Is Psalm 128 giving prosperity gospel? In today’s episode, Lauren Atkinson and Watermark high school student Olivia Tristan talk about what it means to experience God’s blessing in our lives. These blessings are not the things we receive from God because of our own good works, but the results of the Holy Spirit changing the desires of our heart. 
 
 Additional Scripture Referenced:
 Galatians 5:22-25, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law…”
 
 Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g
 
 Got kids? Check out the Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM
 
 You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: 
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898

Is hard work a waste? In today’s episode Emma Dotter and Watermark staff member Mandy Bagdanoff discuss what it means to put the Lord at the center of our life and labor. Our labor is in vain if the Lord is not the sole focus of our work.
 
 Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g
 
 Got kids? Check out the NEW Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM
 
 You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: 
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898

God is a God who appreciates laughter and joy. Faithful Watermark member, Mary Anne Smiley joins Emma Dotter to talk about how she has personally connected with verse 5, "Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!"
 
 Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g
 
 Got kids? Check out the Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM
 
 You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: 
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898

What is the scepter of wickedness? In today’s episode, Join the Journey staff member Lauren Atkinson and faithful Watermark member Bill Aiken dive into Psalm 125 and discuss how in the Old Testament, staffs were symbols of power and leaders used them to lead the people of Israel. Bill then ties this symbol of power to the greater leader and perfect King, Jesus Christ. 
 
 Additional Scripture referenced:
 Mark 12:30, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
 
 Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g
 
 Got kids? Check out the NEW Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM
 
 You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: 
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898

Emma Dotter shares that this Psalm shows us that David deeply understood that God was on his side. He put these truths in practice by reminding all of Israel that God does play a critical role in our lives despite undesirable circumstances we might live through and to remember who our God is.
 
 Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g
 
 Got kids? Check out the Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM
 
 You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: 
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898

Where are your eyes fixed? Are they on the Lord? Today Watermark student Chapman Penuel joins Emma Dotter to teach us about what it means to look at Christ and look away from things of the world. The Psalmist’s message in this passage points us to His greater return and triumph in Christ’s return. His ultimate mercy is our greatest reward and blessing.
 
 Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g
 
 Got kids? Check out the Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM
 
 You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: 
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898

What is the significance of Jerusalem for believers today? Today Emma Dotter is joined by Watermark staff member Matt Farlow to discuss how we relate to the traditions of the ancient Israelites while not being steeped in the tradition of the Jewish faith today. Even though we don’t hold fast to Jewish traditions as Christians, we can look at them and understand how they were completed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
 
 Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g
 
 Got kids? Check out the Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM
 
 You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: 
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898

Where does our help come from? In today’s episode, Emma Dotter and faithful Watermark South Dallas member Jewel Blackwood cover Psalm 121 and discuss how David put his hope in God as his keeper and protector. Through Jesus, we have even more reason to hope because we always have God by our side living in us and protecting us. 
 
 Additional Scripture Referenced:
 1 Corinthians 3:16, “Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?”
 
 Interested in volunteering for the Fall Fun event in South Dallas? Check out the link below!
 https://www.watermark.org/southdallas#serve
 
 Interested in serving with Join the Journey? Check out the link below!
 https://www.watermark.org/search/serve?refinementList%5BOpportunity.suggested_for.title%5D%5B0%5D=First%20Serve&refinementList%5Bministries.title%5D%5B0%5D=Equipping 
 
 Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g
 
 Got kids? Check out the Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM
 
 You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: 
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898

As believers we can read these psalms of ascent and be reminded of God's presence and His faithfulness. Today, Lauren Atkinson encourages us as she shares that we find our home in Christ and He is the justifier of those who are found in him.
 
 Additional scripture mentioned in today's episode:
 Jeremiah 29; Seek the peace
 Romans 12; Live peaceably with all
 Hebrews 11; They desire a better country
 
 
 Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g
 
 Got kids? Check out the NEW Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM
 
 You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: 
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898

How does the law of the Old Testament apply to our lives today? In today’s episode covering Psalm 119:89-176, Lauren Atkinson and Watermark staff member Ben Krejci talk about delighting in the law of the Lord and how it shows us both God’s character and our need for Him. 
 
 Additional Scripture Referenced:
 Psalm 1, Delighting in God’s law
 Psalm 13:1-2, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?”
 
 Check out Ben’s previous episode!
 https://open.spotify.com/episode/1vH8LhhJOIzxiu5ujbEBm0?si=07cd8c3cc0a54713 
 
 Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g
 
 Got kids? Check out the NEW Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM
 
 You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: 
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898