to hold that for you and you can't hold it yourself. I think, again, that's a beautiful part of the Christian faith is it's not meant to be individual; it's meant to be collective and communal. And so, Michelle, I can borrow your hope and your faith when I don't have any and you can borrow mine when you don't have any and all of those things the Lord will use to bring you back to a place of hope and delight and goodness and even joy again in His presence with other people and hope for the future. What you're walking through is normal. It is not antithetical to your faith, but part of the faith journey. I want to tell you to keep leaning into Jesus because he is faithful and true. And I would also, I think about the words of Psalm 40:40 where David says I'm at the bottom of my pit and what I found Lord is that you lifted me out and I kind of referred to this subtly a minute ago but there is that spiritual tether connecting you to God if you're a person in Jesus and God is not going to let you stay in your pit the rest of your life God is not going to you alone in your pit. And in fact, what's so beautiful about Jesus in his suffering, he crawls down in our pits with us, does not leave us alone in them. And so you have a friend in suffering who is actually in it with you, but outside of it able to redeem it and able to make something beautiful and new in the situation that seems so painful now. I just want to remind you that the temptation is great to pull away from God and from others especially when we've just gone through a period of loss, but I'm encouraging you consistent With God's admonition that you continue to cry out to him be honest with him ask the types of questions that Aubrey shared that she asked. There's no shame in that and God is big enough to handle that. Scripture References: Psalm 88:12 “Are your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion?” Psalm 88:1 “Lord, you are the God who saves me; day and night I cry out to you.” Recommended Resources: What We Find in the Dark: Loss, Hope, and God’s Presence in Grief by Aubrey Sampson Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Aubrey Sampson: Website / Facebook / Instagram For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson) / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Guest: Aubrey Sampson (MA, evangelism and leadership) coplanted and is on staff at Renewal Church, a multiethnic congregation in Chicagoland. She is an author a coach with Propel Women Cohorts and the cohost of The Nothing is Wasted Podcast. She is passionate about helping hurting Christians find God’s presence in their pain. She and her husband, Kevin, and their three hilarious sons live, minister, and play in the Chicagoland area. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Psalm 91 – God's Situation Room | Pastor Dee DeeWhat if you could step into God's “Situation Room” every single day—the secret place where His presence, power, and protection surround you? In this episode, Pastor Dee Dee unpacks Psalm 91 as more than just a scripture—it's your personal spiritual stronghold and strategy center.You'll learn how to: Dwell in the secret place of the Most High Live under God's divine protection Walk in the authority Jesus already gave you Overcome fear with faith and confidence Trust God's timing for the “greater thing” He has for you This is more than encouragement—it's an invitation to live anchored in God's promises, no matter what's happening around you.Scripture References: Psalm 91, Luke 10:19, Malachi 4:2, Hebrews 1:14

In this episode of Anchored in the Word, Dave Jenkins addresses a struggle many believers face but rarely voice—losing joy in prayer, Bible reading, and attending church. Drawing from Psalm 16:11, Psalm 119:103, Acts 2:42–47, and other passages, Dave explains why joy in these spiritual disciplines can fade and offers biblical, practical steps to rekindle delight in God's presence. You'll hear encouragement rooted in the gospel, advice for building consistency, and reminders that these are not burdens, but gifts that nourish the soul. Whether you feel spiritually dry or simply want to deepen your joy in the Lord, this episode will help you return to the sweetness of knowing God through His Word, prayer, and the fellowship of the saints. ________________________________________

The next generation is watching...are we reflecting Christ in what we do and say? Here’s how to leave a legacy of faith they’ll never forget. In this prayer and devotional, we are invited to consider how our lives serve as a living testimony for the next generation. The psalmist's charge is clear: don’t just talk about God’s wonders—live them. Keneesha Saunders-Liddie urges us to be consistent in our walk with Christ, modeling integrity, joy, and perseverance so that younger believers can see Jesus reflected in our everyday lives. Today's Bible Verse: Psalm 78:4 – “We will not hide them from their children, but rather tell the coming generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.”

Episode Summary: In this episode, Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper shares her powerful story of how a rare neuromuscular disorder abruptly ended her 20-year career as an OB/GYN, transforming her life in an instant. From delivering thousands of babies to becoming a patient herself, Vickie opens up about the pain of losing her identity as a doctor and battling bitterness. Yet, in the midst of her struggle, she discovered the faithfulness of God, who used her season of forced rest to bring healing, comfort, and purpose. Through scripture, gratitude, and a shift in focus, Vickie learned how to trust God, reclaim her identity in Christ, and ultimately use her experience to offer hope and comfort to others facing their own trials. Quotables from the episode: What I have found is that if we will allow God to, he will take our deepest areas of pain and discomfort and ultimately use it for our good. I was an OB /GYN doctor, delivered 5,000 babies during my career. And that was such a treasure, such a privilege to be there at that special moment at the beginning of life, to be the first person to hold a newborn baby. So, I was in the operating room doing a C-section when all of a sudden, my hands refused to obey my brain. And I kept staring at them, expecting them to move, and they were just still. Now, I say suddenly, in reality, about six weeks before, I had been diagnosed with a disease called myasthenia gravis, but it initially only affected my eyes. So, we knew what was happening, and I was having some subtle symptoms, but I was preparing for a 57-mile bicycle ride across the state of Missouri the next day. I was kind of ignoring some symptoms. So, when I say suddenly, I don't really mean suddenly, but it felt suddenly. I went from being a surgeon in the operating room to being a patient in the emergency room in an instant. It was a very painful season from the outset because not only did, in an instant, I lose my career, my ability to ride my bicycle, and all the other active things that I loved about my life, but I also felt betrayed by my own profession. I think the beginning of a wound that was the most difficult to heal from, that I had to fight was a root of bitterness. When the Bible talks about a root of bitterness, you just think about weeds in your yard or your flower garden or whatever. If you don't pull up that whole entire root, there are little tentacles that go deep down inside. And I just felt like I was feeding the root of bitterness. I was rehearsing all the things I wanted to say or wish I would have said. I was rehearsing you know, "Oh, wasn't this horrible what happened to me?" I was angry, and I was nurturing that root of bitterness. And I knew that if I didn't deal with it, it would absolutely destroy me. I had to shift my mindset. I had to shift my focus. I had to put my eyes on the Lord. I already had done a lot of Bible study and had a good foundation of the Word of God. It was so cool how God would bring a scripture through a card that I got in the mail or through a phone call that I got or what I had read that morning. And then he would just affirm and reaffirm that all day long. That assured me of his presence, but it was being in his word in advance and shifting my mindset to a focus of what I had rather than what had happened to me. I would get up in the mornings and I would just go outside with the stars still out and I would literally count my blessings, just focusing on some gratitude. I was always a person that liked to write in journal. So, I started writing out my struggle through a blog and then eventually a little small book about forgiveness. I always say it's not a book to read, it's a book to do. I have to reread it myself because I went through additional things after that. After that, my 30 -year marriage ended, and so I had to sort of practice what I preached. When I lost my career as an OB/Gyn, that became an identity issue because when you’re a physician, you’re Dr. So-and-so, and it becomes so much a part of your identity. I caution not to let our identity be in anything that can be lost. If our identity is not in Christ which is permanent anchor for our soul and our only hope that never shifts the foundation that is firm, then anything that can be lost, we can lose ourselves whether it’s being a mom or being a wife or any of those things. I had to make sure that my identity was secure in Christ. Our occupation is what “we do,” it’s not “who I am.” God gave me comfort to know that God would use my situation to comfort others. We're all going to go through some kind of wounding. We don't get to choose what that experience is, but God says, “in this world you will have trouble.” But if we will allow God to come in and heal it, he can redeem it, he can heal, he can restore. It's been about a decade now since all of that happened. So in so many ways, I think through blogging and connecting with other believers, that was part of my own healing. It was, you know, I'm writing for other people, but I'm writing for me. Then I also connected with a lot of other people who have Myasthenia Gravis. I have spoken at national meetings for Myasthenia Gravis and talked to other people because it's a hopeless, frustrating disease that steals everything you love about your life. That was an area of redemption to be able to go and share with others the hope that I've received, the comfort that I've received, like 2 Corinthians 11:11 says, continuing on in the word. God took my background as an OB -GYN doctor for 20 years. I spent about seven years in the hospital administration learning about leadership. Then I got remarried and I got board certified in lifestyle medicine. Lifestyle Medicine had personally helped me and now I have a telehealth practice and my own podcast where I talk about Lifestyle Medicine and I just see these threads that God has pulled in and woven together to say, “because of these experiences you are qualified to do something new” and I love it. God spoke to me through His word and that's His language. That's how He speaks. If you want to speak to someone who only speaks French, you have to learn French. If you want to hear from the Lord, you need to know his language and his language is his word. I think having those index cards, having some scripture memorized, having some scripture hidden in my heart as the Bible says, that showed me that your God is faithful, and you can trust him no matter what? There's no need to be bitter and vengeful and to nurse a wound and nurse unforgiveness because that will destroy you. God tells us to cast our cares on him. You have to give your burdens to the Lord. So practically walking out, not just what was in my Bible, but what was written on those index cards. And I think it’s even a step beyond that. I think that it is one thing to write it, but then we have to go beyond that. We have to rehearse it. We've got to be speaking his word out. We've got to take it from head knowledge to heart knowledge. I would really encourage your listeners, if you're not going through a hard time right now, now's the time to prepare for the battle. Because like you said, it will come. Life comes in seasons. I'm in a good season right now. I was in a good season 10 years ago before all this started, but I had that foundation of the word. I think it all comes down to trust, really. You can know the word, rehearse the word, and what that helps you do is understand the absolute faithfulness and character of God. And that's what you build your life on in the good times and the bad. And when we look at the character of God, what is so comforting to me is that he is the same yesterday, today, that he will be tomorrow. He is unchanging. We're going to make mistakes, but God is never changing. So, the same God that was faithful to divide the Red Sea is going to be the same God that's going to find a path through our wilderness season, through our full trials to get us to the other side. But to your point, are we going to trust him through it? Or are we going to be angry and vengeful and bitter? It's a choice. God tells us to rest in him. And I think, you know, he set that model for us in creation in that seventh day he rested, and I don't think that was because he was tired, or he needed rest. I think it was because he was satisfied, and I think he wants us to come to him and say you're enough Lord and he wants us to rest in him. He says, “come to me all you who are weary and heavy burdened and I'll give you rest.” For me that looks like trust like rest from your striving to fix everything and to control the script so that it goes the way you want it to go. Rest in the Lord that his plans and purposes for your life are good. God is faithful and he can always be trusted. Scripture References: Psalm 55:22 NIV “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” John 16:33 NIV “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 2 Corinthians 1:4 NIV “…who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” Recommended Resources: Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Dr. Vickie Petz Kasper: Podcast / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook / YouTube / Pinterest For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson) / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Guest: Vickie Petz Kasper, M.D. practiced ob/gyn for 20 years until she landed on the other side of the sheets. A rare neuromuscular disorder turned her life upside down. But God used a season of forced rest to show His faithfulness. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Discover how to find peace in life's most senseless moments through the transformative power of worship in this profound episode of Battle Drill Daily Devotional. #BattleDrillDevotional #BattlefieldPodcasts #FaithInEverydayLife #FindingHope #ChristianFaithWhen tragedy strikes and fairness becomes a foreign concept, learn why running to God rather than from Him changes everything.Through Psalm 73:16-17 and David's response to unimaginable loss, explore how entering God's sanctuary shifts perspective even when answers remain elusive. This devotional reveals why worship becomes a lifeline during grief, not because it provides instant explanations, but because it reconnects us to the One who holds all answers. Whether you're wrestling with job loss, bereavement, or life's cruel injustices, discover how worship anchors your soul when everything else feels like quicksand.From personal stories of 3am arguments with God to the counter-intuitive wisdom of worshipping through tears, this episode offers hope for anyone drowning in "why" questions. Learn how the psalmist's exhausting mental gymnastics transformed through one simple act: entering God's presence.Scripture References: Psalm 73:16-17, 2 Samuel 12Ready to find peace without having all the answers? Listen now and discover why worship might be your unexpected lifeline. Share this episode with someone wrestling with life's unfairness.Click the Transcript tab to read today's Battle Drill Daily Devotional.Visit battledrilldevotional.com for more devotionals. Prefer watching? Check out our video devotionals at video.battledrilldevotional.com.Thanks for listening to Battle Drill Daily Devotional, where each weekday I share short, 5-minute Christian devotionals to help you stay spiritually strong and battle-ready for life's challenges. Hosted by Salvation Army officer Rob Westwood-Payne, this podcast brings daily encouragement and biblical insights to believers of all backgrounds. If today's devotional inspired you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might need encouragement. Your support helps more people discover Battle Drill Daily Devotional, a trusted source for Salvation Army devotionals and Christian faith reflections. For more devotionals and resources, visit battledrilldevotional.com. Prefer watching? Check out our video devotionals at video.battledrilldevotional.com. Connect with me on social: Twitter/X: @Battle_Drill | Instagram: @BattleDrillDevotional | Facebook: Battle Drill Daily Devotional

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Dr. Jori discusses with her listeners King David calling out to Yahweh and declaring that in HIM had he taken refuge and also his plea that GOD would save him from his pursuers and deliver him. Scripture References: Psalm 7:1; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 5:18; Colossians 3:16; Psalm 7:1-17; John 15:1-5 Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.comFIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMS https://linktr.ee/drjorishafferCHECK OUT THE DWELL AUDIO BIBLE APP:Click this link for my unique referral code.  I use this frequently. Such a wonderful audio bible app. https://dwellapp.io/aff?ref=jorishafferBIBLE STUDY TOOLS DR. JORI USES:Note: These contain  Amazon affiliate links, meaning I get a commission, at no extra cost to you,  if you decide to make a purchase through my links.LSB Single Column Biblehttps://amzn.to/4g9C47oESV MacArthur Study Biblehttps://amzn.to/3C1cpQwInk Joy Penshttps://amzn.to/3EaZ8oRMr. Pen HighLightershttps://amzn.to/3PE20x8Mr. Pen Bible Journaling Kitshttps://lvnta.com/lv_PTrHSCogbRim4yhEDnhttps://lvnta.com/lv_mkaMOuGe6m4oHR88uqhttps://lvnta.com/lv_dgvsxOc99t663A628z  JOIN DR. JORI IN DEVOTIONAL JOURNALING IN 2025Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING?              CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S SERMON REFLECTION JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://amzn.to/418LfRshttps://amzn.to/41862EyHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com  Support the show

Daily Prayer DevotionIn this empowering episode of "Daily Warfare Prayers," Pastor Derrick Crosby inspires listeners to guard their hearts against the dangerous traps of the "lust of the flesh," "lust of the eyes," and "pride of life," as revealed in 1 John 2:15-17. Through spiritual insight and heartfelt prayer, Pastor Crosby encourages surrender to the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that true strength and fulfillment come from yielding to God's guidance. Listeners are uplifted to pursue a deeper relationship with God, overcome the dangerous traps of worldly temptations, and embrace a life of purpose, devotion, and spiritual victory.Takeaways & Scripture ReferencesIntroduction to the Three Traps (00:00:00)**  Overview of the episode's purpose and introduction to the three spiritual traps: lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life.  *Scripture Reference: 1 John 2:16*Explanation of the Lust of the Flesh (00:01:51)**  Defines "lust of the flesh," contrasts fleshly and spiritual natures, and explains their ongoing conflict.  *Scripture References: Galatians 5:16-17; Romans 8:5-8*How to Overcome the Flesh (00:03:39)**  Describes yielding to the Holy Spirit as the only way to overcome the flesh, using the escalator analogy.  *Scripture References: Galatians 5:16; Romans 8:13*Prayer for Empowerment (00:05:28)**  Leads a prayer asking for grace, wisdom, and empowerment to overcome the flesh and yield to the Holy Spirit.  *Scripture References: 2 Corinthians 12:9; James 1:5; Ephesians 3:16*Surrender and Seeking God (00:07:02)**  Concludes with surrendering desires to God, seeking His will, and affirming delight in the Lord through prayer.  Scripture References: Psalm 37:4; Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 6:33*Call To Action Subscribe To Warfare Prayer Podcast for daily inspiration, devotion and prayer. Share this episode with someone going through trails and challenges Leave a review for Warfare Prayers Podcast. Support Warfare Prayers Here Other Prayer ResourcesClick here for prayer booksClick Here to follow on YouTubeTranscriptThank you for listening to Daily Warfare Prayers, a podcast created to empower your mind, soul and spirit through daily scripture, devotion and prayer so that you can walk in victory today. Today I want to warn you to avoid three dangerous traps. These traps will kill your love for God and your desire for his will. They are traps that Satan uses every single day.The traps are found in first John 215 through 17. The Bible says this do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the father, but is of the world, and the world is passing away and the lust of it.But he who does the will of God abides forever. So the dangerous devices, according to the word of God, that you must be aware of as you go about your day and as you go about your journey, are the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.

"As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God." (Psalm 42:1). We come together to call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised! Scripture References: Psalm 42 6/22/25

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Dr. Jori discusses with her listeners Paul's reminder that God who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us up through His power!Scripture References: Psalm 107:19-22; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; Acts 9, 22, 26; Acts 18:9-11; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20; John 3:16; Romans 6; Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.comFIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMS https://linktr.ee/drjorishafferCHECK OUT THE DWELL AUDIO BIBLE APP:Click this link for my unique referral code.  I use this frequently. Such a wonderful audio bible app. https://dwellapp.io/aff?ref=jorishafferBIBLE STUDY TOOLS DR. JORI USES:Note: These contain  Amazon affiliate links, meaning I get a commission, at no extra cost to you,  if you decide to make a purchase through my links.LSB Single Column Biblehttps://amzn.to/4g9C47oESV MacArthur Study Biblehttps://amzn.to/3C1cpQwInk Joy Penshttps://amzn.to/3EaZ8oRMr. Pen HighLightershttps://amzn.to/3PE20x8Mr. Pen Bible Journaling Kitshttps://lvnta.com/lv_PTrHSCogbRim4yhEDnhttps://lvnta.com/lv_mkaMOuGe6m4oHR88uqhttps://lvnta.com/lv_dgvsxOc99t663A628z  JOIN DR. JORI IN DEVOTIONAL JOURNALING IN 2025Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING?              CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S SERMON REFLECTION JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://amzn.to/418LfRshttps://amzn.to/41862EyHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com  Support the show

Worship, Wilderness, and the Way to RighteousnessThis episode focused on biblical worship, the importance of submitting to God's authority, and the contrast between earthly and heavenly people. Drawing from stories and verses from Psalms, John, and Revelation, the message emphasized the believer's identity as part of Christ's heavenly bride. Listeners were exhorted to worship in spirit and truth, remain tenderhearted, and grow in righteousness through Christ as the Chief Shepherd. It closed with a call to thanksgiving, joy, and the enduring power of God's justice and love.Themes:Worship and submission to God as Creator (Psalm 95; John 4:23)Lessons from the wilderness and unbelief Jesus as the one who draws all to God (John 6:44; Eph. 5:25–27)Earthly vs. heavenly people: understanding true IsraelChrist as Messiah, Prophet, King—and our Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4–6)Finding joy, peace, and righteousness in Christ (Matt. 5:6; John 16:33)The power of thanksgiving and spiritual songs (Col. 3:16; Psalm 19)The dangers of a hardened heart and resisting God's callThe process of sanctification and growing in graceGod turns curses into blessings (Deut. 23:5)Scripture References: Psalm 95; John 17:14–16; John 4:23; John 6:44; John 16:33; Ephesians 5:25–27; Colossians 3:16; Revelation 21; Matthew 5:6; 1 Peter 5:4–6; Deuteronomy 23:5; John 1:1–3; Psalm 19

In a world that glorifies hustle, God invites us into something deeper—holy rhythms of rest, purpose, and peace. If you've ever felt like your to-do list is running your life or wondered why obedience feels so overwhelming, this episode is for you.In today's heartfelt conversation, Destiny shares powerful mindset shifts, biblical encouragement, and practical tools to help you manage your time with intention, stay focused on what matters most, and work in harmony, not stress. You'll learn how to align your energy with your God-given assignment and step into your calling without burning out.Scripture References:Psalm 127:2 – “God gives rest to His loved ones.”Luke 5:16 – “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “There is a time for everything...”2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you...”Proverbs 16:3 – “Commit to the Lord whatever you do…”Send us a textSupport the show

Episode Summary: This month is Mental Health Awareness Month, and I want to take some time to talk about something that is so important but often misunderstood—mental health, especially in the context of our faith. For too long, mental health struggles have been shrouded in stigma—especially in Christian circles. Maybe you’ve heard things like: “You just need to pray more.” “If you had more faith, you wouldn’t struggle.” “Christians shouldn’t be anxious or depressed.” Have you ever heard these statements? Maybe you’ve even said them yourself at some point. The problem is, these kinds of messages aren’t biblical, and they can actually do more harm than good. So today, we’re going to break the stigma surrounding mental health in the church. We’ll talk about: What the Bible really says about mental health Why struggling with mental health doesn’t mean you lack faith How we as believers can better support those who are hurting I pray that today’s episode will encourage you and help bring light to a topic that desperately needs to be discussed. Quotables from the episode: Some people believe that if we’re struggling emotionally, we must be failing spiritually. But that’s just not true. The Bible is full of stories of faithful men and women who wrestled with deep emotional pain: David, a man after God’s own heart, poured out his despair in the Psalms. He wrote in Psalm 42:5 (NIV), "Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Elijah, a mighty prophet, was so overwhelmed with despair that he asked God to take his life (1 Kings 19:4). Job, a righteous man, suffered so much that he wished he had never been born (Job 3:11). Even Jesus Himself experienced deep sorrow. Isaiah 53:3 calls Him "a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief." The presence of mental and emotional struggles does not mean we lack faith. It means we are human. God doesn’t dismiss our struggles—He meets us in them. Psalm 34:18 says, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." If you’re struggling today, I want you to hear this: God sees you. He cares. And He does not condemn you for your pain. Can God heal? Absolutely.Does God answer prayer? Without a doubt.But does struggling with mental health mean you’re failing as a Christian? Not at all. Think about physical health. If someone has diabetes, do we tell them, “Just pray more, and your blood sugar will be fine”? Of course not! We encourage them to seek medical treatment, eat well, and take care of their body—all while trusting God for healing. The same applies to mental health. Anxiety, depression, and other struggles are not signs of spiritual weakness. They are real, complex conditions that can be caused by many factors—biology, trauma, stress, spiritual warfare, and more. Seeking help—whether through counseling, medication, or other means—doesn’t mean you lack faith. It means you are taking wise steps toward healing. James 1:5 tells us, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." Wisdom includes knowing when we need help—and being humble enough to receive it. If you’re struggling, please know this: Your pain does not disqualify your faith. Your struggles do not define you. God is not disappointed in you—He is with you in the struggle. So, how can we, as the body of Christ, do better in supporting those who are struggling with mental health? 1. Stop the Stigma Let’s be careful with our words. Let’s stop shaming people for their struggles. Often, people can figure out what to DO for someone, but they often stumble over what to SAY. In my private practice, and through my own personal struggles, I’ve found this to be a huge stumbling block. There are definitely things NOT to say: “It’s all in your head.” “Snap out of it.” “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.”(All of these things convey a lack of sensitivity to the pain they are experiencing. You’d never say these things to someone who has cancer, and depression is just as much a medical diagnosis.) “This too shall pass.”(That is true, but it doesn’t make someone struggling with depression feel any better. Even a tornado passes, but it leaves damage and devastation in its wake.) “What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.”(First of all, many with depression consider suicide, so it’s never a good idea to joke about dying. Secondly, most with depression don’t care about getting stronger, they just want to survive.) “Others are worse off than you.”(Isn’t this true for everyone? But saying that doesn’t even acknowledge the pain the person with depression is in. And why is their pain any less valid?) “I know how you feel.”(If you’ve never struggled with depression, you don’t know how they feel. Even if you have experienced depression, the situation and symptoms and complicating factors may be entirely different. It’s better not to even try to compare.) Helpful things TO say: “I love you.”The person with depression often can’t love themselves much less believe that others love them. They need to hear this now more than ever, even if they don’t believe it. “I’m here for you.”Someone struggling with depression feels so alone. They need to know that others care enough to be present with them in their pain, rather than trying to fix it. “You are important to me.”When struggling with depression, self-esteem is often at risk. They feel all alone and need the assurance that their standing in your eyes and your life doesn’t change just because of the depression. “I’m sorry you’re hurting.”While I do not recommend saying you know how someone feels, I do suggest you offer kindness, compassion, and concern for their pain. “Is there something I can do for you?”Often, our actions speak louder than words. When you offer to help, you enter into their pain. They may not know how you can help, but by asking the question, you open up the opportunity for dialogue. “You may not believe this now, but you won’t always feel this way.”When one is struggling with depression, the whole world looks black, and the future seems to offer only more of the same. It can be helpful to encourage them that this is a season, and they won’t always be in this place. “What might help you feel better?”This can help them start to think pro-actively about things that help, and can clue you in on how you can support them. For example, if they mention that they always feel better after a walk, offer to walk with them. “What might be making your depression worse?”This can help them step back and take a look at things they need to change (e.g. sleeping too late in the morning may leave them feeling lethargic and sluggish all day, so setting an alarm to get up earlier might combat that), and can also help you better know how to support and pray for them. “We will get through this together.”Depression can leave one feeling incredibly lonely, isolated, and as if no one cares or understands. This simple statement conveys support. You aren’t trying to change them or solve the problem, just be present.Remember, someone else’s experience with depression isn’t your fault and you can’t “fix it” for them-only God can do that. But you can support. Say nothing.Words get us into trouble so often, when really, just being present often conveys much greater support than having the perfect thing to say or advice to try to make things better. 2. Encourage Professional Help God has gifted counselors, therapists, and doctors with wisdom to help. Seeking help is not a lack of faith—it’s an act of wisdom. 3. Offer Practical Support Mental health struggles can be isolating. A simple text, meal, or kind word can mean the world to someone who’s struggling. While we can be prone to feel helpless to help someone with depression, particularly if we have never experienced it ourselves, there are some practical things we can do to help: Enter into their experience with them and be present. Offer to make a doctor’s appointment for them, and offer to go with them. Make plans with them. Even if they decline, keep offering. Ask how you can pray for them, and pray with them. Remain encouraging and positive. Meet tangible needs (i.e. car pool, pick up grocery items, run errands). Be willing to just sit and be with them. Convey there is hope. Pray With and For Them Prayer is powerful. Instead of saying “Just pray more,” Pray with and for them. But let’s not use it as a substitutefor real support. Let’s walk alongside those who are hurting. Galatians 6:2 says, "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Let’s be a community that lifts each other up, rather than tearing each other down. Friend, if you are struggling today, I want you to know: You are not alone. Your mental health matters. Your pain does not define you. And God has not abandoned you. If you need help, please don’t suffer in silence. Reach out to a trusted friend, pastor, counselor, or doctor. You are worthy of support and healing. And if you know someone who is struggling, I encourage you to be the hands and feet of Jesus to them. Let’s break the stigma. Let’s create a church culture where it’s okay to not be okay—because that’s where healing begins. Scripture References: Psalm 42:5 (NIV), "Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 34:18 says, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." James 1:5 tells us, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." Galatians 6:2 says, "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Recommended Resources: Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue Social Media Links for Host: For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson) / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Some of us will get long-term illnesses and others will not, but we will all face illness and suffering of some sort. It is helpful to remember that though God allows our fallen world to continue, He is not the author of anything evil. Rather, He is the Author of everything good. We can trust that He will carry us through all our earthly days. - Vivian Bricker In today’s episode of Your Daily Prayer, Vivian Bricker offers an honest and heartfelt reflection on walking with God through the ongoing struggles of long-term illness. Sharing from her personal journey with Crohn’s disease and other health challenges, Vivian reminds us that even in suffering, God’s presence is a source of daily strength, hope, and healing. Topics covered: Chronic illness and daily faith Finding God’s strength in weakness Recognizing unexpected blessings Living with hope in suffering God’s comfort for the sick Scripture References Psalm 41:3 “The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.”

As you walk in the ways of the Lord, be steadfast in the pursuit of His Word. It will lead and guide you to a deeper understanding of your Father’s heart and give you a glimpse into all He desires for your life. - Chelsey DeMatteis In today’s episode of Your Daily Prayer, Chelsey DeMatteis shares a heartfelt reflection on the power of repentance and the comfort found in God's Word—especially through the Psalms. Drawing from Psalm 91 and Psalm 119, she encourages us to seek God as our refuge, bring our whole selves before Him, and embrace His forgiveness and grace. Topics covered: Why the Psalms are vital for spiritual growth How God’s Word leads us to repentance Trusting God as our refuge and fortress The transforming power of Scripture Encouragement to boldly share God’s truth with others Scripture References Psalm 91:1–2 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’”

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners Peter's encouragement that after the believers suffered a little while, then the GOD of all grace, who had called them would restore, strengthen, confirm and ground them.Scripture References:Psalm 119:11; 1 Peter 5:10; Acts 1:8; Mark 4:18-22; 1 Peter 1:1-2; 1 Peter 1:3-9; 1 Peter 5:1-15; 2 Corinthians 12:9 Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.comFIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMS https://linktr.ee/drjorishafferCHECK OUT THE DWELL AUDIO BIBLE APP:Click this link for my unique referral code.  I use this frequently. Such a wonderful audio bible app. https://dwellapp.io/aff?ref=jorishafferBIBLE STUDY TOOLS DR. JORI USES:Note: These contain  Amazon affiliate links, meaning I get a commission, at no extra cost to you,  if you decide to make a purchase through my links.LSB Single Column Biblehttps://amzn.to/4g9C47oESV MacArthur Study Biblehttps://amzn.to/3C1cpQwInk Joy Penshttps://amzn.to/3EaZ8oRMr. Pen HighLightershttps://amzn.to/3PE20x8Mr. Pen Bible Journaling Kithttps://amzn.to/40pib6o  JOIN DR. JORI IN DEVOTIONAL JOURNALING IN 2025Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING?              CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S SERMON REFLECTION JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://amzn.to/418LfRshttps://amzn.to/41862EyHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com Support the show

Episode Summary: In this episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective, we continue our Sacred Scar Story Series, where we talk with individuals who have experienced deep pain, but have also seen God bring healing and redemption. My guest, Phylis Mantelli, shares her journey of growing up with a narcissistic, alcoholic mother in a chaotic and abusive environment—facing stress, shame, and secrets from an early age. Despite a childhood marked by dysfunction, trauma, and loss, Phyllis eventually chose to pursue healing and break the cycle of generational pain in her own family. Through honest reflection, deep faith, and intentional work, she now helps other women confront their own “mother wounds” and embrace the truth that God can transform even our most painful stories into something sacred. You’ll be encouraged by her transparency, wisdom, and hope-filled perspective. Quotables from the episode: Some of your hardest stories become the very thing that you are able to help others through if you can find healing for yourself. I was raised by a dysfunctional, alcoholic, narcissistic mom and everyday was living on the edge of stress, and shame, and secrets. My mom kidnapped us, my dad came home to an empty house with no family. It took him three and a half months to find us. At eight years old, we moved in with my mother’s boyfriend, my sister’s father, and started a whole new life. Imagine being plucked out of your childhood and everything you’ve known and you’re just supposed to start a new school the next day like nothing is going on. My mom had violence in her relationships our entire lives, so we witnessed violence growing up—we were physically and verbally abused. Growing up, being told to be strong and not tell anyone about it, I didn’t realize it until many years later that I’m actually a very highly sensitive person but because I was taught to be tough, I became a really strong coverer of all kinds of wounds. So I had a lot of rage but I didn’t even realize that’s what it was. With secrets, you think that you’re the only person going through things. There was so much shame attached to that that I never shared my story with anyone. After 61 years, I was finally able to grieve my story. And I realized that I’m not alone and there are many other women who have gone through similar things and I want to learn how to help them. Through trial and error, and being able to say the words, “I’m sorry” and “tell me more,” I was able to deep conversations with my daughters and break off that generational dysfunction. It takes work, and that’s the kind of thing I love to do in my ministry, by helping other women get to that place. I became a Christian at 35, and I realized that my life is worthy. I am loved because I am a child of God and He has always had his hand on me. I felt God through all the trials in my life and even in the things I did wrong. I didn’t love myself…I wanted someone to love me, and now I know that God does. I needed to say “no more” for looking for outside sources to love me. I had to love myself and I spent a lot of time on the floor crying out to God. It’s not about the stuff you do. It’s about the heart of where you are. God hears you and loves you. You don’t have to do X, Y, Z to earn his love. You have to look back over your history and realize someone has been carrying you even through all the muck, and that means they love you. Shame sounds like, “If they find out your secrets, they are never going to like you and they are going to fun from you.” When you hold onto secrets, it’s like a little gift inside your body that is so tight that it’s ready to explode, and that’s a gift Satan wants you to not open up because he knows that once you open it up and let it out, no matter what, it holds no power over you anymore. Tell your story to safe people. Secrets have to come out. You cannot get to a place of peace until healing takes place in your body. Satan likes to tell us all the things we aren’t, but God loves to tell us all the things we are. Nothing will separate us from his love. If you really want to heal, you have to start doing things differently. You can’t keep doing things the same way and expect a different result—it’s likely not going to happen. We have to choose to pursue our healing. God isn’t going to force it on us. Every family is different so don’t do the comparison thing and think “I want to be like that family over there.” Do what works for you. Where you are and what works for your family and brings your family peace and comfort may not look like others. God is giving you God-kisses in the most gentle of ways and we have to open our eyes to see it even in the midst of great struggle. Scripture References: Psalm 91:11 “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” Recommended Resources: Unmothered: Life With a Mom Who Couldn’t Love Me by Phylis Mantelli Dysfunctional Mother Daughter Relationships: Hope for Breaking the Cycle—Episode 108 Healing Dysfunctional Relationships Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Phylis Mantelli: Podcast / Website / Instagram / YouTube / Facebook For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson) / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Guest: Phylis Mantelli is the author of the book “Unmothered” Life with a Mom Who Couldn’t Love Me. She is an inspirational speaker at churches, retreats, conventions, Celebrate Recovery groups, and rotary groups. She is the host of the Unmothered Podcast. She is currently writing her 2nd book on lessons of how to break generational dysfunction. She loves helping and coaching women reach their full God-given potential despite their trauma-filled past. www.phylismantelli.com Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode Summary: In this episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective, we are continuing the Sacred Scar Story Series during which I’ve had the blessing to interview many people who have experienced some very painful wounds, but then saw God heal and do a redemptive work and bring about beautiful sacred scars. Maureen Miller shares about her devastatingly painful wound when she had dreamed of becoming a mother since early childhood only to have doctors report that short of the miraculous, she would be unable to conceive. She shares how she coped with her pain and her grief, and how God ultimately fulfilled her dream of motherhood through adoption. Quotables from the episode: Everyone has a story about something that has wounded them and caused pain. My scars have been more emotional scars having to do with the loss of a dream since I was a little girl, of being mom and so looking forward to having children and being able to do all the things that moms love to do with their kids. I married my high school sweetheart and not long after that we realized we were going to have difficulty conceiving. It was painful to hear a doctor say that short of the miraculous, you will never have children biologically. Those words felt like the death of a dream and cut very deeply. Having been raised in a Christian home, and having a good grounding in biblical truth and God’s promises, it wasn’t long before I really began seeking the Lord and asking him how he might use this pain for something good and bring something beautiful out of my broken body. I mourned and I grieved the death of that childhood dream that I had held onto so tightly. There was a season when I shook my fist at God, but it wasn’t a long season. As I began to delight myself in the Lord, and be real with him, and at times even shake my fist, he can not only handle all my doubts and fears and anger, but he can even pry open my hands that were clenching that dream. He began to show me that as I prayed with my hands up and open, he could either take that dream away and replace it with something better, or he could grant me that dream in some miraculous way. As I meditated on the scripture and began to delight in the Lord, it didn’t mean that God would always answer our prayers in the way we wanted them answered, but he would actually fill our hearts with the dreams he had for us first and those would become our dream. As I mourned then sought the Lord and delighted in Him first, He began to show me that it was his dream for me to be a mom—it just didn’t look like I thought it would. We have the choice when we are wounded to either turn toward God and seek him or turn away and walk in the other direction. There was shame because I had to really remind myself that my identity as a woman was not wrapped up in me being a life-giver. My identity came in Christ and who he created me to be. The Lord confirmed for me that I was “blessed in my barrenness.” Our pain became a catalyst for me to offer sympathy, comfort, and help for those he places in our paths. I realized I had the ability to minister to birth mothers who chose life for their children, carry them for 9 months, and then give others the greatest gift of life they could ever give. When God impressed upon me that I was “blessed in my barrenness,” I realized my condition wasn’t a mistake and that God had given me a heart to sympathize and empathize with those who are hurting. Over time we were able to adopt three children, but we also experienced the pain of two failed adoptions that have their own sacred scars and round out our story. It’s a beautiful thing when we’re able to hold up our dream and offer it to God and say “Take this dream if it’s not yours, and you have something better, or if it is your dream, confirm it so I can walk it out in faith and joy knowing it’s according to your will.” Delight yourself in the Lord. Spend time with Him in His Word. Spend time with God in prayer. Surround yourself with Christian brothers and sisters who can really speak into your life and confirm the truth. Know your identity in Christ and surround yourself with people who will remind you of that. Trust that according to Romans 8:28, God will work all things together for good for those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose. Journal so you can go back and look at the “stones of remembrance” and you can remember how God answered prayers. Once I surrender my will and my way, God has the freedom to work His perfect will, in His perfect way, and in His perfect timing. Scripture References: Psalm 37:4-6 NIV “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” Romans 8:28 NIV “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Recommended Resources: Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Maureen Miller: Website / Facebook For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson) / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Guest: Maureen Miller has been married to her childhood sweetheart Bill for 35 years. Together they have three born-in-their-hearts children and three grand-girls and share life on Selah Farm, a hobby homestead in western NC. She writes for Guideposts, her local newspaper, and several online devotion sites, and her debut novel, Gideon’s Book, is due to release later this year. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Hey, Mama, you've heard you need to process emotions, but what does it mean? In this episode, Natalie shares how to process those big emotions with God's help, so you can find peace and joy in the chaos of motherhood. Through personal stories, biblical encouragement, and practical steps, Natalie guides you to notice, name, and work through your emotions. Plus, learn how to start today with her free Trigger Tracker!Key Points:What is Processing Emotions? Processing emotions means noticing, naming, and working through feelings like anger, guilt, shame, and overwhelm with God's guidance, rather than suppressing or exploding.Why It Matters: Emotions are God-given, and even Jesus felt anger and sorrow. Processing them helps you break free from destructive cycles and find joy in motherhood.Three Practical Steps:Notice and Name the Emotion: Pause when triggered and identify what you're feeling (e.g., anger, shame). Use the Trigger Tracker to pinpoint what sparked it.Bring It to God: Pray honestly or journal about your emotions, offering them to God. He can handle your mess!Reframe and Respond: Ask God for truth, then take one small action—like apologizing, taking a break, or reaching out to a friend.Overcoming Barriers: God's grace covers guilt and shame (2 Corinthians 12:9). Start small to combat overwhelm, and break isolation by connecting with others.The Goal: Less yelling, more laughter, and a lighter heart as you process emotions with God.Scripture References:Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”James 1:19-20: “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”Lamentations 3:22-23: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.”Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Tools & Links: Help! I'm Angry Now: Calm Mom Anger in the MomentGrab Natalie's FREE Trigger Tracker!Questions, thoughts, feedback? Send me a text!Connect with Natalie: Natalie's Website: nataliehixson.comInstagram: instagram.com/angrymamacoachPinterest: pinterest.com/nataliehixsonYouTube: @angrymamacoachAcknowledgements: Producer and editor: Skye Hixson Music: Simon Reid www.simonreidmusic.com

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners Jesus's explanation of the parable of the sower and especially about what He meant by seed sown in good soil. Scripture References: Psalm 119:105; Ephesians 5:15-17; Mark 4:20; John 21:25; Acts 12:12-17; Acts 15:36-41; Luke 22:54-62; Mark 1:1-3; Mark 4:1-20; Isaiah 55:11; John 15:2-6 Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.comFIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMS https://linktr.ee/drjorishafferCHECK OUT THE DWELL AUDIO BIBLE APP:Click this link for my unique referral code.  I use this frequently. Such a wonderful audio bible app. https://dwellapp.io/aff?ref=jorishafferBIBLE STUDY TOOLS DR. JORI USES:Note: These contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links.LSB Single Column Biblehttps://amzn.to/4g9C47oESV MacArthur Study Biblehttps://amzn.to/3C1cpQwInk Joy Penshttps://amzn.to/3EaZ8oRMr. Pen HighLightershttps://amzn.to/3PE20x8Mr. Pen Bible Journaling Kithttps://amzn.to/40pib6o  JOIN DR. JORI IN DEVOTIONAL JOURNALING IN 2025Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING?              CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S SERMON REFLECTION JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://amzn.to/418LfRshttps://amzn.to/41862EyHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com Support the show

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners David's declaration that in peace, he would lie down and sleep because Yahweh made him to abide in safety.Scripture References: Psalm 4:8; Romans 8:26-27; Psalm 4:1-8; Galatians 5:22-24; Psalm 46:10; Psalm 23; Matthew 6:25-34; Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 26:3; 2 Corinthians 5:7 Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.comFIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMS https://linktr.ee/drjorishafferCHECK OUT THE DWELL AUDIO BIBLE APP:Click this link for my unique referral code.  I use this frequently. Such a wonderful audio bible app. https://dwellapp.io/aff?ref=jorishafferBIBLE STUDY TOOLS DR. JORI USES:Note: These contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links.LSB Single Column Biblehttps://amzn.to/4g9C47oESV MacArthur Study Biblehttps://amzn.to/3C1cpQwInk Joy Penshttps://amzn.to/3EaZ8oRMr. Pen HighLightershttps://amzn.to/3PE20x8Mr. Pen Bible Journaling Kithttps://amzn.to/40pib6o  JOIN DR. JORI IN DEVOTIONAL JOURNALING IN 2025Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING?              CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S SERMON REFLECTION JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://amzn.to/418LfRshttps://amzn.to/41862EyHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com Support the show

It's the start of a new quarter—and while the market might be shaky, your direction doesn't have to be. In this week's episode of Unapologetically Unstoppable, Jeanette invites you to pause the hustle and lean into heaven's strategy for your business. Through Spirit-led insight, she reminds us that confusion isn't your calling—and alignment is your anointing. This isn't about formulas or funnels; it's about faithful obedience and hearing the Father's voice clearly for this next season.

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners Paul's reminder to the Galatians that they were no longer slaves, but now sons of God and if sons then heirs. Scripture References: Psalm 119:160; John 17:17; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Galatians 4:7; Galatians 1:1-3; Acts 13-14; Galatians 1:6-10; John 14:6; Genesis 12:3; Romans 10:4; John 3:16; Galatians 3:28-4:7; Romans 5:8; Romans 8:1-5; Romans 8:31-39 Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.comFIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMS https://linktr.ee/drjorishafferCHECK OUT THE DWELL AUDIO BIBLE APP:Click this link for my unique referral code.  I use this frequently. Such a wonderful audio bible app. https://dwellapp.io/aff?ref=jorishafferBIBLE STUDY TOOLS DR. JORI USES:Note: These contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links.LSB Single Column Biblehttps://amzn.to/4g9C47oESV MacArthur Study Biblehttps://amzn.to/3C1cpQwInk Joy Penshttps://amzn.to/3EaZ8oRMr. Pen HighLightershttps://amzn.to/3PE20x8Mr. Pen Bible Journaling Kithttps://amzn.to/40pib6o  JOIN DR. JORI IN DEVOTIONAL JOURNALING IN 2025Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING?              CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S SERMON REFLECTION JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://amzn.to/418LfRshttps://amzn.to/41862EyHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com Support the show

God is faithful—through every valley, every trial, every season.  This Communion Sunday, Pastor Alex reminded us that God's love never fails, His Word never changes, and His presence never leaves. The Lord is our Shepherd, and when we follow Him, we lack nothing.   “Great is Your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:23 Will you trust Him, follow His voice, and take the step of faith? The table is prepared—let's walk in His goodness together.   Scripture References: Psalm 100:5 Lamentations 3:22-23 Isaiah 54:10 2 Timothy 2:13 Numbers 23:19 Jeremiah 1:12 Psalm 119:89 Psalm 138:2 Revelation 19 Psalm 23:1-6 John 10:11 Philippians 4:19 Matthew 11:28 Jeremiah 31:25 Isaiah 58:11 2 Corinthians 4:16 Isaiah 41:10 Deuteronomy 31:6 Romans 8:31 Psalm 92:10   Welcome to Oceans Unite - a place for God's presence. Get Connected:  Visit our Linktree

Episode Summary: Mothers of children with special needs experience a wide range of emotions: fear, disappointment, guilt, grief, despair. They have a yearning for relief but often feel isolated and inadequate as they look at the parenting experience of others. As you pour your energy and resources into raising a special needs child, it’s easy to struggle with feelings of isolation, competition, and overwhelm. For the special needs mom who yearns for community and support on what can be a lonely road, my guest, Carrie Holt, wants to remind you that you are not alone, your best IS good enough, and even on the hard days, there are blessings to be had. In honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we’re sharing how to find hope and flourish when parenting a special needs child. Quotables from the episode: I have seen how families lose hope, feel strung out, and all alone living this life of being in and out of the hospital. From the time my son was around 20 months of age, I began volunteering at our local children’s hospital and have been passionate about encouraging others ever since. I was joyfully expecting our third child when at a 20 week ultrasound, our doctor told us something was wrong with the baby. We learned he had Myelomeningocele (Spina Bifida) and Hydrocephalus and would require two life-saving surgeries the first day of his life, with one following a few days later. I read a lot about his condition, grieved, and then planned – trying to control everything. It wasn’t until the last few years, that I have truly grieved that, and have been learning to live in the tension of lament. My son ended up being admitted for 64 days, 30 of those in the PICU. He came home with a trach, ventilator, and g-tube with 16 hours a day/7 days a week of home nursing care. He’s been in and out of the hospital repeatedly and to date has had 64 surgeries. The life of parenting a special needs child is continual, so we are all learning to live in the tension of our kids not being healed and how God is with us in all of this. I’m learning that it’s okay to feel disappointed, to lament that to God, and grieve the hard moments of realizing that my son isn’t going to be like other kids. I’m also trying to help him navigate life’s hard questions: “Why did God allow this? Why didn’t he heal me?” His complex emotions, doubts, and anger over being in a wheelchair has been really hard for us. Do not be afraid of grief. Sometimes we feel like it’s going to drown us, but it’s so important to take our messy emotions to God. It’s okay to take our messy emotions to God – even anger, doubt, and fear, but it’s actually essential to our relationship with God and how He meets us there. Emotions aren’t something we get over, they continually come up again and again, but we’ve learned some strategies to deal with them. Gratefulness, getting quiet, and lament are just a few. I think for me personally, it is learning to take this one day at a time, crying out in the pain when it’s there, and then also remembering that God is in control. It’s also just looking for the little gifts of hope and joy that he gives us on a daily basis. Probably the biggest thing has just been his presence and knowing him in a way that I had not known him if I wasn’t in this. As difficult as pain and suffering is, God has showed me his character and his presence and sometimes it's just that perspective shift of Lord show me you, instead of my eyes being on my pain and my suffering, show me how you've prepared me for this, show me your character, show me your glory, show me your comfort. Jesus wants to be present in your pain. Scripture References: Psalm 40:1-3 ESV I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD. Lamentations 3:21-26, ESV But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. Recommended Resources: The Other Side of Special, Navigating the Messy, Emotional, Joy-Filled Life of a Special Needs Mom by Amy J. Brown, Sara Clime, and Carrie M. Holt Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Carrie Holt: Website / Carrie Instagram / Special Moms Instagram / Carrie Facebook / Podcast & Book For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson) / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Guest: Carrie M. Holt is the co-host of the Take Heart Special Moms Podcast, an author and speaker whose passion is to encourage women to flourish in the unexpected. Through her testimony of raising and homeschooling four children, including her son, with medical, mental, and physical disabilities, her desire is for women and mothers to experience the hope we have in trials through the steadfast love of Christ. Her recent book, "The Other Side of Special: Navigating the Messy, Emotional, Joy-Filled Life of a Special Needs Mom," was released May 9th through Revell Publishing. She spent twelve years speaking and advocating through volunteer groups such as Family as Faculty and the Family Advisory Council at Nationwide Children's Hospital, a press conference in Washington D.C., several hospital fundraisers, and an event featuring former Ohio Governor John Kasich. She has also been a guest on various radio shows, including KNEO Author's Corner, Family Life Radio, and Moody Radio, and has spoken for women's events in churches, conferences, and smaller homeschool groups. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You! In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners King Solomon's reminder that there is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every mattery under heaven. Scripture References:Psalm 119:160; John 17:17; Ecclesiastes 1:1-2; 1 Kings 3:5-15; 1 Kings 4:29-34; 1 Kings 11:1-13; 1 Timothy 3:16-17; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Romans 3:23; Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; Psalm 23; 2 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Isaiah 55:6-7; Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 6:33; James 4:8; Hebrews 3:13  Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.comFIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMS https://linktr.ee/drjorishafferCHECK OUT THE DWELL AUDIO BIBLE APP:Click this link for my unique referral code.  I use this frequently. Such a wonderful audio bible app. https://dwellapp.io/aff?ref=jorishafferBIBLE STUDY TOOLS DR. JORI USES:Note: These contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links.LSB Single Column Biblehttps://amzn.to/4g9C47oESV MacArthur Study Biblehttps://amzn.to/3C1cpQwInk Joy Penshttps://amzn.to/3EaZ8oRMr. Pen HighLightershttps://amzn.to/3PE20x8Mr. Pen Bible Journaling Kithttps://amzn.to/40pib6o  JOIN DR. JORI IN DEVOTIONAL JOURNALING IN 2025Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING?              CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S SERMON REFLECTION JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://amzn.to/418LfRshttps://amzn.to/41862EyHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com Support the show

God's plan is not to restrict you but to protect you. In this powerful message we dive into how building a life with Jesus as the foundation leads to a future full of hope, security, and eternal value.

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners Paul's reminder to the believers at Colosse that in Christ, all the fullness of Deity dwells bodily. Scripture References: Psalm 119:11; Luke 6:45; Colossians 2:9; Colossians 1:2; Colossians 2:1; Acts 9, 22, 26; Colossians 1:9-14; John 10:30-38; Colossians 1:15-20; Colossians 1:24- 2:9; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 1:1-3; John 1:14; John 14:6; Philippians 2:5-9  Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.comFIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMS https://linktr.ee/drjorishafferCHECK OUT THE DWELL AUDIO BIBLE APP:Click this link for my unique referral code.  I use this frequently. Such a wonderful audio bible app. https://dwellapp.io/aff?ref=jorishafferBIBLE STUDY TOOLS DR. JORI USES:Note: These contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links.LSB Single Column Biblehttps://amzn.to/4g9C47oESV MacArthur Study Biblehttps://amzn.to/3C1cpQwInk Joy Penshttps://amzn.to/3EaZ8oRMr. Pen HighLightershttps://amzn.to/3PE20x8Mr. Pen Bible Journaling Kithttps://amzn.to/40pib6o  JOIN DR. JORI IN DEVOTIONAL JOURNALING IN 2025Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING?              CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S SERMON REFLECTION JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://a.co/d/9B5krQlhttps://a.co/d/iycFlnNHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com  Support the show

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners Peter's reminder to be all the more diligent to make one's calling and choosing sure; for in doing these things, one will never stumble. FIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMShttps://linktr.ee/drjorishafferCHECK OUT THE DWELL AUDIO BIBLE APP:Click this link for my unique referral code.  I use this frequently. Such a wonderful audio bible app. https://dwellapp.io/aff?ref=jorishafferJOIN DR. JORI IN DEVOTIONAL JOURNALING IN 2025Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals. Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive  LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING?              CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S SERMON REFLECTION JOURNALS!Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://a.co/d/9B5krQlhttps://a.co/d/iycFlnNHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com  Scripture References:Psalm 119:112 Peter 1:10John 1:14Hebrews 12:22 Timothy 3:16-172 Peter 1:3Matthew 14:22-31Matthew 17:1-8Luke 22:31-341 Peter 1:12 Peter 1:1-111 Peter 5:81 John 4:82 Corinthians 5:27Luke 9:23Galatians 5:22-25   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com Support the show

 Welcome to the first check-in for 2025! How are you doing eight days into the year? In this episode, we'll dive into small beginnings that make a big difference. We'll explore: 1️⃣ Celebrating those around you and the joy of being present. (Plus, the story behind making my man's birthday extra special with a homemade German chocolate cake!) 2️⃣ How creativity is waiting for your embrace. Hear how God awakened new dreams in me this week—like writing children's books with my grandkids and planning a new course to refresh our souls through creative prayer practices. 3️⃣ The power of praying God's promises, including Psalm 127:1, and how it applies to building our homes and hearts. 4️⃣ Daily habits that create fertile soil for intentional living, like drinking water, walking 10,000 steps, and letting small, faithful actions carry over into every part of your life. Join me as we reflect on Psalm 27:13-14 and anchor our hearts in God's goodness and courage for the year ahead. Let's embrace creativity, prayer, and intentional living to step into all that God has for us in 2025. Scripture References: Psalm 27:13-14 (TPT): “Don't give up; don't be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord…” Psalm 127:1: “Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted.” Let's grow together, one small beginning at a time.

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners John's exhortation to some of those dear to him to see to it that they did not lose what had been accomplished, but that they may receive a full reward and what that meant. FIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMShttps://linktr.ee/drjorishaffer JOIN DR. JORI IN DEVOTIONAL JOURNALING IN 2025Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING?              CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S SERMON REFLECTION JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://a.co/d/9B5krQlhttps://a.co/d/iycFlnNHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com  Scripture References:Psalm 119:160Hebrews 4:122 John 1:8Mark 1:19-21Matthew 10:1-4John 20:30-311 John 5:132 John 1:1-13John 14:6John 17:17John 3:16Matthew 22:36-401 John 4:7-8Romans 7Genesis 15:6Genesis 6:8Matthew 5:17Hebrews 2:1   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com Support the show

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners the call of the prophet Jeremiah's and GOD's reminder to him that before GOD formed Jeremiah, HE knew him and it is the same for each one of us, friends. FIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMShttps://linktr.ee/drjorishafferJOIN DR. JORI IN DEVOTIONAL JOURNALING Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING?CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S  SERMON  REFLECTION JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://a.co/d/9B5krQlhttps://a.co/d/iycFlnNHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com  Scripture References:Psalm 119:11Psalm 119:73John 14:23Ephesians 5:15-17Jeremiah 1:5Jeremiah 1:1-5Jeremiah 1:6-8Psalm 139:13-16Ephesians 2:4-10Isiah 55:8-9Genesis 1:1-3Luke 12:7Genesis 1:27   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com Support the show

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners Paul's prayer of praise to the God of all comfort who comforts us in our affliction so that we may comfort others in their afflictions with the same comfort we have been given. FIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMShttps://linktr.ee/drjorishafferJOIN DR. JORI IN JOURNALING Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://a.co/d/9B5krQlhttps://a.co/d/iycFlnNHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com  Scripture References:Psalm 119:11Psalm 119:732 Corinthians 1:42 Corinthians 1:1-2Acts 9, 22, 261 Timothy 1:12-14Acts 18Romans 10:42 Corinthians 1:1-11James 1:2-42 Corinthians 4:7-11   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com Support the show

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners the Psalmist's reminder that one is blessed whose delight is in the law of Yahweh and that person will meditate on His law day and night. JOIN DR. JORI IN JOURNALING Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://a.co/d/9B5krQlhttps://a.co/d/iycFlnNHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com  Scripture References:Psalm 1:22 Timothy 3:16-17Ephesians 2:8Hebrews 11:6Hebrews 4:121 Corinthians 3:19John 14-15Psalm 119:9-16Psalm 119:33-38   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com Support the show

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners Jesus's response to the religious leader who asked Him what was the foremost commandment. JOIN DR. JORI IN JOURNALING IN 2024! Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://a.co/d/9B5krQlhttps://a.co/d/iycFlnNHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com  DR. JORI mentioned the conferences by Answers in Genesis.  The link below will take you to the website showing their schedule and upcoming conferences. https://answersingenesis.org/outreach/ Scripture References:Psalm 107:19-22John 1:1-2Mark 12:29Luke 9:23Acts 12:12Acts 15:36-411 Peter 5:13Luke 12:26-34Deuteronomy 5:32-6:7Genesis 1:1-4   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com Support the show

Episode Summary:  Continuing in our “Sacred Scar Story Series,” in this episode I chatted with Veronica Sites, who shared about the pain and wounds she endured that culminated in her believing the lies that she would be better off dead. She attempted to eliminate her life, but God had other plans. Now she shares the sacred scar that God is using to educate the church and leaders about how to respond in such a mental health crisis. Quotables from the episode: If you have ever experienced depression or anxiety, or suffered the loss of a friend or loved one to death by suicide, then today is the perfect show for you. My guest today, Veronica Sites, is a first response crisis chaplain. She grew up in a family of first responders. And sadly, she lost a family member to death by suicide. This experience caused a shift in how she responded in such situations. But she also experienced some tragic life experiences which brought her to the point that she began to believe some lies that took her down the path to attempting to end her own life by suicide. When she woke up, she told a friend, “The Lord is going to use this for His glory. You just watch.” And that is what has happened, as she now serves as a first response crisis chaplain, and she tries to educate about suicide prevention. I no longer believe that my previous suicide attempt is my identity. I am first and foremost a child of God. My painful wounds that led to my desperation also made me forgiving and more merciful. Healing my wounds has caused me to have greater compassion and empathy for others who suffer. The enemy is relentless to get us to take his bait. Once I regained consciousness, I became angry that I believed the enemy's lies. Victory is in the vulnerability with the Victor. The most unhealed wounds are usually the invisible ones. God can be trusted with our vulnerability. Our painful wounds can be both destructive and productive. We get to choose what result they will have by how we respond to our hurts. Can we listen to others as if there is something to learn? Scripture References: Psalm 34:18  “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Proverbs 17:17 says “A brother is born for a time of adversity.”  Proverbs 27:17 “Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds of each other”.   Recommended Resources:  Local Suicide Prevention Hotline: dial 988 TALK Suicide Hotline (800) 273-8255 Suicide Text Line: 741-741  https://www.crisistextline.org/textline Hope Line Suicide Prevention Network (800) 784-2433 Elijah App –helps people struggling to reach their support system with one text Hope When You Have Thoughts of Suicide - Episode 22 Hope for Recovery for Suicide Attempt Survivors - Episode 49 Love Me to Life: Suicide Recovery at Church by Veronica Sites Sacred Scars: Resting in God's Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson  The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms   Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the Christian Literary Awards Reader's Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be Another Good Day Breaking Anxiety's Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety's Grip Free Study Guide Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety's Grip Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor's Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader's Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader's Choice Award Trusting God Through Cancer 1 Trusting God Through Cancer 2 Revive & Thrive Women's Conference Subdue Stress and Anxiety: Fifteen Experts Offer Comprehensive Tools in Ten Minutes a Day. Use my link plus discount code BENG99 to save $90 on course (course will be $99.) Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win   Social Media Links for Guest and Host: Connect with Veronica Sites: Website / Facebook / Instagram / X / Pinterest / Vimeo / YouTube For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Breaking Anxiety's Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /  Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube Guest: Veronica Sites is a Trauma-Informed Behavioral Health Coach. She serves as peer support and creates safe space for ministering to survivors touched by and that seek recovery beyond the moral injury left by suicide. She challenges the church and her leaders to be equipped and have a plan and protocol every volunteer knows and uses to connect people to next step help.   Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson  

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners Daniel's prophecy about the end times that many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake these to everlasting life, but the others to reproach and everlasting contempt. JOIN DR. JORI IN JOURNALING IN 2024! Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://a.co/d/9B5krQlhttps://a.co/d/iycFlnNHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com  DR. JORI mentioned the conferences by Answers in Genesis.  The link below will take you to the website showing their schedule and upcoming conferences. https://answersingenesis.org/outreach/ Scripture References:Psalm 119:160John 17:17John 14:6John 1:14John 14:23-24Daniel 12:2Matthew 24:15-16Daniel 1:1-7Daniel 12:1-13John 5:25-29John 11:251 Thessalonians 4 & 51 Corinthians 15:50-58   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com Support the show

For 52 weeks I will introduce you to the many names and titles of God. The goal is to learn about his nature and to encourage your faith. Week 38: Magen (God shields His people) - Scripture References: Psalm 3:3, Ephesians 6:10-20, Acts 2. God Over Everything T-Shirts https://www.bonfire.com/god-over-everything160-8/Armor of God: Truth: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/small-talk-big-thoughts/id1551583436?i=1000670309854 Breastplate of Righteousness: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/small-talk-big-thoughts/id1551583436?i=1000657471943 Feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/small-talk-big-thoughts/id1551583436?i=1000643329230 Shield of Faith: This episode Helmet of Salvation: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/small-talk-big-thoughts/id1551583436?i=1000658120076 Sword of the Spirit (Word of God): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/small-talk-big-thoughts/id1551583436?i=1000652922857 Praying always in the Holy Spirit - ruach

Listen as Dr. Scott Aniol unpacks the biblical and theological reasons why Christians should sing imprecatory psalms—those psalms that call for God's justice against evil and wickedness. Exploring the role of these often-neglected psalms in worship, Dr. Aniol explains how they reflect God's holiness, justice, and the believer's submission to His will. Learn why the full range of the Psalms, including imprecatory psalms, is essential for a balanced and faithful worship of God. Discover how singing these psalms can deepen our prayer life, shape our understanding of justice, and equip us to engage with a fallen world.

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners Paul's reminder that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light and so do those who work with him. JOIN DR. JORI IN JOURNALING IN 2024! Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://a.co/d/9B5krQlhttps://a.co/d/iycFlnNHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com  DR. JORI mentioned the conferences by Answers in Genesis.  The link below will take you to the website showing their schedule and upcoming conferences. https://answersingenesis.org/outreach/ Scripture References:Psalm 119:105Psalm 119:11Matthew 6:332 Corinthians 11:142 Corinthians 2:11James 1:222 Corinthians 1:1-21 Timothy 1:12-14Acts 9, 22, 26Acts 181 Corinthians 6:9-112 Corinthians 11:1-15Romans 3:23John 3:16Hebrews 4:15John 8:39-44   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com  Support the show

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners GOD's mercy and HIS faithfulness in keeping the covenant HE made with King David, even though Solomon had disobeyed HIM. JOIN DR. JORI IN JOURNALING IN 2024! Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://a.co/d/9B5krQlhttps://a.co/d/iycFlnNHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com  DR. JORI mentioned the conferences by Answers in Genesis.  The link below will take you to the website showing their schedule and upcoming conferences. https://answersingenesis.org/outreach/ Scripture References:Psalm 119:11Luke 9:231 Kings 11:122 Timohty 3:16-17Hebrews 4:121 Kings 3:5-151 Kings 4:29-341 Kings 9:4-91 Kings 11:1-13Exodus 20:3-61 Kings 11:41-43Genesis 12:3   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com  Support the show

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners Jesus's response to John the Baptist when he sent his disciples to Jesus to ask whether Jesus was the One they had been looking for. JOIN DR. JORI IN JOURNALING IN 2024! Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://a.co/d/9B5krQlhttps://a.co/d/iycFlnNHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com  DR. JORI mentioned the conferences by Answers in Genesis.  The link below will take you to the website showing their schedule and upcoming conferences. https://answersingenesis.org/outreach/ Scripture References:Psalm 119:11Matthew 7:21-23Matthew 11:5Matthew 9:9Luke 1:5-25Matthew 11:1-6Luke 7:18-35Isaiah 35:5-6Isaiah 61:1Matthew 16:13-17   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com  Support the show

In today’s world, you can’t escape being confronted with Halloween. Whether you’re shopping with your family, or driving past your neighbor’s lawn, you’ll find its ghoulish images on display. Using Scripture alone, how should Christians think about it, when the word “Halloween” doesn't appear in the Bible? God’s Word declares we’re not to “learn to follow the abominations of [pagan] nations (Deut. 18:9) or “walk in their ordinances” (Lev. 18:3). Because Halloween is an explicitly demonic and pagan practice, how should we think about its dark culture and walk in the light? Scripture References: Psalm 106: 35-37; Deut. 18:9; Leviticus 18:3; Romans 12:2; 1 Peter 2:9

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners Solomon's reminder that the wise man's heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man's heart directs him toward the left. JOIN DR. JORI IN JOURNALING IN 2024! Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://a.co/d/9B5krQlhttps://a.co/d/iycFlnNHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com  DR. JORI mentioned the conferences by Answers in Genesis.  The link below will take you to the website showing their schedule and upcoming conferences. https://answersingenesis.org/outreach/ Scripture References:Psalm 119:160John 17:17John 14:6Jeremiah 17:9Luke 9:23Matthew 6:33John 16:33Ecclesiastes 10:2Ecclesiastes 1:11 Kings 3:3-151 Kings 4:29-321 Kings 11:1-132 Timothy 3:16-17Ecclesiastes 1:12-18Ecclesiastics 12:13-14Ecclesiastes 5:1-2James 1:5-6Ecclesiastes 10:1-2James 3:13-181 Corinthians 3:18-21Isaiah 41:10Hebrews 1:3Matthew 25:31-331 John 5:19   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com  Support the show

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners Daniels prayer in which he entreated the LORD to listen, forgive, give heed and take action for HIS own sake and how this can be a blueprint at times for us to bring our requests before HIS throne of grace. JOIN DR. JORI IN JOURNALING IN 2024! Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://a.co/d/9B5krQlhttps://a.co/d/iycFlnNHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com  DR. JORI mentioned the conferences by Answers in Genesis.  The link below will take you to the website showing their schedule and upcoming conferences. https://answersingenesis.org/outreach/ Scripture References:Psalm 119:11Daniel 9:19Matthew 7:13-14Matthew 24:15Daniel 1:1-7Daniel 9:1-19Psalm 66:181 Thessalonians 5:191 John 4:1-3James 4:2   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com  Support the show

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners the encouragement in David's Psalm that the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted perish forever. JOIN DR. JORI IN JOURNALING IN 2024! Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://a.co/d/9B5krQlhttps://a.co/d/iycFlnNHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com  DR. JORI mentioned the conferences by Answers in Genesis.  The link below will take you to the website showing their schedule and upcoming conferences. https://answersingenesis.org/outreach/ Scripture References:Psalm 9:18Matthew 4:4Deuteronomy 8:3Psalm 9:18Psalm 9:1-20Psalm 27Matthew 5:3-6Colossians 1:27Hebrews 6:19   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com  Support the show

Has your prayer life grown too safe? Have you settled for prayers that are vague and general, or do you boldly come to God with specific requests? In this episode, I talk about the 3 barriers to bold prayers and how to overcome them with the truth of God's word. You will learn: Why we don't pray specific prayers (and how to change that) How fear of disappointment and self-reliance hold us back How George Müller's powerful life of prayer shows us what God can do when we trust Him fully Through personal stories and practical tips, we'll uncover how to pray boldly and confidently—whether it's for the small things or the big life-altering requests. **Scripture References:** Psalm 37:23-25 1 Peter 1:3 Hebrews 11:6 Matthew 7:9-11 Proverbs 21:31 Stop holding back in your prayers. Pray specifically. Trust that God cares and wants to respond. Subscribe to Wade's Substack to get weekly bonus content: https://wadejoye.substack.com/ Get your copy of Wade's book, “This Dream Is Not For You” : https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/wade-joye/this-dream-is-not-for-you/9781546004790/?lens=worthy Download your free prayer and discernment guide, “10 Questions To Clarify Where God Is Leading And How To Take The Next Step” at https://www.wadejoye.com/discover-Gods-dream-for-your-life Download Wade's free guide “7 Rhythms to Renew The Health Of Your Soul” at https://www.wadejoye.com/7-rhythms-to-renew-the-health-of-your-soul-7781250b-51b5-427c-a19c-e42e3866309a Find out your specific dreamer type by taking Wade's free, 90 second quiz: The Dreamer Quiz https://www.wadejoye.com/dreamerquiz Sign up for Wade's weekly email filled with encouragement and practical applications of spiritual rhythms https://www.wadejoye.com/the-weekly-reset-opt-in Follow Wade on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wadejoye/

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners David's exhortation for the people to sing praises to Yahweh and to declare his mighty acts among the people. JOIN DR. JORI IN JOURNALING IN 2024! Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://a.co/d/9B5krQlhttps://a.co/d/iycFlnNHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com  DR. JORI mentioned the conferences by Answers in Genesis.  The link below will take you to the website showing their schedule and upcoming conferences. https://answersingenesis.org/outreach/ Scripture References:Psalm 9:11James 1:19-25Psalm 9:1-11Matthew 6:9PSalm 9:13Zephaniah 3:17Romans 3:23Psalm 146-150Psalm 146   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com Support the show

In “Tune Your Heart To Truth,” Pastor Steven Furtick teaches us that turning to God for the truth keeps us from being distracted by the enemy's lies.  If you've just made a decision for Christ, please respond HERE: ele.vc/tIepfr To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people all around the world click here: www.elevationchurch.org/giving/ Scripture References:Psalm 144, verses 1-2, 9-11Colossians 3, verse 1Jeremiah 17, verse 9See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.