First Fifteen

What is the greatest teaching of God?  Which one matters more than any other?  That’s a great question, and we’re going to get Jesus’ answer today in Matthew 22. 
 
If you are getting started in a relationship with God, trying to have a quiet time or seeking guidance at this point in your life, you're in the right place.

Spend your first fifteen minutes of the day listening to God and responding in a personal way.  This podcast will show you how and teach you in an easy to follow process.

In fifteen minutes (or less) you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day.  What a perfect way to get started!

The featured scripture in this episode is Matt 22:34-40.  Jesus continues teaching in the temple courts in Jerusalem during the week leading up to Passover.  Besides the priests and elders, he has also been challenged by the Pharisees and Saducees who are trying to catch him in a trap.  They are asking hard questions of him and hoping he will misspeak and get himself into trouble. Today one of the Pharisees asks him which is the most important commandment in God's law.  Jesus gives him the two most important commands of all.

Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word.  You can also watch this as a video podcast on Youtube at the Word of Prayer channel

Get a copy of  Book 4:  Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel - Book 4 on Amazon (or ebook)

Download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen.

Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.com

Support the show

What does obedience look like to God?  In our podcast we emphasize listening to God's word, reflecting on it and praying to God in the first fifteen minutes, and then equally important to obey or apply the word to the rest of our day.  Jesus' teaching today emphasizes that last step especially.

The featured scripture in this episode is Matt 21:28-32.  The leaders in Jerusalem are opposing Jesus and questioning his authority to teach, heal and to act like a prophet even though they lack the courage to answer his questions.  Jesus tells a parable about obedience to emphasize that obedience is not what we say with our mouth but what we do with our actions. 

Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word.  You can also watch this as a video podcast on Youtube at the Word of Prayer channel

Get a copy of  book 3 of Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel on Amazon (or ebook)

You can also plan ahead and get Book 4 (Matthew 22-28) as an Easter gift for someone or as a Lent devotional:  Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel - Book 4

Download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen. 

Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.com

Support the show

If you want to see what’s important to a person, watch what they will guard and protect.  If something is worth fighting for, it’s probably important to you.  Jesus takes action to guard the holiness of the temple and it's original purpose as a house of prayer devoted to worship of God.      

In fifteen minutes (or less) you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day.  What a perfect way to get started!

The featured scripture in this episode is Matt 21:12-22.  Jesus enters Jerusalem and heads to the temple where he chases out the moneychangers and those selling animals.  He chooses to restore the focus to prayer and worship of God, not commerce.  The blind and lame are healed and the children are praising Jesus, and that invites the reproach of the elders and priests who challenge Jesus' authority.  It's time to turn our attention back to God and dedicate ourselves to prayer and seeking his presence.  

Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word.  You can also watch this as a video podcast on Youtube at the Word of Prayer channel

Get a copy of  book 3 of Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel on Amazon (or ebook)

You can also plan ahead and get Book 4 (Matthew 22-28) as an Easter gift for someone or as a Lent devotional:  Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel - Book 4

Download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen. 

Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.com

Support the show

Matthew continually emphasized Jesus’ royal identity along with his unexpected behavior.  He doesn’t act like the despot Herod or the other kings of earth.  He is humble yet powerful, he heals and yet does not seek the spotlight, he teaches with authority but he is not boring or pompous. He sees the least important people, but the powerful and well-connected fail to see who Jesus really is.  We get to see more in Matthew 20.
 
In fifteen minutes (or less) you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day.  What a perfect way to get started!

The featured scripture in this episode is Matt 20:29-34.  Jesus is headed to Jerusalem. Leaving Jericho with a large crowd following, the first thing Jesus encounters is two blind men.  Despite their blindness, they're the ones who see Jesus for who he really is, and they ask for sight.  They gain it and get to follow Jesus up to Jerusalem, a city where darkness will reign before yielding to the true King.  

Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word.  You can also watch this as a video podcast on Youtube at the Word of Prayer channel

Get a copy of  book 3 of Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel on Amazon (or ebook)

You can also plan ahead and get Book 4 (Matthew 22-28) as an Easter gift for someone or as a Lent devotional:  Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel - Book 4

Download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen. 

Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.com

Support the show

What do you have to do to go to heaven?  Do you know what the Bible says in answer that question?  Jesus is asked what good thing will gain a person eternal life.  That’s the question we’re asking today in Matthew 19.
 
In fifteen minutes (or less) you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day.  What a perfect way to get started!

The featured scripture in this episode is Matt 19:16-30.  A rich young man asks Jesus what he must do to receive eternal life and Jesus tells him to obey all of God's commandments.  The young man claims he does obey all God's commands, so Jesus tells him to sell all he owns, give it to the poor, then come follow Jesus.  The young man refuses and goes away sad.  Peter asks what kind of reward will he and the disciples receive for their sacrifices?  Jesus promises them they will have more than they can imagine.  What is first place in your heart?

Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word.  You can also watch this as a video podcast on Youtube at the Word of Prayer channel

Get a copy of  book 3 of Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel on Amazon (or ebook)

You can also plan ahead and get Book 4 (Matthew 22-28) as an Easter gift for someone or as a Lent devotional:  Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel - Book 4

Download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen. 

Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.com

Support the show

What do you do when someone has wronged you?  Not a minor offense, but they have sinned against you?  That’s the question we’re asking today in Matthew 18. 

In fifteen minutes (or less) you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day.  What a perfect way to get started!

The featured scripture in this episode is Matt 18:21-35.  Peter asks Jesus about forgiveness and ventures a generous amount of forgiveness.  Is it enough, Jesus?  He answers the question then tells a parable that paints the incredible contrast between what we have been forgiven and what we are called to forgive.

Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word.  You can also watch this as a video podcast on Youtube at the Word of Prayer channel

Get a copy of  book 3 of Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel on Amazon (or ebook)

You can also plan ahead and get Book 4 (Matthew 22-28) as an Easter gift for someone or as a Lent devotional:  Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel - Book 4

Download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen. 

Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.com

Support the show

Catch a glimpse of who Jesus really is and how the Father sees him in today's reading.  God gives a special vision of his son and also two of Israel's greatest prophets on a high mountain.  The enormity of what Jesus reveals overwhelms his closest disciples.

Spend your first fifteen minutes of the day listening to God and responding in a personal way.  This podcast will show you how and teach you in an easy to follow process.

In fifteen minutes (or less) you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day.  What a perfect way to get started!

The featured scripture in this episode is Matt 17:1-13.  Jesus takes Peter, James and John up on a high mountain where he reveals his glory.  They also see him conversing with Moses and Elijah.  God the Father speaks:  listen to my Son!  

Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word.  You can also watch this as a video podcast on Youtube at the Word of Prayer channel

Get a copy of  book 3 of Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel on Amazon (or ebook)

You can also plan ahead and get Book 4 (Matthew 22-28) as an Easter gift for someone or as a Lent devotional:  Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel - Book 4

Download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen. 

Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.com

Support the show

It is a basic but crucial question:  Who is Jesus?  Jesus himself asked it of his disciples in order to stretch them to step out and commit to what they saw in Jesus' life and work.  It is not an academic question; it's one we have to answer as well.

Spend your first fifteen minutes of the day listening to God and responding in a personal way.  This podcast will show you how and teach you in an easy to follow process.

In fifteen minutes (or less) you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day.  What a perfect way to get started!

The featured scripture in this episode is Matt 16:1-13.  Jesus takes his disciples to the far north of Galilee to the Greek city of Caesarea Philipppi with its pagan shrine complex.  There he asks the disciples what they've heard about Jesus.  Then he asks them a central question:  Who do *they* say he is?  Find out the answer on today's episode. 

Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word.  You can also watch this as a video podcast on Youtube at the Word of Prayer channel

Get a copy of  book 3 of Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel on Amazon (or ebook)

You can also plan ahead and get Book 4 (Matthew 22-28) as an Easter gift for someone or as a Lent devotional:  Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel - Book 4

Download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen. 

Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.com

Support the show

Are you hungry for God?  Is it hard to hear God when you're full?  Jesus takes the initiative to not just heal and teach but also to feed a large crowd near Lake Galilee.  He gives them more than enough and reminds us--we will always be hungry until we let God feed us.

Spend your first fifteen minutes of the day listening to God and responding in a personal way.  This podcast will show you how and teach you in an easy to follow process.

In fifteen minutes (or less) you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day.  What a perfect way to get started!

The featured scripture in this episode is Matt 14:22-36.  Jesus has fed 5,000 plus people, and he spent most of the night in prayer.  Now he goes to his disciples by walking on the water and soon enough, his disciple Simon Peter wants to join him out on the water.  He gets out of the boat and actually walks on the water!   After a moment he gets scared and starts to doubt and then he starts to sink.  Faith can stumble at times.  Fix your eyes on Jesus if you want to see the impossible happen. 

Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word.  You can also watch this as a video podcast on Youtube at the Word of Prayer channel

Get a copy of  book 3 of Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel on Amazon (or ebook)

You can also plan ahead and get Book 4 (Matthew 22-28) as an Easter gift for someone or as a Lent devotional:  Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel - Book 4

Download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen. 

Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.com

Support the show

Have you ever been surprised by a discovery you made on a trip far from home?  Jesus is amazed by what he discovers when he takes his followers to Phoenicia.

Spend your first fifteen minutes of the day listening to God and responding in a personal way.  This podcast will show you how and teach you in an easy to follow process.

In fifteen minutes (or less) you will listen to God's word for you, reflect on it and learn to pray to God as well as carry that word with you through the rest of your day.  What a perfect way to get started!

The featured scripture in this episode is Matt 14:22-36.  Jesus has fed 5,000 plus people, and he spent most of the night in prayer.  Now he goes to his disciples by walking on the water and soon enough, his disciple Simon Peter wants to join him out on the water.  He gets out of the boat and actually walks on the water!   After a moment he gets scared and starts to doubt and then he starts to sink.  Faith can stumble at times.  Fix your eyes on Jesus if you want to see the impossible happen. 

Go ahead and get started listening and follow/subscribe to this podcast to hear more from God's word.  You can also watch this as a video podcast on Youtube at the Word of Prayer channel

Get a copy of  book 3 of Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel on Amazon (or ebook)

You can also plan ahead and get Book 4 (Matthew 22-28) as an Easter gift for someone or as a Lent devotional:  Journey with Jesus: Praying Your Way through Matthew's Gospel - Book 4

Download the helpsheet that details and demonstrates the four step process we use on First Fifteen. 

Additional resources at the Word of Prayer website https://word-of-prayer.com

Support the show