Catch On Fire | Bible Teaching & Christian Growth

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“My Times Are In Your Hands” explores David’s cry for help and confidence in Psalm 31:13–17. Surrounded by fear and opposition, he chooses trust over panic, faith over fear, and surrender over control. No matter what you’re facing today, God is still in control. Your times, your past, present, and future, rest safely in His hands. 

Terror on every side is not the end of the story. We open Psalm 31 and follow its echo through time to see how real people faced lions, emperors, prisons, furnaces, and fog with a steady, surrendered trust. David’s confession, “My times are in your hands,” becomes a spine for courage as we connect scripture’s heartbeat with lives that refused to bow to fear.

We start with the Psalms as Israel’s prayerbook and trace how Psalm 31 surfaces at crucial moments—from Jesus’ final words to Paul’s testimony before Nero. Then we move through history: John Wycliffe insisting the Bible belongs in plain English, William Tyndale translating from the original languages and sealing his work with prayer and blood, and Jonathan Edwards calling hearts to deep conversion during the Great Awakening. Each story shows how faith navigates changing seasons without losing its center.

Courage gets personal with Harriet Tubman, who memorized scripture and trusted God’s guidance to lead hundreds to freedom, and with George Müller, who funded orphan care through prayer rather than appeals, expecting specific answers from a faithful Father. Along the way, we revisit the three Hebrew boys’ “even if” stance and Isaiah’s assurance during Assyria’s siege to remind us that deliverance belongs to God and obedience belongs to us. We close with a clear invitation to follow Jesus, practical steps for discipleship, and spoken declarations rooted in God’s promises.

If you need renewed courage, a stronger prayer life, or a fresh reason to trust when the headlines howl, this conversation will steady your heart. Listen, share with a friend who’s in a hard season, and if the message meets you today, follow the show, leave a review, and tell us: where are you placing your times—in your hands, or His?

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In Genesis 18:9–14, God reminds Abraham and Sarah that nothing is too hard for Him. Even when circumstances seem impossible and timelines feel long overdue, we are still in God’s holy plan. His promises never expire, His purposes never fail, and His timing is always perfect. 

When hope feels threadbare and timelines mock your prayers, the question that changes everything is simple: Is anything too wonderful for God? We walk through Genesis 18 with Abraham and Sarah, tracing a promise given in impossibility and fulfilled on God’s clock. Along the way, we explore why delays can be holy, how names signal destiny, and what it means when God calls you specifically—by name—into a future that looks bigger than your history.

We broaden the lens beyond Abraham’s tent. Mary Magdalene moves from torment to first witness of the resurrection because devotion kept her near Jesus when others left. Fanny Crosby, writing thousands of hymns without sight, shows how limitation can become a megaphone for grace. Chuck Colson’s journey from political infamy to global prison ministry proves that even a shattered reputation can be repurposed for mercy. Their stories, alongside Moses, David, and Paul, reveal a pattern: the waiting room is often God’s workshop, where character is forged to carry the very answers we’re asking for.

You’ll hear how shortcuts complicate what faith clarifies, why our words can guard or jeopardize a promise, and how to live with steady expectation when results are slow. We share practical ways to endure delay—writing the vision, aligning speech, walking in obedience, and staying close to community—so your hope can mature rather than wither. If your heart has grown cautious like Sarah’s laugh behind the tent, let this be the moment you lift your eyes again.

Subscribe for more scripture-rich encouragement, share this with a friend who’s waiting on a breakthrough, and leave a review telling us the promise you’re holding onto. Your story isn’t over—and neither is God’s promise.

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“Soar on Wings Like Eagles” is a powerful reminder from Isaiah 40:27–31 that God restores the weary, strengthens the weak, and uplifts those who trust in Him. No matter what you’re facing, God promises renewal, strength to run without growing weary and courage to rise above adversity. Let this message revive your hope and help you to soar again. 

Isaiah seems to have spent the whole, or the greater part, of his life in the city of Jerusalem. For many years he was the most remarkable figure, and sometimes the most influential man, in that city.  Tradition states that he was of royal lineage which would seem to be true as he had easy access to the Kings. 

Isaiah is the preeminent prophet of the Major Prophets. The book of Isaiah is known for sheer lyricism and poetry. In length Isaiah is second only to Psalms. Psalms had multiple authors. Isaiah is the sole author of the book of Isaiah. The New Testament contains more than four hundred references to Isaiah. Isaiah describes in chapter six, how he was called by God in the year that King Uzziah died. Isaiah then proceeded to prophesy for more than forty years. The initial vision of God that is described in chapter six, colored all of Isaiah’s prophecies.  The book of Isaiah is unequaled among the prophets in its tremendous vision of God and the glory that is in store for God’s people. 

In this chapter, Isaiah is speaking to God’s people who are in exile in Babylon. These Israelites experienced the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC. These Jews had lost their homeland and identity and were grappling with deep questions as to whether or not God cared about them. This chapter addresses the deep sense of despair that the exiled Israelites are experiencing and offers a vision of God’s faithfulness, compassion, and power. Isaiah reassures God’s people that this is not the end of the story, God will restore and deliver. 

In this chapter, Isaiah delivers powerful words of comfort and hope. The beginning verse emphatically declares that God is comforting His people. God is declaring that the time of hardship has come to an end, the sin is redeemed and that these exiled Jews will receive from the Lord double for their trouble. The Lord is speaking with tremendous compassion and love to His chosen people, Israel. 

Isaiah then proceeds to paint a vivid picture of restoration. Isaiah prophesies that a highway will appear in the desert, which depicts the seemingly impossibility of the return of the exiles to their homelands. Isaiah speaks of the raising up of valleys and the leveling of mountains, so as to make one smooth continuous highway. This signifies that all obstacles will be removed from the route, and the exiles will have a clear path for their journey. 

In this chapter, Isaiah also contrasts the fleeting nature of human lives with the everlasting and enduring nature of God’s Word. Death is guaranteed for all men. Kingdoms rise and fall but God’s Word remains. As Isaiah so beautifully states, the Word of God stands forever.  The Bible has survived centuries where it had to be copied manually by hand. Critics, ever-changing philosophies, and persecution have been a constant throughout the ages. There has been neglect, doubt and disbelief but God’s Word still remains.   

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“Let Me Not Be Ashamed” explores David’s heartfelt prayer in Psalm 25:1–7. It is a plea for guidance, forgiveness, and protection from disgrace. When we trust in God, He never lets us be put to shame. He leads us in truth and remembers us according to His mercy, not our past mistakes. Let this message strengthen your faith and anchor your hope in God’s character. 

Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Songs of Songs, and Lamentations are known as the poetic Books of the Old Testament. The Psalms are a book of Israel’s prayer and praise.  The Book of Psalms consists of 150 individual psalms or compositions. Based on the titles/headings of the psalms, the authors of about two thirds of the Psalms can be identified. 

Seventy-three of the Psalms are associated with David. It is believed that David also wrote some of the approximately fifty psalms that are not associated with any particular person. 

The historical setting of the headings of the psalms provides some information as to when the psalms were composed. Psalms come from a period covering a thousand years of Israel’s history. All the way from Moses (15th century BC, Psalm 90) up to post-exilic times (5th century BC, Psalm 126). The Psalms have a distinct structure and unity. They are divided into five books, mirroring the five books of Moses, and each of these sections ends with a doxology.   

The psalms were the worship material of the Jews and as such were intended to address the needs of people who were coming to worship God from all backgrounds and experiences of life. The psalms are poetry set to music in order to facilitate praise, prayer, and worship. These psalms were sung by the worshippers in the temple similar to how we utilize our present-day hymnals. That is why we say psalms 23 and not psalms chapter 23, as each psalm is a song in its own right. In the same manner, we would say Hymn #45.   

Psalms 25 falls into Book 1 of the psalms and is a member of the class of Psalms that are known as “acrostic / alphabetical psalms.” They are so called because the first word of each verse starts with one of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. There are only seven such acrostic psalms, and they are psalms 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, and 145. This is the very first of these acrostic psalms. The acrostic pattern was used to lend beauty and form to the psalm. 

Psalms 25 is an individual lament and was written by David, the man after God’s own heart. It is not clear what were the circumstances under which David felt led to write this psalm. David was often in trouble throughout his life.  This psalm is a prayer for deliverance, guidance, and forgiveness. 

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In 1 Thessalonians 2:13–18, Paul celebrates the Thessalonian believers for receiving the Word of God—not as human words, but as the living and active truth that transforms lives. This passage reminds us what faithful discipleship looks like: enduring trials, holding firmly to the gospel, and living in a way that honors Christ. 

The book of 1 Thessalonians depicts the Apostle Paul’s brief but impactful ministry in the city of Thessalonica. Paul was forced to leave Thessalonia due to persecution. After a prolonged absence he wrote this follow-up letter of encouragement and teaching. 1 Thessalonians was written around 50–51 AD while the Apostle Paul was sojourning in Corinth. It is believed that this is the earliest of Paul’s surviving letters and as such, one of the oldest books in the New Testament.  

The Thessalonian church was founded during Paul’s second missionary journey. Paul travelled to Thessalonica from Philippi, a journey of ninety miles. Thessalonica was the capital city of Macedonia. This city was situated on one of the best natural harbors in the northern Aegean and four major roads met at the city of Thessalonica. This favorable location led to its growth in population, wealth, and importance. Thessalonica was a bustling commercial city with a population of about 100,000 people.  It was probably because of this factor that this church was able to send funds to Paul while he was at Corinth, which enabled him to preach full-time there without having a second vocation.  During his stay in Thessalonica, Paul supported himself by tent-making, thereby avoiding the charge that he was preaching the gospel to obtain financial gain. 

After Paul had preached in the synagogue for only three Sabbaths, some of the Jews started a riot against Paul, Silas, and a Thessalonian named Jason. They accused the new believers of defying Caesar by “saying that there’s another King, Jesus” (Acts 17:7). This incited mob violence as a riot broke out. The rioters were not able to locate Paul and Silas. However, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city authorities. These people were released after paying bail.  However, the situation was so serious that Paul was encouraged to leave that same night under cover of darkness. Paul in the letters reminds the Thessalonians that their suffering is proof of their commitment.

The overall purpose of the Thessalonian letters was to strengthen the faith of new converts. Paul was writing to nurture a young Christian community that was situated in the midst of a pluralistic and hostile environment.  As a result, Thessalonians addresses issues such as alienation from family and friends as well as the cooling off of one’s initial spiritual ardor after being saved. 

Chapter 2 of 1 Thessalonians serves as Paul's defense of his character and ministry among the Thessalonian believers. He recounts his time with them, reminding them of the sincerity of his motives and the loving nature of his conduct. Paul did this as a response to false accusations, likely spread by opponents, who attacked Paul’s character after he was forced to leave the city.   

May this message encourage you to grow as a faithful follower of Jesus, even when facing challenges. 

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Experience the transformative power of God in “Dead Bones Live Again,” a message inspired by Ezekiel 37. No matter how dry, hopeless, or broken your situation may seem, God is able to breathe life, restore purpose, and revive what feels lost. 

Ezekiel was a priest who was among the Jewish captives carried away to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar in approximately 597 B.C.  After being taken captive, Ezekiel settled with other Jews in a place called Tel Abib on the Chebar River. It was there that Ezekiel recorded that the heavens were opened to him and he saw the visions of God. The book of Ezekiel is written from a first-person perspective and records the visions and revelations that Ezekiel received from the Lord. 

Ezekiel prophesied from about 592 to 570 B.C. Ezekiel was a contemporary of both Jeremiah and Daniel. Ezekiel prophesied and delivered the Lord’s words to the Jewish exiles in Babylon at approximately the same time that Jeremiah was prophesying in Judah and Daniel was prophesying in the Babylonian court. 

In this chapter, Ezekiel 37, Ezekiel records the vision that he received from the Lord of Israel’s restoration after the exile to Babylon. In these verses, the Lord promises to gather the Israelites from captivity, return them to their promised lands, renew His covenant with them, and reunite the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. 

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