‘F1® The Movie’ is a visually stunning and pulse-pounding racing film, but it comes with more than a few bumps in the 

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In this episode of Pray the Word on Jeremiah 43:8, David Platt reminds us what it means to be sensitive to God's voice through His Word.

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Episode Summary

What do you do when you feel utterly alone—abandoned by friends, misunderstood by your own people, and left to stand for God without support?

In topday's episode, we walk through the stormy events of Judges 15 and the life of Samson: a man set apart by God, empowered by the Spirit, and yet isolated in his calling. From betrayal to supernatural victory, Samson’s story challenges us to consider the cost—and the reward—of radical faithfulness.

We explore how spiritual compromise can infect God's people, and how the courage to stand alone—like Samson, Luther, and Athanasius—can shape the future of the Church.

If you’ve ever felt abandoned, alone in your convictions, or pressured to conform, this episode is for you.

Key Themes

• The Cost of Faithfulness: What it means to stand for truth when no one else will
• Spiritual Compromise: How Judah’s betrayal of Samson reflects the church’s modern dangers
• Holy Spirit Empowerment: Samson’s strength wasn’t in his muscles—but in God’s presence
• The Power of One: From Athanasius to Luther, history turns on the courage of solitary saints

Takeaway Questions

• Have you ever felt called to stand when no one else would join you?
• Where might you be tempted to compromise instead of confront?
• What would it look like to depend more on the Holy Spirit than on approval from others?

 This week, ask God: Where are You calling me to stand—alone if necessary?
Then pray for strength, humility, and clarity to do just that. 

Support the show

To listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com

For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|Patreon

Support me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.
https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

In this keynote message from TGC’s 2009 National Conference, John Piper unpacks 2 Timothy 1:1–12 with a powerful call to “fan into flame” the gift of God, urging believers to live with courage, love, and self-control. He highlights the role of grace and the Word in strengthening us to speak and suffer for the gospel without fear or shame. Drawing from Paul’s example and Timothy’s sincere faith, Piper encourages pastors to feed the flame of God’s calling through deep dependence on God’s power and purpose.

Pastor JP Pokluda is back and today he officially joins the Hall of Fun! This is his 5th time on the show and we are so grateful he’s always willing to show up here and drop some wisdom.

The question we’re diving into today is, “Is this Spiritual warfare or am I just tired?” JP’s latest book, Your Story Has a Villain, is an incredible book helping us navigate the reality of spiritual warfare, and learn how to fight back. 

If you’re following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we’re on page 75. You can purchase our guidebook at anniefdowns.com/seasons.

If you enjoyed this episode, I think you’ll also enjoy: Experiencing Jesus, Lingering in Prayer, and Finding Refuge in God with John Eldredge- Episode 964

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NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends.

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Inspired by Judy Blume’s novel, Netflix’s Forever is a story about teen romance, but one that I certainly wouldn’t want my own teenager watching.

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In this episode of Pray the Word on Jeremiah 38:6, David Platt leads us in prayer for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world.

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Welcome

Thanks for pressing play! In today’s journey through Judges we meet Samson—the gifted judge who could tear lions to shreds, yet couldn’t rein in his own appetite. His life is a walking paradox: Spirit-empowered, vow-bound … and willfully compromised. 

The big question we’re chasing: How can a holy God work through people who are anything but holy? If you’ve ever felt the tension between your calling and your failures, Samson’s story is your mirror—and your hope.

Episode Notes


1. Three Snapshot Scenes

1. **The Woman (vv. 1-4)** 
   “She is right in my eyes.” – Samson 
   • Impulse over covenant 
   • Echo of the book’s theme: *“Everyone did what was right in his own eyes”* (Judg 21:25).

2. **The Lion (vv. 5-9)** 
   • Spirit-given strength vs. self-given silence 
   • Touches a carcass twice, quietly breaking his Nazirite vow.

3. **The Riddle (vv. 10-12)** 
   • A seven-day drinking feast among Philistines 
   • “Out of the eater came something to eat…”—turning sin’s secrecy into gambling capital.

2. Big Truths to Chew On

| Truth | Why It Matters |

| God’s sovereignty bends even sinful choices into redemptive purposes (v. 4). | Your failures don’t write the final chapter. |
| Charisma without character caves in. | Spiritual gifting ≠ spiritual maturity. |
| “Right in my eyes” is the default of a leaderless heart. | We all need a better King than ourselves. |

3. Reflection Questions

1. Where do you rely on gifting while neglecting character? 
2. Which appetites currently drive your “sight-based” decisions? 
3. How have you seen God redeem a bad choice you made? 
4. In what area do you need to swap *“right in my eyes”* for *“right in God’s eyes”* this week?

### 4. Practice This Week

• 30-Minute Audit:** List recent decisions. Mark each *S* (sight) or *F* (faith). Pray over the *S’s.* 
• Honey Fast:** Skip your go-to comfort snack/beverage for three days. Each craving = a cue to pray, “Lord, master my appetites.” 
• Accountability Text:** Ask a trusted friend, “What blind-spot do you see in me that I justify as ‘right in my eyes’?”


6. Resources & Links

Karl Barth, *Church Dogmatics* IV/1, p. 209 – on God’s use of human sin for divine purpose 

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## Stay Connected

• Jeremy McCandless | Substack  Subscribe for the written companion essays.  


Rate & review if this episode gave you fresh hope. See you next week when we watch Samson’s riddle explode—and trace the fallout to God’s bigger rescue plan.

*Grace outmuscles failure—always.*

Support the show

To listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com

For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|Patreon

Support me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.
https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Nothing fires up the End Times industry faster than America dropping bombs in the Middle East. After President Trump decided to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities this weekend, YouTube was flooded with convoluted and contradictory videos on the biblical implications of the war. But if this really is a prelude to Christ’s return, as many online end timers claim, why are they stoking panic and fear? Shouldn’t Christians welcome this news? Skye talks to Senator Chris Coons about how his faith informs his politics, why he went to divinity school, and what the Democrats can do to close the “God gap” in politics. Also this week—courts struck down the Louisiana law requiring the 10 Commandments to be posted in every public school classroom, and the real origin of “honky dory.”

Holy Post Plus:

Ad-Free Version of this Episode:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/132203951/edit

0:00 - Show Starts

3:16 - Theme Song

3:40 - Sponsor - Policy Genius - Secure your family’s tomorrow so you have peace of mind today. Go to https://www.policygenius.com/HOLYPOST to find the right life insurance for you

4:53 - Sponsor - Sundays Dog Food - Get 40% off your first order of Sundays. Go to https://www.SundaysForDogs.com/HOLYPOST or use code HOLYPOST at checkout.

7:11 - Protesting While in Red States

16:07 - End Times Prophecies and Iran

22:30 - Mark Driscoll and the Manosphere

26:26 - Louisiana and the 10 Commandments

37:44 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month

38:52 - Sponsor - Our Place - Go to https://www.fromourplace.com and use code HOLYPOST to get 10% off site wide on beautiful cookware!

40:02 - Interview

42:36 - US Involvement in the Middle East

50:20 - Divinity School and Public Service

57:37 - The God Gap

1:08:35 - End Credits

Links from News Segment:

Russell Moore on Why We Shouldn’t Look for End Time Implications:

https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/06/bible-prophecy-war-iran-apocalypse-russell-moore/?utm_medium=widgetsocial

Louisiana Ten Commandments Law:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/20/us/politics/louisianas-ten-commandments-law-appeals-court-unconstitutional.html?searchResultPosition=17

Vox’s Article on the “New Religious Right”

https://www.vox.com/politics/416042/religion-politics-trump-christian-nationalism-liberty-maga

Other Resources:

Read the Introduction to Skye’s new book and sign up to Holy Post Plus to follow along as the book is written: holypost.com/book

Holy Post website:

Teens are taking “nonchalance” to new extremes, desperately trying to learn how to not try at all.

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