Discover the Word Podcast

What does your name mean? Why were you given your name? Does it mean anything to you? Well, in this Discover the Word study, Bill lead Elisa and Bill and Daniel and Rasool in looking at some of the Old Testament "names" that are given to God. Discover how those names describe important aspects of what God is like and how these names can give us security and confidence to trust this God who love us so much.

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As we explore some of the Old Testament names that are given to God, we can rejoice as we discover how those names describe important aspects of what God is like and how they can give us security and confidence to trust this God who loves us so much. 

How awesome to know that Yahweh/Jehovah is the Great I Am as well as Jehovah-Jireh our Provider, Jehovah-Rapha our Healer, Jehovah-Nissi our Banner, and Jehovah-M'Kadesh our Sanctifier! 

God is much greater than we could ever comprehend or describe with mere words. When we remember how good, loving, holy, merciful, and powerful God is, it helps us keep everything else in perspective.   

Reflect  

• Why do you think Abraham focused on God’s mercy and faithfulness, not on his own obedience, when he called the place Jehovah-Jireh in Genesis 22:14?  
• What do you think God was saying about Himself in Exodus 3:13–14?  
• How does the name Jehovah-Rapha in Exodus 15:26 relate to Jesus, the Great Physician? 
• According to Exodus 17:15–16, who ultimately won the victory for the Israelites? 
• Based on Exodus 31:12–15, who makes us holy?  

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Dear God, thank You for being my Provider, Healer, Sanctifier, Banner, and so much more! Help me to call upon You in good and bad times. Help me to meditate on Your Word and on how glorious and marvelous You are!” 

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• What Does It Mean to Say, “The Genesis Account Is True”? 
• Noah: Hope in the Waters of Remaking 
• Joshua: Conquering the Impossible 
• David, Goliath, and the Gospel: Living in Light of Our Savior’s Victory 
• The Strength to Be Wise 

Listen: 

•  But . . . But . . . But . . . How God Responds to Our Excuses 
• Who Is God? A Study of Ephesians 

Read: 

• Child of God  
• Set Free to Worship God 

Watch: 

• Jesus: the Bridge to God? 
• Revelation 4:8 / Holy, Holy, Holy 

This series of 15 conversations revisits the story of a world-class liar and deceiver. The intent is to find insight and perspective as we explore together what Jacob, the father of the original 12 tribes of Israel contributes to the bigger story of Jesus— and to us. Even though he was a grandson of Abraham, Jacob turned out to be so dishonest that he had to leave home to avoid being killed by the older brother he betrayed. Yet his legacy is as wonderful as it is mysterious. God loved Jacob, and chose him to be a blessing to every family of the earth. What was God trying to tell us?

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As we ponder Jacob’s life, we can find hope that God never gave up on him. 

God was with Jacob as he ran from his past, was deceived by his father-in-law, and wrestled with doubts and fear before returning to face the brother he had deceived decades before. 

Through every twist and turn, God was transforming Jacob into Israel, who would be a blessing to many.   

How wonderful to know that God doesn’t give up on us either! He is there guiding and transforming us into the image of Jesus.  

Reflect  

• Even with so many reassurances of God’s protection, why was Jacob still terrified to reunite with Esau as we read in Genesis 32:3–8?   
• Based on Jacob’s prayer in Genesis 32:9–12, what was going on in his heart? 
• What was Jacob doing in Genesis 32:13–21? Was he adding faithful action to his prayers or was it once again a desperate attempt to try to solve his own problems apart from God? 
• What did the encounter recorded in Genesis 32:22–30 mean and what was the outcome?  
• Based on Genesis 33:1–11, how were Israel (Jacob) and Esau able to be reconciled with each other? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Dear God, thank You for never giving up on me. Help me to always seek Your will for my life. Help me to live a life that pleases You.” 

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Our Daily Bread Ambassador Program  

Listen: 

• Why Should I Forgive  
• Does Jesus Really Want Me to Hate My Family?  

Read: 

• Forgiveness & Reconciliation 
• Mending a Broken Relationship  

Watch: 

• Repairing Relationships | Genesis 33:5-11  
• How Do I Repent? | Acts 3:19  

This series of 15 conversations revisits the story of a world-class liar and deceiver. The intent is to find insight and perspective as we explore together what Jacob, the father of the original 12 tribes of Israel contributes to the bigger story of Jesus— and to us. Even though he was a grandson of Abraham, Jacob turned out to be so dishonest that he had to leave home to avoid being killed by the older brother he betrayed. Yet his legacy is as wonderful as it is mysterious. God loved Jacob, and chose him to be a blessing to every family of the earth. What was God trying to tell us?

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Jacob turned out to be so dishonest that he had to leave home to avoid being killed by the older brother he betrayed. Yet his legacy is as wonderful as it is mysterious.  

Although Jacob’s life and relationships raise lots of questions, we can see that God still loved Jacob and God chose him to be a blessing to every family of the earth.  

As we reflect on Jacob’s story, we can rejoice that God loves us despite our flaws, struggles, and weaknesses and can still use us to be a blessing to many.  

Reflect  

• How might Rebekah have justified the scheme to deceive her husband as we find in Genesis 27:41– 45? 
• Why would God offer not only to provide and protect a man like Jacob, but also to make him part of the story that would bring blessing to the whole world as we read in Genesis 28:10–17? 
• In Genesis 28:18–22, was Jacob expressing the kind of faith that pleases God or trying to put conditions on his faith? 
• Based on Genesis 31:5–7, what was happening in Jacob during those twenty years of struggle and betrayal while living with and working for his dishonest father-in-law? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Dear God, thank You for loving me despite my flaws, mistakes, and past. Thank You for Your mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Help me to surrender to You in every area of my life and to trust You in every season.”  

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Our Daily Bread Ministries' Press Giving Campaign   

Listen: 

• The Master of Forgiveness  
• Myths of Forgiveness  

Read: 

• A Socially Suspect Ancestry  
• The Forgiveness of God 

Watch: 

• Jerusalem – The City of Forgiveness (The Holy Land)  
• Jerusalem – The Cost of Forgiveness (The Holy Land)

This series of 15 conversations revisits the story of a world-class liar and deceiver. The intent is to find insight and perspective as we explore together what Jacob, the father of the original 12 tribes of Israel contributes to the bigger story of Jesus— and to us. Even though he was a grandson of Abraham, Jacob turned out to be so dishonest that he had to leave home to avoid being killed by the older brother he betrayed. Yet his legacy is as wonderful as it is mysterious. God loved Jacob, and chose him to be a blessing to every family of the earth. What was God trying to tell us?

Receive 

When we consider Jacob’s life and ponder his legacy, let’s remember that God is in the redemption business.  

Even though Jacob was a world-class liar and deceiver God loved him. Jacob became the father of the original 12 tribes of Israel and God used him to be a blessing to every family on the earth.  

God’s ways may seem mysterious to us at times, but we can trust that He is working things out for our good. We can trust God’s loving kindness, mercy, and grace even when we don’t understand His ways.  

Reflect  

• Keeping in mind the big picture of Scripture, how can a God who wants to be known for fairness, justice, and mercy, be a God who favors one person over another as we read in Genesis 25:21–28?   
• Based on Genesis 12:1–3, how is Jacob’s story more than simply a favorite son or daughter problem? 
• What could be the possible reason for Jacob’s unusual name found in Genesis 25:24–26?  

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Dear God, thank You that I can trust You even when I don’t understand how You are working in my life. Help me to overcome my doubts, fear, or confusion by knowing that You are good and You are working things out for my good.”  

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Our Daily Bread Stories of Impact 

Listen: 

• Forgiveness, The Story of Easter  
• Whole Man Podcast  

Read: 

• God’s Promise to a Crooked People  
• How We Got Here  
• It's Not Fair, God 

Watch: 

• From Prison Walls to Purpose: The Cornelius Family’s Story of Redemption  
• Our Daily Redeemer

Have you ever struggled with the question "what am I supposed to do with my life?" From pretty early on in our lives, we begin to ask that question, only to discover that it reappears in almost every stage of life. So, this week, Daniel is going to lead Elisa and Bill and Rasool in looking at a few stories of “calling” in the Bible and see how these stories might help us think through where we currently are, how God may be leading us in whatever season we’re in, and what the answer to that question—what am I supposed to do with my life?—might be for us right now. Hearing God's Call is the focus of this series of conversations on Discover the Word.

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If you've ever struggled with the question, "What am I supposed to do with my life?" be encouraged that you're not alone. Questioning what you're supposed to do with your life, no matter what stage you're in, is a common and valid question. 

As we look at a few stories of “calling” in the Bible, let's see how these stories might help us think through where we currently are and how God may be leading us in whatever season we’re in.  

We can take heart that regardless of where we are in life right now, God is calling us into an ever-deepening relationship with Him, where we're being transformed into the person that God has made us to be. 

Reflect  

• Why is Genesis 1–3 a good passage to begin with to discuss “calling” in the Bible? 
• According to Esther 4, how much of Esther’s story, or calling, has to do with what she wanted versus having to respond to what happened to her? 
• Based on Ruth 1:1–18, how does Ruth's story demonstrate how faithfulness in the everyday is part of God’s calling on all our lives, especially when we can’t see what may come? 
• According to Amos 1:1 and Amos 7:10–15, how does Amos' story show us that God can call us out of our comfort zones and skill sets to do the work He has for us to do? 
• What can Paul and Ananias in Acts 9:1–22 teach us about our primary calling in life?  

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Dear God, thank You that You've called me to have a deeper relationship with You. Help me to follow You and serve You even if it seems ordinary and mundane, if it means stepping out of my comfort zone, or I feel unqualified."  

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• 7 Bible Stories to Hear God's Calling (Reclaim Today)   

Listen: 

• Answer the Call   
• God Hears Her Podcast: Your Everyday Purpose (Elisa, Eryn and Vivian) 

Read: 

• The Call to Discipleship: Embracing the Journey of Following Christ  
• Discipleship and Obedience  

Watch: 

• Outside Your Comfort Zone | Acts 10  
• A Call to Something New (Matthew 4:19-22)

Bill Crowder admits to being a Christmas junkie. It's easy to feel the joy of celebrating Jesus' birth. But it's the message of Easter, and Jesus' resurrection, that fueled the growth of the early church. Join the group as Bill leads Elisa and Daniel and Rasool in exploring how and why The Message of Good News is still the transformative truth that Jesus conquered sin and death, and has proven His power to deliver us from eternal destruction. Jesus' resurrection is at the center of The Message of Good News.

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The message of Jesus’ resurrection isn’t meant to be celebrated just on Easter Sunday. Every Sunday is Easter Sunday! Jesus’ resurrection is what fueled the growth of the early church. The message of good news is still the transformative truth that Jesus conquered sin and death and has proven His power to deliver us from eternal destruction.   

As we reflect on Jesus’ resurrection, let’s remember that the message of good news is the centerpiece of God’s rescue plan for a broken world. And it’s central to our Christian walk.  

As we ponder how the good news of Jesus’ resurrection was presented for the first time, let’s rejoice knowing the resurrection really is the hinge on which all of history turns. 

Reflect  

• How do the events recorded in Luke 24:1–12 still impact our Christian faith not just on Easter but today?  
• According to Acts 1:1–3, how was Jesus preparing the Eleven during those 40 days? What was He preparing them for? 
• What makes Peter’s first sermon on Pentecost that’s found in Acts 2:1–32 still so impactful? 
• Why did Peter include Psalm 16:8 –11 in his sermon? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus to die for my sins. Thank You for raising Him from the dead on the third day! Help me to never take the message of good news for granted. Help me to keep Jesus’ sacrificial death and glorious resurrection at the center of my life.” 

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• God Hears Her Podcast: Understanding Easter  
• Our Daily Bread Ministries Publishing  

Listen: 

• Cross Stations - Week 1  
• Cross Stations - Week 2  

Read: 

• What Is the Easter Event?  
• Hunting for Resurrection Hope  

Watch: 

• Alive and Reconciled | Ephesians 2:16  
• The Empty Tomb - Matthew 28:6  

A covenant is a type of contractual agreement we see in Scripture. The covenants God has made with humanity are significant benchmarks in the Scriptures. Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Davidic, and the New Covenant all serve as critical moments when God has demonstrated his grace and mercy to humanity. But they aren’t the only covenants or contracts we find in Scripture or in many churches. There are also the Unspoken Contracts that people have made with God. Though God never agreed to them, many of us hold him to them anyway. This series will explore the Unspoken Contracts we find many mistakenly make in the Bible and how we can identify them and replace them with the Spoken Covenants that we should actually build our faith upon.

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Throughout the Bible, we see God making covenants with His people from Adam, Noah, Abraham, David, to the New Covenant through Jesus. But those aren’t the only covenants, or contracts, we find in Scripture or in many churches today.  

There are also unspoken contracts that people, including us, have made with God. Though God never agreed to them, many of us try to hold Him to them anyway. We expect God to work in a specific way. 

If we have unspoken contracts with God, it’s good to identify them and replace them with God’s promises in the Bible. 

Reflect  

• Why was God’s contract/covenant with Abram in Genesis 15:1–10 particularly notable?  
• What unspoken contract did Abram and Sarai try to hold God to in Genesis 16:3–6? What was the result?  
• Based on Moses’ complaint in Exodus 5:3–9, what unspoken contract did he mistakenly have with God? 
• Throughout the book of Job, what are some of the unspoken contracts his friends believed about why he was suffering? 
• What is the unspoken contract driving Martha in Luke 10:38–42?  
• How was Martha able to tear up her unspoken contract and embrace Jesus’ spoken contract in John 11:20–27?   
• What was Peter’s unspoken contract in Matthew 26:31–35 and Matthew 26:69–75? 
• Based on 1 Peter 5:5–6, what did Peter replace his unspoken contract with later in life?  

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Dear God, thank You for Your love and patience as I recognize and replace the unspoken contracts I may have in my life. Help me identify where I’m making assumptions about how You should act. Help me to replace those assumptions and expectations by trusting Your faithful promises in the Bible.” 

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Faith Under Construction podcast  

Listen: 

• Promise Keeper (with Shannon Popkin) on God Hears Her Podcast  
• Misunderstanding Martha  

Read: 

• God’s Faithfulness to His Promises 
• A Covenant Keeping God 
• Mary, Martha, and Jesus  

Watch: 

• Abraham & Waiting on God’s Promises  
• What Do We Desire of God? (Matthew 5–7)

One proclamation announces availability to and for God: Here am I – or Here I am! From Abraham to Moses to Samuel to Isaiah and eventually to Jesus Himself, those obedient to God’s call say so – with this declaration. How does Jesus Himself provide insight into such a response – when in Revelation 3 He proclaims Here I Am to the church? What does it mean for each – and what can it mean when we utter this proclamation today?

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A simple, yet profound proclamation announces availability to and for God: Here am I or Here I am! From Abraham to Moses to Samuel to Isaiah and eventually to Jesus Himself, those obedient to God’s call say so with this declaration. And they get to see how God provides for their needs when they answer His call. 

The responses from these Bible figures can be examples of how we can respond when we feel God calling us. 

Instead of running or hiding from God, let’s prayerfully and boldly respond to God with our own Here I am!  

Reflect  

• What was God’s purpose in this exchange with Abraham in Genesis 22:1–18?  
• How does God respond to Jacob’s fear in Genesis 46:1–7? 
• In Exodus 3:1–10, why did Moses respond the way he did? How did God respond to Moses?  
• Why was it difficult for young Samuel to recognize it was God calling him in 1 Samuel 3:1–21?  
• Based on Isaiah 6:1–8, how was Isaiah able to go from, “Woe to me,” to “Here am I?”  
• How does Jesus’ “Here am I” in Revelation 3:20 influence our own “Here I am?” 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Dear God, thank You for calling me to follow and serve You! Help me to have the courage to say, “Here I am,” whenever I hear you calling me. Help me to remember that You will help and equip me to answer Your call on my life.” 

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Our Daily Bread subscription 

Listen: 

• Answer the Call  
• Changing Your Life for the Call of God with Dr. Bridget Kolade  

Read: 

• Called by God  
• When God Calls Us Out of Comfort   

Watch: 

• Outside Your Comfort Zone | Acts 10  
• A Call to Something New | Matthew 4:19-22 

For those who often feel forgotten, it is good to be reminded that our God doesn’t forget us. In this brief topical study, we consider three people in the Bible who called out to God that He remember them, and we see what He did in response to their cry.

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If you ever struggle with feeling forgotten, it’s good to remember that our God doesn’t forget us. God has promised to never leave or forsake us.  

As we consider three people in the Bible who called out to God and we see that He remembered them, we get a beautiful picture of how God hears our cries and remembers us. 

How could trusting that God hasn’t forgotten you help you, especially in your times of trials? 

Reflect  

• How does Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel 1 comfort you knowing that God remembers you even in your pain, sorrow, and heartache? 
• How does Samson’s story found in Judges 16 encourage you that God remembers you even in your times of weakness and failure? 
• How does the story of the thief on the cross in Luke 23 encourage you that Jesus remembered you when He was on the cross? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Dear God, thank You that You always remember me and never forget me! Help me to trust that You are always with me. Help me to know You are near no matter what trials I’m facing.” 

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Discover the Word Podcast Archive 

Listen: 

• In God's Presence  
• Are You There God? (with Sally Lloyd Jones) on God Hears Her Podcast  
• The Rebel Next to Jesus  

Read: 

• Where Is God When I feel lonely? 
• Answered Prayer | Hannah  
• When You Pray and God Doesn’t Answer: 4 Simple Things to Practice  

Watch: 

• Where Is God? - Psalm 25:6   
• Let's Talk About Prayer  

Traditionally, the Old Testament book of Ruth has been viewed as a love story. But in this series of 12 conversations with author Carolyn Custis James, Mart DeHaan and Elisa Morgan discover that this story of Naomi and Ruth and Boaz is not all about romance. It’s about God’s ability to make much of broken lives, and how he calls men and women to serve together to build His kingdom.

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When Naomi’s world fell apart, she may have felt that she had lost God’s “hesed,” or His sacrificial, costly, voluntary love. But God used Ruth and Boaz to show Naomi He had not abandoned her. Bolstered by God’s hesed love, Naomi can then pour out that love on Ruth, Boaz, and her grandson.  

As we ponder the blessed alliance between Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz, we see how God provided and protected this humble family that was in the lineage of King David and His Son Jesus. We also get a beautiful picture of how God wants His daughters and sons to work together to build His kingdom on earth. 

Reflect  

• How did Ruth “break the rules” to show God’s hesed love to Naomi in Ruth 1:22–2:7? 
• How did Boaz join Ruth in “breaking the rules” in Ruth 2:4–17? What do we learn about Boaz’ character and about the power of men and women working together to serve God? 
• How can we see God’s fingerprints in Naomi’s life based on Ruth 1:6, Ruth 1:20 and Ruth 2:17–23? 
• How do we see God at work in the lives of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz in Ruth 3:1–13? 
• Based on Ruth 3:1, Ruth 3:5–13 and Ruth 4:13–22,  how does Ruth’s story embolden you to step out, take responsibility for needs you see, and live more courageously for Jesus? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Dear God, thank You that You are always at work in my life. Help me to look for Your fingerprints in every season of my life. Help me to live boldly for Jesus and to share Your hesed love with others.”  

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• The Gospel of Ruth   

Listen: 

• God Is At Work—The Story of Ruth Part 2—A “Chance” Meeting  
• God Is At Work Part 3—A Strange Proposal  
• God Is At Work—The Story of Ruth Part 4—The Providence of God 

Read: 

• Transformed by Love  
• Keep Yourselves in the Love of God  

 Watch: 

• God Loves YOU!   
• God's Daily Love