LifeAudio

This episode is part 26 in a study of the gospel of Luke. Jesus is accused of being in league with Satan. He responds by saying that they will be given a sign like that of the prophet Jonah.

https://thebiblestudypodcast.com/luke-11-the-devil-and-jonah/

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Episode Summary:

If you’ve ever struggled with discouragement, and we all have because life is full of disappointment and disillusionment, then this episode is for you. In honor of National Day of Encouragement, my co-host, Rev. Jessica Van Roekel and I talk about How to Find Biblical Encouragement for Your Everyday Life.

Discouragement can rob us of joy, peace, and a sense of purpose. Encouragement is more than a feeling - it’s a powerful tool to propel us toward hope and confidence even when life feels less than happy. Today we’re going to talk about how to find biblical encouragement for your everyday life.

Quotables from the episode:

• In 2007, a group of young people at the National Leadership Forum at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas saw a lack of encouragement as one of the main obstacles that people face. While dedicating a day to encourage others is noble, we can experience encouragement every day when we turn to the Lord and receive his encouragement. The challenge to receive biblical encouragement is when we know God’s promises but don’t see him working. This topic is close to my heart because I’ve seen firsthand how knowing God, and his promises have encouraged me in the face of difficult and seemingly unchanging circumstances. I know many of our listeners and viewers struggle with discouragement, and my prayer is that today’s conversation will bring encouragement and hope.
• Knowing God’s names helps us learn to trust him. When we trust him, it’s easier to experience encouragement in our every day. Psalm 9:10 says, Those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
• Relationships are an area where we can experience extreme discouragement. Personality differences can create division. Unforgiveness leads to rifts. It can feel discouraging to desire a healing in a relationship, but every effort is rejected. We’ve talked about the temptation to judge God’s goodness based on humanity’s failures. If our in-person relationships are broken, and we don’t have a vibrant or growing relationship with God, we grow discouraged because we were made for relationship.
• Friend, if you’ve found yourself in a place of discouragement—especially when you're facing relationship struggles—you are not alone. As a neuropsychologist, I’ve seen how deeply our relationships impact not only our emotional well-being but also our brain health. God designed our brains for connection. We were created in His image, a God who is relational by nature, and He wired us for fellowship—with Him and with each other.
• When our relationships are strained, whether due to misunderstanding, unmet expectations, betrayal, or emotional distance, our brains register it as a threat. That triggers our stress response—what we often call “fight, flight, or freeze.” Over time, if that stress continues unchecked, it leads to anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping, and a foggy, overwhelmed mind. Our thought life becomes a battlefield, and discouragement sets in.
• But here's the hope: God doesn’t leave us to navigate this alone. He sees every tear, hears every unspoken word, and knows the condition of our hearts and minds. Psalm 34:18 reminds us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Our healing begins when we bring both our brain health and our relational wounds to the Great Physician.
• Practical steps include tending to your thought life—taking every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5), practicing forgiveness to unburden your heart, and choosing truth over lies. Sometimes that means setting healthy boundaries or seeking wise counsel. And always, it means leaning into the One who offers peace that transcends understanding.
• Your brain can heal. Your heart can mend. And your relationships can be restored—if not with others, then

Discover the heart behind Zach Williams’ new album, Jesus Loves, releasing September 19th with 12 powerful tracks, including the title track Jesus Loves and fan favorite Friend in High Places. In this episode, Zach Williams shares how this album is an invitation for misfits, prodigals, and church kids, reminding listeners that no matter your story, God already loves you.

Zach opens up about the personal journey that inspired this album, including:

• The story behind the hit song Hated and its message of loving God over pleasing the world

• Killed a Man and the spiritual imagery of dying to self and baptism

• How Hello Hallelujah reflects a raw, honest faith journey through challenges

• Bridging the gap between those inside and outside the church through relatable Christian music

Zach also shares his perspective on Christian music’s evolution, blending country, rock, blues, and bluegrass to reach fans in real-life moments. He’s touring this fall with We The Kingdom, Ben Fuller, and Leanna Crawford.

Listen to the full album and catch Zach on tour: ZachWilliamsMusic.com
Featured Tracks: Jesus Loves, Friend in High Places, Hated, Killed a Man, Hello Hallelujah
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In this life, our view of God’s purpose, His plan, and even ourselves can be foggy—blurred by pain, sin, or confusion. But here's the hope: just like the mirror clears, so does our vision of who we are in Christ. As we walk with Him, spend time in His Word, and trust His Spirit, the fog begins to lift.

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Today’s Bible Verse: "But let each one test his own work. Then his reason to boast will be in himself and not in his neighbor" — Galatians 6:4

In a world obsessed with comparison, Galatians 6:4 reminds us that true fulfillment comes from focusing on our own journey. God calls us to examine our actions, grow in integrity, and take pride in what He has done through us—without measuring ourselves against others.

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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.

Let Scripture shape your heart today—begin with the Bible Verse of the Day on Biblestudytools.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 James Seawood, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. How can you create a safe place for others? Meditate on Proverbs 17:17. 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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Sleep better and Stress Less— with Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. We hope this biblical sleep meditation, narrated by Lonein Lara, helps your body relax and your mind rest on the truth found in scripture. Fall asleep as you recenter your heart on Jesus - the One who is worthy of praise. Rejoice in the Name above all Names, and let the joy of the Lord be your strength.

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

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A Prayer to Combat Jealousy

Jealousy is a subtle but destructive force that can creep into our hearts and relationships. In today's episode, we look at King Saul’s jealousy of David, the “green-eyed monster” Shakespeare warned of, and how jealousy can consume us if left unchecked. Through personal stories—including a lesson from kids’ soccer trophies—we explore how jealousy separates us, while love and gratitude draw us closer to God and one another.

Reference: Proverbs 14:30

Prayer: Jesus, forgive me for being jealous of others. Help me to remain humble and grateful for all the blessings in my life, and to rejoice when blessings come to others. Show me the warning signs when the green-eyed monster rears its ugly head in my or my kids’ hearts, and give me the wisdom to help them navigate those situations with grace. Lord, set my children free from jealousy so that they may see others as co-laborers for Christ, rather than competitors. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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

As Moses approached the end of his life, his focus wasn’t on regret, bitterness, or personal loss—it was on God’s people. In Numbers 27:15-17, Moses prayed that the Lord would appoint a leader to guide Israel so they wouldn’t be “like sheep without a shepherd.” Despite his mistakes and missed opportunities, Moses left a legacy of faith, humility, and care for God’s people. This devotional reminds us that true spiritual leadership looks beyond ourselves and points others toward the ultimate Good Shepherd—Jesus—who leads us into rest, protection, and eternal promise.

✨ Highlights

• Moses’ selfless prayer — Even at the end of his life, Moses was focused on God’s people, not his own loss

• A legacy of faith — Despite failure, Moses’ life still pointed others toward God’s promises

• Jesus, our ultimate Shepherd — The fulfillment of Moses’ prayer is found in Jesus, who leads us to spiritual safety and rest (John 10:11)

• Kingdom perspective — God calls us to live with an eternal mindset, thinking beyond our present circumstances and investing in future generations

• Carrying God’s light — As Christ-followers, we are called to shine His light wherever we go and leave the world “better than we found it”

Join the Conversation

How are you leaving a God-led legacy in your life? What practical ways are you pointing others toward Jesus, the ultimate Good Shepherd? Share your story and tag @LifeAudioNetwork using #FaithfulLegacy to encourage others on their journey of faith.

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Full Transcript Below:

15 Moses said to the Lord, 16 “May the Lord, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community 17 to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” Numbers 25:15-17, NIV

A recent guest on the Faith Over Fear podcast shared how his wife, when battling illness that placed her on bedrest and fearing for her future, encouraged him not to wait too long, once she passed, to marry someone else. Ne

This week, we’ll hear from two incredible actors—Chrissy Metz, best known for her role on TV’s This Is Us, and Edwina Findley Dickerson, known for her roles on The Wire and Chicago Med. Through their transformative work as actors, they strive not only to compassionately portray their characters, they deeply inhabit them, telling powerful stories with empathy and grace.

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

Jesus Calling Podcast

Jesus Calling

Jesus Always

Jesus Listens

Past interview: Cole Prasse

Upcoming interview: Justin Knoop

Chrissy Metz

This Is Us

Jim Carrey 

Jack Black

Robin Williams

www.chrissymetzmusic.com

When I Talk To God, I Talk About Feelings

Edwina Findley Dickerson 

The Wire 

Chicago Med

Psalty’s Christmas Calamity

Duke Ellington School of the Arts

www.edwinafindley.com

The World Is Waiting for You

Interview Quotes:

“I wanted to be an actor because I wanted to tell stories that I never saw or people like me that I’d never seen on TV or movies that weren’t just the butt of the joke, but had like full-fledged stories and important lessons to impart.” - Chrissy Metz 

“I start my day with a gratitude list before I even get out of bed because life is fleeting, life is precious, people are going through so much—but you can always find at least ten things to be grateful for.” - Chrissy Metz 

“I just know that what’s meant for me will find me, even if I’m running away from it. It will be God’s time, not mine.” - Chrissy Metz

“When people tell you things almost as a fact, you can start to believe it if you don’t have another voice. God told me I was called to entertainment, and I thank God that I leaned into His voice even when other people’s voices seemed louder, because God’s plan is the one that won out.” - Edwina Findley Dickerson

“We can end up with what I call the ‘curse of comparison,’ and then we can talk our way out of what God is trying to talk us into.” - Edwina Findley Dickerson 

“From Genesis to Revelation, we see people who were not considered the smartest, who were not considered the most powerful, who were not considered the most beautiful, but were ca