Joy in the AM

☀️ Leading When No One Else Will | Deborah | The Next Holy Thing Series | Episode 5Have you ever known what the right thing to do was, but struggled to find the courage to actually do it?Maybe you've been placed in a situation where someone needs to speak up, make a difficult decision, or take the first step. Maybe you're carrying responsibilities that nobody sees, wondering whether your faithfulness is making any difference.In today's episode of Joy in the AM, we're continuing The Next Holy Thing series by opening Judges 4–5 and looking at the story of Deborah—a prophetess and judge who served God's people during a difficult season in Israel's history.When we first meet Deborah, she's not standing on a battlefield. She's sitting beneath a palm tree, where the Israelites come to her for judgment.But when God gives a command through Deborah, she faithfully delivers His message. And as the story unfolds, we see that the victory doesn't come from Deborah, Barak, or their strength. The Lord is the One who delivers His people.I'm also sharing some personal reflections about leadership, finding the courage to speak when it's difficult, and learning to serve faithfully in the responsibilities God has already placed in front of me.Together, we'll talk about:🌿 What Deborah's story teaches us about leadership and courage🤍 Why everyday faithfulness matters, even when nobody notices☀️ How to speak the truth with both courage and kindness🙌 Why leadership should point people toward God rather than ourselves📖 What Deborah and Barak's response to God's deliverance teaches us about worship✝️ How the book of Judges points us to our need for Jesus, the Savior who brings lasting deliveranceOne truth I hope you remember today:You don't have to wait for a bigger opportunity to be faithful with what God has placed in front of you.Sometimes the next holy thing is speaking up when it's uncomfortable. Sometimes it's making a difficult decision with wisdom. And sometimes it's simply showing up and serving faithfully where you already are.And through it all, our goal isn't to make a name for ourselves. It's to point people back to the Lord.So grab your coffee, open your Bible, and let's begin this week with Jesus. ☕🤍📖 SCRIPTURE REFERENCESJudges 4–5John 1:1–14Ephesians 2:8–10Romans 10:9–10📓 FREE EPISODE 5 REFLECTION JOURNALhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1hS9_xyP4cjyr7FUrfPX4t3ZxcVT1e_RO/view?usp=drivesdkThis companion journal includes Scripture readings, nine discussion and reflection questions, sample responses, and plenty of space to spend time with God throughout the week.Whether you're reflecting on your own or studying Scripture with a friend or small group, I pray this resource helps you dig deeper into God's Word.🎧 LISTEN TO JOY IN THE AMSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DhTs1lsbgnHpnOw94DAxWYouTube: https://youtube.com/@joyintheampodcast📱 CONNECT WITH MEInstagram: https://instagram.com/joyintheampodcastTikTok: @joyintheampodcastYouTube: https://youtube.com/@joyintheampodcastCome say hi, share what God is teaching you, and follow along for more encouragement throughout the week! 🤍☀️If this episode encouraged you, consider liking, subscribing, and sharing it with someone who might need this reminder today.And I'd love to hear from you in the comments:Where is God calling you to be courageous and faithful right now?Remember, His mercies are new every morning. ☀️#JoyInTheAM #TheNextHolyThing #DeborahBibleStory #ChristianPodcast #FaithfulLeadership

☀️ Miriam: From the Reeds to the Sea | The Next Holy Thing Series | Episode 4Have you ever wondered whether the little things you're doing for God actually matter?Maybe you're serving behind the scenes, caring for your family, showing up for others, or simply trying to be faithful in a season that feels ordinary. Nobody's applauding. Nobody's noticing. And sometimes, you wonder whether any of it is making a difference.In today's episode of Joy in the AM, we're continuing The Next Holy Thing series by opening the book of Exodus and looking at the story of Miriam—a woman whose story begins beside the Nile River and later takes us to the shores of the Red Sea.Before Miriam was leading the women of Israel in worship, we see Moses' sister standing near the reeds, watching over her baby brother and courageously stepping forward when an opportunity arose.Her story reminds us that faithfulness doesn't begin when someone hands us a title, a microphone, or a platform.And it doesn't become more valuable when people finally notice.I'm also sharing what God has been teaching me through my own experiences in ministry, motherhood, teaching, and the everyday responsibilities of life. Because sometimes the most meaningful opportunities to serve the Lord are the ones right in front of us.Together, we'll talk about:🌿 What Miriam's story teaches us about courage and faithfulness🤍 Why serving God doesn't require a title or a platform☀️ How to recognize the opportunities God has already placed in front of us🙌 Why worship and ministry should always point people back to Jesus🌊 What Miriam's mistakes and restoration teach us about God's mercy✝️ How the deliverance of Israel ultimately points us to the greater Deliverer, Jesus ChristOne truth I hope you remember today:Faithfulness isn't a stepping stone to something more important. Faithfulness to God is important right where we are.You don't have to wait for a bigger opportunity, a different season, or more recognition to serve the Lord.Look at what's already in your hands.Do the next faithful thing. Do the next holy thing. 🤍So grab your coffee, open your Bible, and let's begin this week with Jesus. ☕☀️📖 SCRIPTURE REFERENCESExodus 1–2Exodus 12Exodus 14–15Numbers 12Numbers 20:1Micah 6:4Hebrews 3Revelation 15📓 FREE EPISODE 4 REFLECTION JOURNALhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1mxoZJ9ovgbsaNpXi9qCF8wEdlO8P-qmJ/view?usp=drivesdkThis companion journal includes Scripture readings, reflection questions, sample responses, and space to spend time with God throughout the week.🎧 LISTEN TO JOY IN THE AMSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DhTs1lsbgnHpnOw94DAxWYouTube: https://youtube.com/@joyintheampodcast📱 CONNECT WITH MEInstagram: https://instagram.com/joyintheampodcastTikTok: @joyintheampodcastYouTube: https://youtube.com/@joyintheampodcastCome say hi, share what God is teaching you, and follow along for more encouragement throughout the week! 🤍☀️If this episode encouraged you, consider liking, subscribing, and sharing it with someone who might need this reminder today.And I'd love to hear from you in the comments:What's one ordinary responsibility or opportunity where God is calling you to be faithful right now?Remember, His mercies are new every morning. ☀️#JoyInTheAM #TheNextHolyThing #MiriamBibleStory #Faithfulness #ChristianPodcast

☀️ Sarah Waited, God Was Working | The Next Holy Thing Series | Episode 3Have you ever prayed for something for so long that you started wondering whether God was listening?Maybe you're waiting for an answered prayer, healing in a relationship, clarity about your future, or something you've quietly carried in your heart for years.In today's episode of Joy in the AM, we're continuing The Next Holy Thing series by opening Genesis and looking at the story of Sarah—a woman who waited years for God to fulfill His promise.But Sarah's story wasn't a story of perfect faith. She struggled, questioned, laughed, and even tried to take matters into her own hands. Yet God's faithfulness remained unchanged.I'm also sharing a deeply personal part of my own story: my husband's and my journey through infertility, the questions I wrestled with, and what God has taught me about finding my worth in Him rather than in my circumstances.Together, we'll talk about:🌿 What Sarah's story teaches us about waiting on God🤍 Why struggling with doubt doesn't mean God has abandoned us☀️ How to remain faithful in the middle of an unfinished story🌷 Why our worth isn't determined by the outcomes we're praying for✝️ How Sarah's story ultimately points us to JesusOne truth I hope you remember today:You don't have to know how your story ends to trust the One who holds it.God's faithfulness isn't measured by whether we receive the outcome we hoped for. His character remains the same, even when our circumstances don't change.So grab your coffee, open your Bible, and let's begin this week with Jesus. ☕🤍📖 SCRIPTURE REFERENCESGenesis 11–12, 16–18, 21Hebrews 11:11Romans 4:18–21Galatians 4Luke 1:37📓 FREE EPISODE 3 REFLECTION JOURNALhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1pXYVXE8GKRnlNPe38mc3G7judji7bGaP/view?usp=drivesdkThis companion journal includes Scripture readings, reflection questions, sample responses, and space to spend time with God throughout the week.🎧 LISTEN TO JOY IN THE AMSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DhTs1lsbgnHpnOw94DAxWYouTube: https://youtube.com/@joyintheampodcast📱 CONNECT WITH MEInstagram: https://instagram.com/joyintheampodcastTikTok: @joyintheampodcastYouTube: https://youtube.com/@joyintheampodcastCome say hi, share what God is teaching you, and follow along for more encouragement throughout the week! 🤍☀️If this episode encouraged you, consider liking, subscribing, and sharing it with someone who might need this reminder today.And I'd love to hear from you in the comments:What has God been teaching you in your season of waiting?Remember, His mercies are new every morning. ☀️#JoyInTheAM #TheNextHolyThing #WaitingOnGod #GodIsFaithful #ChristianPodcast

Eve's Story, God's Pursuit | The Next Holy Thing (Ep. 2)

What if Eve's story isn't just about a woman who disobeyed God, but about a God who pursued her anyway?

In this episode of Joy in the AM, we're continuing our Next Holy Thing series by going back to the very beginning: Genesis 1–3.

Together, we'll explore Eve's creation and calling, the serpent's deception, and the incredible promise of redemption found in the middle of humanity's fall.

We'll look at the importance of knowing God's Word, recognizing the enemy's lies, trusting God's goodness, and faithfully stewarding what He's already placed in our hands.

And most importantly, we'll see how Eve's story ultimately points us to Jesus.

Whether you're getting ready for work, driving to school, or enjoying a quiet morning with your Bible and coffee, I pray this conversation encourages you to begin your week rooted in God's truth.

Scripture: Genesis 1–3; Psalm 121:1–2; Matthew 4:1–11; 1 Corinthians 15:21–22; Romans 5:19; Psalm 119:11; Romans 8:31–32; 1 Corinthians 4:2.

Reflect this week: What has God placed in your hands that He's asking you to steward faithfully?

New episodes every Monday at 6 AM ET.

Joy in the AM — Because His mercies are new every morning. ☀️🤍

☀️ Welcome to Joy in the AM!

I’m Kemily Santiago, and I’m so glad you’re here. Joy in the AM is a space where we begin every week with Jesus—opening God’s Word, remembering His faithfulness, and finding our joy not in our circumstances, but in our salvation through Jesus Christ.

In our very first episode, “The Next Holy Thing,” I’m sharing a little bit of my story, how Joy in the AM came to be, and the simple phrase that God has used to challenge me in this season:

Do the next holy thing.

Sometimes we become so focused on figuring out the entire plan that we miss the act of obedience God has placed right in front of us. You don’t have to have the next ten steps figured out. You don’t have to do something impressive. You simply have to be faithful with what God has placed in front of you today. 

This episode also kicks off our first Joy in the AM series, The Next Holy Thing, where we’ll walk through the stories of women in Scripture and look at what God placed in front of them, how they responded, and how their stories ultimately point us back to Jesus. 

☕ Grab your coffee.
📖 Open your Bible.
☀️ And let’s start this week with Jesus.

Because His mercies are new every morning.

✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
• Meet your host, Kemily Santiago
• The story behind Joy in the AM
• What it means to “do the next holy thing”
• Choosing obedience over having everything figured out
• An introduction to our first series

📖 SCRIPTURE MENTIONED:
Psalm 30:5
Lamentations 3:22–23
Nehemiah 8:10

💛 If this episode encouraged you, subscribe, leave a comment, and share it with someone who could use a little hope as they begin their week.

New episodes every Monday morning.

Until next Monday, keep your eyes on Jesus, walk in His joy, and remember—because His mercies are new every morning, every new day is another opportunity to experience His faithfulness.

☀️ Joy in the AM with Kemily Santiago

#JoyInTheAM #ChristianPodcast #ChristianWomen #BibleStudy #Faith #Jesus #ChristianEncouragement