Love God First

Ep 93 A Three-Step Process for Guidance, Mt 7:7-11

In our second summer devotional episode, we take just a few minutes to look at a three-step process to ask God for guidance. Prayer time is not supposed to be only a one-sided conversation. We can count on our Heavenly Father to give us wisdom and direction as we pray and ask, then seek and knock. 

Ep92 A Short Look at Ps 139:23,24

In this short summer devotional, we take a moment away from Genesis to think about the last two verses of Psalm 139. David models for us how to pray a prayer with a humble, trusting heart that is open to God. We can do the same thing!

Ep91 The God Who Sees: Understanding El Roi, Gen 16:6-16

In this episode we explore the story of Hagar one finalt time as we focus on the character of God as El-Roi, the God Who Sees. I emphasize the importance of understanding God's constant presence in our lives, especially during times of loneliness and suffering. Through Hagar's experience, listeners are encouraged to reflect on the fact that Jesus is ever-present with us, whether we can feel it or not.
 
Schell, Steve, “The God Who Sees”: (sermon, Northwest Church, Federal Way, WA, May 19, 2002).
 
Keywords
God, Hagar, El-Roi, faith, promises, testimony, loneliness, prayer, character of God, understanding God
 
 

Ep90 How to Gain Fresh Strength from God, Gen. 16:6-16

Keywords
 
Hagar, biblical stories, faith, obedience, strength, divine intervention, motherhood, character growth, spiritual healing, God's promises
 
 
Summary
 
In this third episode from the account of Hagar, we explore the story of Hagar from her own perspective, highlighting the truths about her character and looking closely at God's interaction with her. Through Hagar's journey in the desert, we see God show yet again that He knows what we need, and He alone can fill us with the strength it will take to walk where He leads us.

Ep89 How NOT to Live Passively, Gen. 16:1-6

In this episode we delve into the story of Hagar, Abram, and Sarai, exploring themes of decision-making, passivity, and the importance of living out an active faith. I emphasize the need to learn from Abram's mistakes, particularly when looking at his passive responses to Sarai's actions. Looking closely at Abram's part of the story will encourage listeners to actively pursue God and engage with their faith. I highlight the consequences of passivity in relationships and the necessity of support from others as we continue walking out our faith in Christ.
This is the second of four episodes looking at Hagar's story from differing perspectives.
 
Keywords
Hagar, Abram, Sarai, passivity, faith, decision making, biblical lessons, community, prayer, active pursuit
 

Ep88 Sarai's Struggles: A Lesson in Dependence on God, Gen. 16

In this episode, I explore the story of Hagar from Genesis 16, focusing on the themes of dependence on God, the struggles of Sarai, and the cultural context of her decision to give her maid as an extra wife to her husband. Through Sarai's story we can see how easy it is to try and generate our own human solutions to God's leading and promises instead of relying on God Himself to do what He has promised.
This is the first of four episodes where we look at the same story from four different points of view. 
 
 
Keywords
dependence on God, Hagar, Sarai, faith, trust, promises, surrender, prayer, biblical stories, personal reflection
 

Ep 87 Understanding the Depth of Covenant with Kari Bulman Pt 2

In this episode Pastor Kari Bulman and I continue our conversation about covenant and its significance to us today.  Through covenant, God's shows us His unwavering commitment to His people. Hopefully by the end of this episode we can get closer to truly understanding the depth of God's commitment to us.
 
 
Keywords
covenant, love God, Old Covenant, New Covenant, marriage, promises, faith, relationship, trust, leadership
 

Ep86 Understanding the Depth of Covenant with Kari Bulman Pt 1

In this episode Pastor Kari Bulman and I explore the concept of covenant and its significance in both biblical and modern times. We talk about the difference between the Old and New Covenants and discuss how covenants represent trust and commitment, contrasting them with the contracts we make in our modern-day world. Ultimately, we highlight the beauty of God's unwavering commitment to His people and the transformative power of understanding covenant relationships.
 
 
Keywords
covenant, love God, Old Covenant, New Covenant, marriage, promises, faith, relationship, trust, leadership
 

Ep85 A Serious Promise, Gen 15:8-21

In this episode, we delve into the profound theme of God's covenant love as illustrated through the life of Abraham. We explore the nature of covenants in the ancient Near East, the significance of the covenant ceremony between God and Abram, and how this covenant foreshadows and is fulfilled by the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. The episode emphasizes the level of commitment God has to His promises and the depth of His love, encouraging listeners to appreciate the covenant relationship we have with God through faith in Jesus.
If you want to learn more about covenant, watch this Essential Doctrines video from Life Lesson Publishing explaining more. I used it myself to prepare this episode!
https://youtu.be/0TyQDQW5pPE
 
 
Keywords
covenant, God's love, Abraham, biblical themes, Old Testament, New Testament, faith, promise, Jesus, sacrifice
 

Ep84 Faith is a Choice, Gen 15:1-7

 
We explore on a little bit more of the journey and life of Abraham, focusing on him becoming a father of many nations because he believed in the Lord. I touch on the the importance of honesty in prayer, but the real focus is on the significance of faith and its connection to righteousness. Ultimately, we must make the choice to believe God just like Abram did.
 
Keywords
Abraham, faith, God's promises, righteousness, belief, covenant, spiritual journey, biblical teachings, prayer