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Episode Summary:

Christians often think theology is only for scholars or the spiritually elite. But this simply isn’t true. While theology is, in one sense, an academic discipline, it can also be understood as the art of knowing our creator. God invites us to know him, as we are fully known by him.

 

Theology goes beyond the study of the character of God, and into the art of knowing the One who already knows and intimately loves His believers. Flash Theology leads readers through thirty-one bite-size truths, highlighting key aspects of who God is and what that means for the reader. 

Theology is important for everyone, but if it’s too dense, it can be hard to digest. Today we’re going to talk about biblical literacy and why it’s important to learn who God is.

 

Quotables from the episode:

• We all carry a theological bias. So, we all enter into a variety of conversations and our own circumstances within our life, carrying a bias towards who we think God is. And that is based on a whole bunch of different things, how we are raised, different things you hear over time, the media you consume, the church you attend, all these different facets of how we view God and the way we absorb information can help us view God biblically or not biblically at all.
• I believe the Westernized church and social media has created a self-help gospel that is void of God’s truth.
• That word is associated, as you already mentioned, is associated with academics and scholars. So, there is kind of hefty price tag to it, but theology is simply the study of God. So, then if you open up the Bible, you are studying the Christian God. So, everybody that opens up the Bible is a “theologian.” Now of course there are the academic theologians but I like to say we're all theologians and we should take ownership of that because that helps us realize it is a worthy pursuit to understand God and his text.
• We miss out on so much because we're leaving it to those that are called to lead us, right? We're saying, okay, which is good. We should trust our leaders, but we should also question if something actually biblically accurate? I love if I go to teach the Bible somewhere. I love when people do their digging afterwards and make sure that I actually taught the text properly.
• We should have a hunger and an understanding to pursue a depth of who God is, and that's not always going to be accurate in the different areas of consumption, like those 20 -second reels on social media that we come across.
• Through Genesis to Revelation, there's a line of scripture that's happening, and it is revealing Christ all throughout scripture, who Christ is, is being revealed.
• God knows us already, right? So it's really this question of do we embrace the fact that he fully knows us? Do we understand the depth of his love? And I can only imagine that it's a consistently, we're walking out understanding the depths of his love until we're face to face with Jesus.
• **So when we can embrace the truth that we are fully known by a God who loves us, by a God that is for us, by a God that knows the beginning from the end, it creates this stabilizing truth in our life that will carry us when our circumstances are out of control, when the world feels like it's mass chaos, when something comes at us, when we're not prepared, like there is a stabilizing truth that God is good, He is sovereign, He is my Savior (for those that declare Christ as their Lord and Savior.) And that stabilizing truth in itself is something that will help you continue to move forward until we are again face to face with Jesus.
• God has always fully known us. And when we can really start to accept that and receive that, I think that's when we really start to live in the abundant life that Jesus came to give. Wh

This episode is part 40 in a study of the gospel of Luke. Jesus tells us too parabales to teach something about prayer. The first of an unjuest judge and the second of a self-righteous Pharisee.<

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In today’s episode, Counselor, author, and educator Dr. Mark Mayfield equips pastors, ministry leaders, and volunteers with practical tools to support mental health in the church. This conversation between Drs. Zach and Mark bridges clinical wisdom, spiritual formation, and the realities of shepherding people through emotional struggles. Dr. Mayfield unpacks how to recognize signs of distress, create safe spaces for honest conversations, and respond to crisis moments with clarity and compassion. He discusses the importance of boundaries in ministry, the role of community in healing, and simple, evidence-based practices that help churches foster emotional resilience, spiritual growth, and relational safety.

 

Dr. Mayfield’s Website: https://www.drmayfield.com/ 

Pick Up Your Copy of The Mental Health Handbook For Ministry: https://shorturl.at/cA3oE 

Pick Up Your Copy of The Hope & Healing for Loneliness Workbook: https://aacc.net/product/hope-healing-for-loneliness-a-guide-to-flourish-in-community/ 

Looking for Clinically Excellent, Distinctively Christian Counsel & Care?: https://christiancareconnect.com/  

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Can miracles actually be proven—or do they always require blind faith? In this episode, bestselling author and former skeptic Lee Strobel joins the podcast to explore the evidence behind modern-day miracles and his upcoming film, The Case for Miracles (in theaters December 15–18).

Drawing from peer-reviewed medical journals, eyewitness testimony, and global research, Lee explains how science, reason, and faith intersect when it comes to supernatural healing. The conversation tackles hard questions about unanswered prayers, the purpose of miracles, and why reports of miraculous healings appear more frequently in certain parts of the world. Whether you’re a believer, skeptic, or somewhere in between, this episode invites you to examine the evidence—and decide where it leads.

Highlights

• Can miracles be scientifically documented or investigated?

• The definition of a miracle—and what it isn’t

• A medically verified case of instant healing from blindness

• Why miracles don’t “violate” the laws of nature

• The difference between coincidence, placebo, and genuine miracles

• Why miracles often cluster in parts of the developing world

• How to wrestle with faith when healing doesn’t come

• Lee Strobel’s personal story of suffering and unanswered prayer

• Why The Case for Miracles is designed for skeptics and seekers

Join the Conversation

Do you believe miracles still happen today—and what role does faith play when prayers go unanswered?

Share your thoughts and join the conversation using #LifeAudio.

Resources & Links

• The Case for Miracles — In theaters December 15–18

• Books by Lee Strobel, including The Case for Christ

• Discover more faith-centered podcasts at LifeAudio.com

Today’s Bible Verse: “And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” — Luke 2:7 (NIV)

Luke 2:7 captures the quiet, humble moment where heaven touched earth. The Savior of the world did not arrive in comfort or celebration but in simplicity and scarcity. This verse reminds us that God often enters our stories in unexpected places—ordinary, overlooked, and far from ideal.

Meet Today’s Host: Reverend Jessica Van Roekel

️ Listen to more daily devotionals with Jessica at Your Daily Bible Verse on LifeAudio

Rev. Jessica Van Roekel is a passionate Christian speaker, author, and worship pastor who shares how God brings beauty from brokenness. Her message centers on God’s power to rescue, restore, and renew, even after seasons of rejection or loss.

She is the author of Reframing Rejection: How Looking Through a Different Lens Changes Everything, a guide to seeing God’s purpose in life’s disappointments.

Jessica and her husband are raising a vibrant family, with two adult daughters, a college-aged son, and a high school daughter. You can explore her teachings, devotionals, and resources at WelcomeGrace.com.

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Connect with God — on Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. Use this biblical meditation, narrated by Lonein Lara, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. Losing sight of Christmas? Meditate on Luke 2:10-11. Allow the music & nature sounds, deep breathing, prayer, and scripture help you connect with God in a new way. 

For a 30 day free trial of our premium ad-free content, your trusted friend for meditation is right here: https://abide.com/peace

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A Prayer to Believe in the Light

The light has been given—and now it’s meant to be shared.It today's episode by, we are reminded of the words of Jesus spoken shortly after He raised Lazarus from the dead. Knowing His time on earth was short, Jesus urged the crowds to believe in Him while the light was still among them. His promise was clear: those who believe in the light become children of the light.

Reference: John 12:36

Prayer: Father, thank you that you give us the right to become your children when we believe in the light. May we always be aware that as children of light, we carry your light wherever we go. In Jesus' name, amen.

LINKS:

Read the first five days of Everyday Prayers for Christmas 

Follow Everyday Prayers @MillionPrayingMoms

Get today's devotion and prayer in written form to keep for future use! 

Support the ministry with your $5 monthly gift through Patreon.

Discover more Christian podcasts at LifeAudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at LifeAudio.com/contact-us

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

La Biblia nos recuerda en 2 Timoteo 4:7, «He peleado la buena batalla, he acabado la carrera, he guardado la Fe». Así como la abeja, nuestra vida encuentra sentido no en cuánto tiempo vivimos… sino en cuánto amor y servicio dejamos atrás. ¡Que tu última obra sea siempre sembrar esperanza!

Escrito por Mercy Cosme 

Telegram: https://t.me/TheSalvationArmySoundcast

WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/B8WQJMa1QU9AFAMdmUkwcC

 

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This episode mentions suicide and may be triggering for some listeners.

 

On today’s episode, we talk with two guests who have navigated both the heights of success and the depths of personal struggle, learning a profound truth: finding hope isn’t just for the good times. Candace Cameron Bure, the beloved actress and author, shares how she rooted her identity not in Hollywood fame, but in her faith, discovering her true value when the applause stopped. Then, Pastor Shawn Johnson opens up about his lifelong battles with anxiety, depression, and a devastating medical diagnosis, revealing how he found the courage to “kiss the fire” and walk through his hardest seasons with God’s strength.

 

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

Jesus Calling Podcast

Jesus Calling

Jesus Always

Jesus Listens

Past interview: Anthony Lucia

Upcoming interview: Brenda Lee

 

Candace Cameron Bure

Full House

Fuller House 

Bob Saget

Luke 2 NIV

Jesus Listens for Advent and Christmas

www.candacecbure.com

 

Pastor Shawn Johnson

Attacking Anxiety

Kiss the Fire

Mayo Clinic 

Parkinson’s disease

www.redrockschurch.com

 

Interview Quotes:

“I really started digging deeply into the Word of God and understanding that my identity isn’t in my occupation, who I know, or how much money I have. My identity is rooted in Christ, that I am the daughter of the King. My purpose is to glorify God in all that I do.” - Candace Cameron Bure 

“There was always a hug at the end of Full House and Fuller House, and we always worked through the problems. It was a really great model for so many people that have families that don’t feel safe. This was a family that they could look to for that.” - Candace Cameron Bure 

“My joy comes from the Lord and the goodness that He gives me and having hope in Him for eternity. And through that joy, He gives me my strength to persevere each day, to endure every day, to take another step, to be able to breathe deeply. God calls us to walk with Him, and you can’t get to know someone if you don’t spend time with them.” - Candace Cameron Bure 

“As a working woman, there are so many days that I can feel overwhelmed. I have to remind myself that my joy doesn’t come from the circumstances around me,

When Christmas expectations fall apart, the ache can feel overwhelming—but Proverbs 13:12 (often paired with this theme) reminds us that deferred hopes don’t have to end in despair. This devotional explores how to navigate a Christmas that looks nothing like you imagined while staying rooted in hope, prayer, and meaningful connection. Whether a loved one can’t come home, financial strain reshapes your traditions, or grief is pulling at your heart, God meets you in the disappointment and offers strength for a new kind of holiday.

Highlights

• How to process the grief of missing loved ones during Christmas

• The emotional weight of hope deferred—and God’s ability to redeem hard seasons

• Practical ways to create new traditions when the old ones are no longer possible

• The role of prayer when circumstances feel impossible

• Why staying connected—digitally or in person—still matters

• Simple ways to support others who are grieving or struggling this season

• A reminder that Christmas is ultimately about presence, not perfection

Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide

Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!

Full Transcript Below:

When Christmas Doesn’t Look the Way You Hoped
By: Michelle Lazurek

Bible Reading:
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:16

I'm not coming home for Christmas.

These words hit hard when my husband and I realized my son would not be home for Christmas this year. In his third year of college, he has a girlfriend and wants to spend Christmas with her and her family. While we love who he's with and want him to have a good relationship with her family, it hurts us deeply that we won't get to see him during one of our favorite times of the year. 

For me, my favorite part of Christmas is not opening presents for myself, but watching my children open their presents on Christmas morning. It just won’t be the same without him. 

If you are grieving the loss of a loved one or a loved one won't be at Christmas like you'd hoped, you are not alone. Many of us will have a different type of Christmas this year. Sometimes it's because family and loved ones can't make the trip to see you. For others, it's a financial issue, and relatives can't afford to buy presents like they used to. 

A great way to make the most of the holidays, even if they don't look like you remember, is to create new traditions. While it's OK to have feelings like anger and sadness over the loss of years pas