myPodQuest is a no-pressure, judgment-free space for the weary soul — skeptics welcome.

We look for safety in routines, plans, savings accounts, locked doors, trusted people—and perhaps knowing exactly where the maple bars are kept.

But real safety goes deeper than having everything under control.

In today’s devotion, we explore the promise that God is our refuge and strength. His presence does not always remove the danger, but it reminds us that we do not face it alone.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1

Safety is not always the absence of trouble. Sometimes it is the presence of God within it.

Fear is a normal part of being human—even David, the giant-slayer and warrior, admitted that he was afraid. Faith does not require us to pretend we are always strong. It teaches us where to take our fear.

In today’s devotion, we explore the difference between experiencing fear and allowing fear to lead us. David did not deny his fear. He redirected it toward God.

“Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.” — Psalm 56:3

This week, we begin an honest journey through fear, panic, safety, love, and trust.

What do people see reflected in us?

We were created in the image of God, but life, hurt, selfishness, and sin can distort that reflection. The good news is that God has not given up on His original design. As we keep turning toward Jesus, His Spirit slowly reshapes us—helping His love, patience, mercy, and grace become more visible in the way we treat others.

We may not reflect Him perfectly. None of us do. But perhaps today we can reflect enough of Jesus that someone catches a glimpse of what God is really like.

Join Pastor Kip for Day 5 of this week’s myPodQuest devotional journey.

What does authentic worship actually look like?

Jesus said true worshipers would worship the Father “in spirit and truth.”

But if God is love, shouldn’t authentic worship eventually make us more loving?

If God is merciful, shouldn’t worship make us more merciful?

Today we explore the connection between our vertical relationship with God and our horizontal relationships with people.

Worship is more than music, prayer, or a church service.

Sometimes worship looks like forgiveness.

Patience.

Listening.

Serving.

Seeing someone everyone else overlooked.

Maybe one of the most important questions we can ask is not simply, “Did I worship today?”

But:

“Did someone experience the character of Jesus through me today?”

The word prophecy can make people uncomfortable—and sometimes for good reason. History is filled with failed predictions, controlling leaders, and people who claimed to speak for God.

But does the existence of false prophets mean we should reject the prophetic gift altogether?

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Pastor Kip explores what the Bible actually says about prophecy. What is a prophet? Did God use both prophets and prophetesses? Did the gift end with the apostles? And how does Scripture tell us to test anyone who claims to speak for God?

This episode examines the biblical tests of prophecy, including faithfulness to Scripture, the place of Jesus, the fruit produced by a ministry, and the reliability of prophetic claims.

This is not an invitation to believe every spiritual claim. It is a call to avoid both gullibility and cynicism.

“Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.”

Keep asking. Keep testing. And keep Jesus at the center of the quest.

We can manufacture a lot of things.

But real hope?

Real peace?

Saving faith?

Selfless love?

Those are different.

Romans 15:13 points us toward “the God of hope,” reminding us that some of the most important things in life are not things we manufacture through sheer determination. They are gifts we receive.

Today we explore a simple picture of the Christian life: like the moon reflecting the sun, we don’t create the light—we receive it and reflect it.

Grace received becomes grace given.

Peace received becomes peace carried into anxious places.

Love received becomes love reflected toward others.

And that reflection glorifies the Giver.

One of God’s greatest gifts is also one of His riskiest gifts:

Choice.

God could have created human beings programmed to obey Him. But programmed love isn’t really love. Authentic love, faith, and worship require freedom.

In Deuteronomy 30:19, God says, “Choose life.”

Today we explore why our freedom to choose reveals something important about God’s character—and how we glorify Him when we freely choose love, mercy, grace, truth, and compassion.

Not because we have to.

Because we can.

How do we glorify God?

Maybe it begins by simply recognizing where the good comes from.

James 1:17 reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes from above. Life, love, freedom, relationships, laughter, another morning—and yes, even the ability to choose—are gifts we often move past without noticing.

Today we begin a five-day journey exploring what it really means to glorify God. Not by trying to impress Him, but by recognizing the Giver, receiving His gifts with gratitude, and allowing them to shape the way we live.

Sometimes authentic worship begins with two simple words:

“Thank You.”

Does church still matter when sermons, worship music, and spiritual content are available anytime, anywhere?

In this episode of myPodQuest, Pastor Kip explores why church was never meant to be something we simply watch or consume. We were created in the image of a relational God, which means we were made for both a vertical relationship with God and horizontal relationships with one another.

Church is not perfect. Church people can be difficult. Some have even been deeply wounded by unhealthy churches. But the failures of human community do not erase our need for healthy community.

Worship is more than receiving a good sermon, enjoying the music, or locating the least uncomfortable pew. It is about giving God our attention, praise, presence, gifts, service, patience, and love.

Church is where love gets practiced—not merely discussed.

Because somebody there may need what God has placed within you. And whether you realize it yet or not, you probably need them too.

What does it mean to “fear God”? Not panic. Not terror. Not running away. Today we explore reverence, awe, humility, and trust — the kind of holy awareness that helps us place God above every competing voice.