Abiding Free | Biblical Truth & Encouragement

Last week we entered into the story of Zephaniah and learned that God was bringing judgement not just to the surrounding nations, but to God's people. 

This week we turn to the introduction of the "day of the Lord" and talk about what that means as both a coming day of judgement and salvation. And God had another grievance for His people, in plain language, they wanted to fit in and clothe themselves in worldly attire and attributes rather than be set apart as God's people. They were looking more like the world than the God who choose them.

Instead, God has called His people to put on the beautiful garments of salvation and righteousness, because we are His. And wearing these garments of glory should change everything!

So come, and continue on this journey with Zephaniah. 

• Zephaniah Bible Study: Hidden In Him: A Refuge in the Day of Trouble: Nave, Kristin: 9798826207604: Amazon.com: Books
• Instagram: @abidingfree
• Follow us on Facebook
• Check out our Website HERE
• Contact: [email protected]

Welcome friends, to our six-week devotional series on the book of Zephaniah! Journey with us in this book, a story of a world that looked much like our own: 

Crooked political and religious leaders, nations contenting with nations, declining faith, believers looking more like the world than the God who chose them, the worship of money, and so much more...

The prophet Zephaniah was called to prophesy of the coming day of trouble and judgement on both God's people and the nations in response to abounding evil. But God was bringing His justice and love, not justice or love. And God's justice shows us just how deep His love truly is. 

The story of Zephaniah shows us that not only is God working in our waiting, God is working even when He has been completely forgotten. And not only is God working, He is moving ever closer to us- even in our forgetting-sometimes using His hand of discipline to draw us back to Him. 

And despite the chaos of the world and our own wayward hearts, God will ultimately keep His people hidden in Him in the day of trouble. 

So come and join us these 6 weeks, and journey with Zephaniah as we learn through this redemptive story that God loves and delights in His people as He draws them to Himself. 

• Zephaniah Bible Study: Hidden In Him: A Refuge in the Day of Trouble: Nave, Kristin: 9798826207604: Amazon.com: Books
• Instagram: @abidingfree
• Follow us on Facebook
• Check out our Website HERE
• Contact: [email protected]

This week on Abiding Free we share some amazing stories and exciting updates as we draw our first season to a close, and launch an amazing new summer devotional series on the book of Zephaniah!   On today's episode we touch on the truths we will dive into as we study this book. The truth that in the darkness that seems so strong in our world today sometimes, we can be Hidden in Him, because HE is our refuge in the day of trouble.

We love being on this journey of freedom with you all!

Find More on Abiding Free:

• Instagram: @abidingfree
• Follow us on Facebook
• Check out our Website HERE
• Contact: [email protected]

Have you ever found yourself let down or hurt by your spouse?

It’s probably fair to say that we have all been in this scenario whether it be from a spouse or another family member. Often it’s those closest to us who hurt us the most. But when we are let down by those we love, where do we turn, and how do we stop the cycle?

This week on Abiding Free, we are discussing how to recognize when our expectations of others reach a point of seeking fulfillment. We talk about how to identify this, and why this is detrimental to our relationships. 

When we are feeling empty and searching for more, there is certainly somewhere we should turn, but it's not in the relationships around us. If we place that expectation on the wrong people it can get dangerous quickly.

There is another answer, and we want to share it with you today on Abiding Free.

The Lord promises, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart. I will be found by you.”

This week, let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, the author, and perfector of our faith, and dive into Him to be the fulfillment of each and every need. He alone is our living water.

Episode Highlights: 

• How to identify when you’re counting on your spouse to fulfill you.
• How the enemy's tactic is to rip families apart.
• The importance of repenting when we are convicted and lose sight of our relationships.
• The importance of being filled with the spirit in order to have healthy relationships.

Have you ever doubted the validity of the Bible?

Today on Abiding free, we have two amazing guests: Dr. John Meade and Dr. Peter Gurry. These brilliant men are Directors of Text and Canon Institute of Phoenix Seminary. They have dedicated their lives to researching and studying the history of God's word to educate and inform others.

If you’ve ever asked the above question or anything of the like, we want you to know you’re not alone. There is no shame in asking hard questions, and through today's episode, Dr. Mead and Dr. Gurry candidly discuss these questions and more.

Friend, you don’t need to be an expert on the Bible to have a relationship with Jesus. Our hope through today’s episode is that you feel encouraged and gain confidence to dive deeper into the Word and become one step closer to abiding in true freedom.

Episode Highlights: 

• What the Text and Canon Institute is.
• How word spread about the stories in the Bible.
• A discussion on certain written books and why they were left out of the Bible.
• What the Apocrypha is and why they are not included in the Bible.
• Why we shouldn’t be terrified about concerns raised on what books were chosen from the Bible.
• How we can rest assured that the English translation is accurate.

Find more on Dr. John Meade Dr. Peter Gurry:

• Text and Canon Institute
• Text and Canon Instagram ​​
• Phoenix Seminary Instagram
• Scribes & Scripture

Find More on Abiding Free:

• Instagram: @abidingfree
• Follow us on Facebook
• Check out our Website HERE

Contact: [email protected]

In this crazy world, there’s no shortage of restlessness, chaos, stress, and worry, but where do we go to find peace?

In today’s culture, self-care, luxurious vacations, and self-indulgence are where we are told to turn when we’re feeling overwhelmed or nearing burnout. Unfortunately, those solutions are simply a band-aid to a much bigger issue. Friends, we’re not saying these things are bad when done in moderation, but if these things are where we turn to find true peace, we will walk away feeling empty every time.

The good news is, there’s still hope.

There is a true promise of peace available to all of us, and today we walk you through where to find those promises and how to pursue genuine peace.

There is freedom in peace when we search for it in the right places and pursue it will all of our hearts. 

Thank you for joining us for another week of Abiding Free.

Episode Highlights: 

• What peace is.
• Why the world is constantly searching for peace.
• Where we should go when searching for peace.
• The importance of memorizing scripture.
• How to continually pursue peace.

Find More on Abiding Free:

• Micca Campbell article: Micca Campbell| Proverbs 31 Ministries Speakers
• Instagram: @abidingfree
• Follow us on Facebook
• Check out our Website HERE
• Contact: [email protected]

*Warning-Contents of this episode contain sexual assault, rape, and abuse stories. Please be advised if any of those topics are a trigger to you.*

When horrific things happen to us or those we love–things like rape, sexual assault, or other trauma of sorts—where is God? Is He there?

Today we are sharing a conversation with author and speaker Veronica Stephens. Veronica sheds light on what’s it’s like to live a life of trauma from sexual assault, verbal and physical abuse, and other family traumas. But when it comes to Veronica, that’s not what she allows to define her.

As Veronica vulnerably shares her complex story, it's easy to let your mind wonder, “God, where were you?” But even through Veronica’s darkest moments, she can now see that He was there with her all along, loving and protecting her by giving her tools to push through and allow God to continue writing her story.

Generational curses do not have to be the end of us, friends. Evil does not get the final say.

We know you will find hope and encouragement to lean into God through today's interview, even when you can’t feel Him. For it’s in those moments when He is truly closest, working out His perfect plan. Don’t give up, friends. Your story is still being written.

Episode Highlights: 

• Veronica’s story and background.
• Veronica’s walk with trauma and divorce.
• Uncovering Veronica’s “Box of secrets.”
• How Veronica’s lens of scripture shifted as she began to heal.

Find more on Guest:

• Boxes of Secrets

Find More on Abiding Free:

• Instagram: @abidingfree
• Follow us on Facebook
• Check out our Website HERE
• Contact: [email protected]

When you’re feeling weary and anxious, where do you turn?

Anxiety is running rampant in our world right now. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders in the U.S., impacting more than 40 million people. With its prevalence growing, we must begin diving into these complex topics within the church.

Today, we have devotional writer Tina Reale on the show to talk about this very topic. Having struggled with anxiety throughout her life, Tina shares a beautiful perspective on living with and overcoming anxiety.

When anxiety rears its ugly head, it’s easy to feel like hope is lost, but dear friend, anxiety does not get the final say. Throughout this episode, you will find encouragement to press on and practical tips to apply to your life when anxiety arises.

Our hope today is that by the end of this episode, you will feel more equipped when it comes to your anxiety.

Draw near to Him, and He will guide you through every trial you face. 

Thank you for joining us for another week of Abiding Free.

Episode Highlights: 

• An introduction to Tina Reale.
• Tina, Kristin, and Shannon’s struggles with anxiousness.
• Spiritual and practical things to help with anxiety.
• Encouragement and scripture to cling to when anxiety arises.

Find more on Tina Reale:

• https://www.tinareale.com/
• Follow Tina on Instagram

Find More on Abiding Free

• Six things to Do With Your Anxiety by Justin Taylor
• Instagram: @abidingfree
• Follow us on Facebook
• Check out our Website HERE
• Contact: [email protected]

Thank you for joining us for another week of the Abiding Free Podcast! Friends, we are so excited to share our guest with you today. Many of you know him as an author, preacher, and speaker. Francis Chan is a wonderful man who God has used to impact millions of people all across the world, and we are honored to have him on our show today.

Francis is so full of biblical wisdom, and today we talk to him about the power of the Holy Spirit, faith and miracles. With every question, Francis answers candidly and with true conviction. He talks about the gap that exists between how we see God working in scripture and what we see today, then gives us a call to action to not settle for a fraction of the Holy Spirit, but to know you can experience an intimate relationship with God by the power of the Holy Spirit everyday, no matter what your circumstances!

On top of all of his wonderful insight, Francis also shares a brief life update on how he and his family are doing and what they have planned next. Additionally, Shannon and Francis share a miraculous story they both walked through together.

This episode is packed full of truth, and we know you will walk away feeling inspired and encouraged. Enjoy as you listen friends, and if you think of someone who needs to hear this episode, please share it!

It was for freedom that Christ has set you Free.

Episode Highlights: 

• Not allowing the wisdom of man to be what comes out of our mouths, but instead the power of God.
• An update on Francis’s life.
• Speaking on the gap between the miracles you see in the Bible and what we see today.
• Wanting the church to experience the power of God.
• A call to action to not settle for a fraction of the Holy Spirit, but to know you can experience an intimate relationship with God by the power of the Holy Spirit everyday, no matter what your circumstances!  (If you are a child of God)
• “Find a community of people that have faith the power of God and pray together”

Find more on Francis Chan:

• Crazy Love Ministries
• Follow Francis on Instagram
• YWAM Website

Find More on Abiding Free:

• Instagram: @abidingfree
• Follow us on Facebook
• Check out our Website HERE
• Contact: [email protected]

When it comes to being a Christian facing discord or disunity, is it better to be meek and quiet, or bold and outspoken?

Welcome back to another week of Abiding Free. This week we hope to remind you that every day, we are facing spiritual warfare–and it’s not between fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. This war is against the enemy, and his goal is to create division.

Today we are diving into how to approach sensitive topics that are not black and white in the Bible–regardless of what personality type we have. We understand that this can be confusing when convictions clash. 

We are called to humility, love, unity, and quietness but we are also called to be bold lions, so which approach is more appropriate? Our hope is that by the end of this episode you have a little more clarity on that very question. 

Living in the middle can be messy, and oftentimes is the hardest place to be, but as Christians, that's truly where we find unity.

Friends, Satan is trying to thwart our impact and ability to be the light by dividing us, deceiving us, and blurring the lines. 

Don’t let the enemy win.

Thank you for joining us for another week of Abiding Free.

Episode Highlights: 

• Bringing light to Satan’s agenda to pull us into darkness.
• How Satan is trying to divide us.
• How we can avoid falling into extremes that thwart our unity.

Find More on Abiding Free:

• Instagram: @abidingfree
• Follow us on Facebook
• Check out our Website HERE
• Contact: [email protected]