One Single Story

Pastor Stephen Mizell and Pastor Jay Rivenbark are joined by Pastor Alyssa Bream for a conversation from Psalm 143 -- the seventh and final penitential psalm -- exploring what it means to walk through spiritual dry seasons and how intentional remembering can anchor our faith when life feels relentless.

Scripture Focus: Psalm 143:1-12 - David cries out under relentless attack, his spirit fainting and his soul living in darkness as if in the grave, yet turns his eyes toward God's faithfulness.

In This Episode:

• How dry seasons can overwhelm even the strongest believers
• The difference between unhealthy nostalgia and faith-fueled remembering
• Why recalling past hard seasons reminds us that difficult times are never permanent
• Leaning into God with enough trust to believe the rain will come again

Key Quote: "There are places in my life today that are flooded with grace that were meant to be dry. If I can just remember, when I am in a dry spot, that God's always faithful -- that's enough to move forward."

One Single Story is a weekday podcast from Open Door Church in Edenton, North Carolina, offering brief conversational lessons from the One Year Bible. Find us at onesinglestory.com and visitopendoor.com.

Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that the rain will come again.

#OneYearBible #ChristianPodcast #BibleStudy #DailyDevotional #OpenDoorChurch #Psalms #Faith #DrySeason

Welcome to One Single Story! Pastor Stephen Mizell and Pastor Jay Rivenbark are joined by Pastor Alyssa Bream for a conversation centered on Psalm 142, David's raw, unfiltered prayer written from a literal cave while fleeing Saul. Together, they explore what it looks like to cry out to God in your most isolated moments — and what it means to find Him sufficient there.

Scripture Focus: Psalm 142:1-7 — Written when David was hiding in a cave, this psalm captures the honest cry of someone overwhelmed, yet still turning to the only One who knows the way forward.

In This Episode:

• The difference between a biblical lament and toxic grumbling — and why one moves us toward God while the other keeps us stuck
• Navigating caves that are self-imposed versus those outside our control
• How leaders can face the unique loneliness of ministry without slipping into bitterness and burnout
• Why Elijah's choice to abandon his support system is a warning for all of us

Key Quote: "When you lose your platform and find yourself in a cave, you discover the platform was only temporary. The rock is eternal."

One Single Story drops every weekday, walking through the One Year Bible with honest conversation and pastoral insight. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and join us tomorrow for our next reading.

visitopendoor.com | onesinglestory.com

#OneYearBible #ChristianPodcast #BibleStudy #DailyDevotional #OpenDoorChurch #Psalms #Faith #ChristianLeadership

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Pastor Stephen Mizell and Pastor Jay Rivenbark are joined by Pastor Alyssa Bream for today's lesson from Psalm 141, an evening psalm of personal discipline in which David prays not just against external enemies but against the internal pulls that draw us away from God.

In this episode the team explores why guarding your lips is one of the most critical prayers you can pray in seasons of conflict, how subtle drift toward evil begins long before outright sin, and what it practically looks like to keep your eyes fixed on God when chaos demands your full attention.

One Single Story is a weekday devotional podcast from Open Door Church in Edenton, North Carolina, offering a brief, conversational lesson each day from the One Year Bible reading plan.

visitopendoor.com | onesinglestory.com

Subscribe so you never miss a weekday episode, and share it with someone who needs a word from Scripture today.

#OneYearBible #ChristianPodcast #BibleStudy #DailyDevotional #OpenDoorChurch #Psalms #Faith #Scripture #GuardYourTongue #ChristianLife

Join Pastor Stephen Mizell, Pastor Jay Rivenbark, and Pastor Alyssa Bream for this episode of One Single Story as they dig into Psalm 140, a raw and honest prayer from David written during a season when he was hunted and slandered. The hosts unpack what it looks like to ask God for protection from the poison of the tongue, to recognize the hidden traps that line our daily path, and to trust the Lord's justice instead of taking matters into our own hands.

Scripture Focus: Psalm 140:1-13 - David's prayer for protection from violent men and the dangerous power of words, written during a period when he was being hunted and slandered. The psalm moves from a cry for personal protection to pointed prayers against his enemies, and closes with confident trust in the Lord's justice for the oppressed.

In This Episode:

• The debated meaning behind David's prayer to "heap burning coals" on his enemies, and how it compares to the same phrase in Proverbs and Romans
• Why David focuses so heavily on the tongue when praying for protection against violent men
• How gossip, criticism, and careless words sow division long before any physical conflict begins
• The subtle, concealed nature of spiritual traps, including apathy, busyness, and poor choices made while trying to do the right thing
• The difference between being busy and being effective, and how a full schedule can crowd out room for God
• Learning to trust God's timing and justice rather than seeking personal vengeance
• How staying confident in God's justice allows believers to remain silent when everyone else is rattling on

Key Quote: "Words show up long before they are weapons."

About One Single Story: One Single Story is a weekday devotional podcast that offers a brief, conversational lesson from each day's reading in the One Year Bible. Hosted by the pastors of Open Door Church in Edenton, North Carolina, the show is designed to help listeners grab a Bible, a pen, and paper, and engage in real conversation around the Word of God.

This episode comes from Open Door Church in Edenton, North Carolina. Learn more and find additional resources at visitopendoor.com and onesinglestory.com.

Subscribe to One Single Story so you never miss a weekday devotional. New episodes release each weekday to help you stay grounded in God's Word, one story at a time.

Coming This Week: This week's conversations continue through the book of Psalms in the One Year Bible reading plan, closing out this cycle through the Psalter before starting back at Psalm 1. Join the hosts each weekday for a fresh, honest look at Scripture and how it applies to everyday life and leadership.

Hashtags: #OneYearBible #ChristianPodcast #BibleStudy #DailyDevotional #OpenDoorChurch #BiblicalEncouragement #ChristianLife #Scripture #Faith #Psalms #BookOfPsalms #PowerOfWords #ChristianLeadership #TrustGod #DevotionalPodcastv

Welcome back to One Single Story! Today Pastor Stephen Mizell and Pastor Jay Rivenbark are joined by Pastor Wendy Korbusieski for a conversation on Acts 12 and 13. The team digs into the power of corporate fasting, what it means to have both a heavenly call and an earthly confirmation, and how to confront spiritual opposition with boldness and truth.

Scripture Focus: Acts 12:24–13:15 - In this passage, the church at Antioch is worshiping and fasting when the Holy Spirit sets apart Barnabas and Saul for ministry. The text also recounts Paul's direct confrontation with the sorcerer Elymas, showing what it looks like to stand against spiritual opposition in the power of the Holy Spirit.

In This Episode:

• How corporate fasting and worship help believers hear the Spirit's specific direction
• Why the church at Antioch's depth of gifted leaders points to a mission bigger than itself
• The connection between fasting, prayer, and giving as core spiritual disciplines Jesus taught
• Why both a heavenly call and an earthly confirmation matter when discerning God's voice
• Four observations on how Paul responded to spiritual opposition with truth and discernment
• Why confronting evil leaves no room for nuance, while conflict with people calls for grace
• A real-life example of calling out pettiness disguised as a spiritual decision

Key Quote: "Whatever you feed is going to take control of your life. If you feed your flesh or you feed your spirit... anything you feed grows."

About One Single Story: One Single Story is a weekday devotional podcast walking through the One Year Bible, offering brief, thoughtful conversations around Scripture to help you grow in your faith one day at a time.

Open Door Church | Edenton, North Carolina visitopendoor.com | onesinglestory.com

Subscribe to One Single Story so you never miss a daily conversation around God's Word. New episodes release every weekday.

Coming This Week: Join us as we continue through the book of Acts, exploring the early church's journey to take the gospel beyond comfort and into new territory.

Hashtags: #OneYearBible #ChristianPodcast #BibleStudy #DailyDevotional #OpenDoorChurch #BiblicalEncouragement #ChristianLife #Scripture #Faith #BookOfActs #Fasting #PrayerAndFasting #HolySpirit #SpiritualWarfare

Pastor Stephen Mizell, Pastor Jay Rivenbark, and Pastor Wendy Korbusieski continue their journey through the One Year Bible with a look at Acts 12, where James is martyred and Peter is miraculously freed from prison, even as the church praying for him is stunned that their prayer actually worked.

Scripture Focus: Acts 12:1-23 - Herod's persecution of the early church, Peter's imprisonment and angelic rescue, and his downfall after accepting worship that belonged to God.

In This Episode:

• Praying out of duty versus praying in real faith
• Making sense of unequal outcomes when one believer suffers and another is delivered
• Why deliverance comes with unfinished work, not a free pass
• Guarding against pride and redirecting praise to God

Key Quote: "The gates of a prison are no match for earnest prayers of a church. But make sure you're ready to open the door when God answers your prayer."

Open Door Church, Edenton, North Carolina visitopendoor.com | onesinglestory.com

Subscribe for new daily devotional conversations every weekday following the One Year Bible reading plan.

Hashtags: #OneYearBible #ChristianPodcast #BibleStudy #DailyDevotional #OpenDoorChurch #Faith #BookOfActs #PrayerLife

Welcome to One Single Story! Join Pastor Stephen Mizell, Pastor Jay Rivenbark and Pastor Wendy Korbusieski for a brief, conversational walk through today's reading in the One Year Bible. In today's episode, the team digs into Acts 11, exploring how the Jerusalem church moved from criticism to celebration, what it looks like to become a sending church, and how believers stay steadfast for the long haul.

Scripture Focus: Acts 11:1-30 - Peter returns to Jerusalem and faces a grievance committee over his decision to eat with Gentiles in Cornelius's household. After hearing his account, the Jerusalem believers move from objection to praise. The scene then shifts to Antioch, where the gospel spreads to Gentiles, Barnabas encourages new believers to remain true to the Lord, and the term "Christian" is used for the first time.

In This Episode:

• How the name "Christian" began as an insult in Antioch but became a badge of honor for early believers
• Why listening to the facts and applying spiritual discernment helps move a community from criticism to celebration
• Peter's example of defending the truth without backing down from controversy
• The difference between a receiving church and a sending church, and why outward focus matters
• How a predicted famine motivated the early church toward proactive generosity
• What it means to build steadfastness and endurance over time rather than expecting instant transformation
• A closing challenge: what nickname would the world give your church today

Key Quote: "Forward focus ensures present provision."

About One Single Story: One Single Story is a weekday devotional podcast offering brief, practical lessons drawn from the daily reading in the One Year Bible. Hosted by the pastoral team at Open Door Church in Edenton, North Carolina, each episode invites listeners to open their Bible, grab a pen and paper, and join a real conversation around God's Word.

This episode comes from Open Door Church in Edenton, North Carolina. Learn more at visitopendoor.com or onesinglestory.com.

If this episode encouraged you, subscribe to One Single Story so you never miss a daily lesson from the One Year Bible. New episodes release every weekday.

Coming This Week: The team continues their study through the book of Acts, following the spread of the early church and what it means to live out steadfast, sending-focused faith in today's world. Join us tomorrow for the next conversation around the Word.

Hashtags: #OneYearBible #ChristianPodcast #BibleStudy #DailyDevotional #OpenDoorChurch #BiblicalEncouragement #ChristianLife #Scripture #Faith #BookOfActs #ActsChapter11 #EarlyChurch #SendingChurch #Steadfastness #ChristianCommunity

Welcome to another episode of One Single Story! Today, Pastor Stephen Mizell is joined by co-hosts Pastor Jay Rivenbark and Pastor Wendy Korbusieski for a powerful conversation in the book of Acts, exploring how God shows no favoritism, how the Holy Spirit interrupts our plans, and how His grace continually astonishes us through the people He saves.

Scripture Focus: Acts 10:24-48 - This passage covers Peter's visit to Cornelius's house, a significant moment where Peter, a strict Jew, enters a Gentile's home in obedience to God's vision. Peter declares that God shows no favoritism, the Holy Spirit falls on the Gentiles present, and they are baptized, marking a pivotal expansion of the gospel beyond Jewish believers.

In This Episode:

• Peter's obedience in showing up without knowing the full plan
• What truly qualifies someone as an "apostle" according to Scripture
• How "God shows no favoritism" should shape local outreach and evangelism
• Recognizing and overcoming personal prejudices and blind spots
• Staying sensitive to the Holy Spirit's movement within structured church services
• The difference between church structure as "tracks" versus a "cage"
• Stories of God's grace astonishing the hosts through unexpected salvations

Key Quote: "Structure should be tracks, not a cage. Structure should be tracks that you run on - you're moving from point A to point B, not a cage that we got to keep it inside of."

About One Single Story: One Single Story is a weekday devotional podcast offering brief, conversational lessons drawn from a section of that day's reading in the One Year Bible. Hosted by the pastors of Open Door Church, each episode invites listeners to dig into Scripture with a Bible, pen, and paper, fostering real conversations around God's Word.

Open Door Church, Edenton, North Carolina visitopendoor.com | onesinglestory.com

Subscribe to One Single Story to stay grounded in God's Word every weekday. Hit the subscribe button and turn on notifications so you never miss a daily lesson from the One Year Bible.

Coming This Week: Join us as we continue our journey through the book of Acts, uncovering more stories of the early church's growth, the Holy Spirit's work, and how the gospel continues to break down barriers and reach the unexpected.

Hashtags: #OneYearBible #ChristianPodcast #BibleStudy #DailyDevotional #OpenDoorChurch #BiblicalEncouragement #ChristianLife #Scripture #Faith #BookOfActs #HolySpirit #NoFavoritism #Acts10 #ChristianCommunity

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Join Pastor Stephen Mizell, Pastor Jay Rivenbark, and Pastor Wendy Korbusieski for today's edition of One Single Story as they dig into Acts chapter 10, the powerful account of Cornelius and Peter. This conversation explores spiritual blind spots, cultural bias, and what it truly means to follow God as revelation leads to transformation.

Scripture Focus: Acts 10:1-23 - This passage marks the beginning of the Gentile Pentecost, recounting how God simultaneously prepared Cornelius, a devout Roman centurion, and Peter, a Jewish apostle, to break down barriers between Jew and Gentile and open the gospel to all nations.

In This Episode:

• How Cornelius's prayers and gifts to the poor were received by God as an act of worship, even before he was part of the covenant promise
• Peter's vision and the command not to call unclean what God has called clean
• Identifying our own cultural and religious blind spots and the importance of inviting honest feedback from others
• How developing real relationships with people we may have prejudged can completely change our perspective
• The difference between being religious and being truly saved, including sobering statistics on self-identified Christians versus true disciples
• Cornelius's story as a picture of being judged according to the knowledge we have, and the call to respond when new revelation comes
• Why the fear of the Lord is the beginning of the journey, not the end

Key Quote: "God will not use your biases to build the kingdom. So don't let your old sheets of tradition keep you from a house full of new souls."

About One Single Story: One Single Story is a weekday devotional podcast from Open Door Church in Edenton, North Carolina, walking through the One Year Bible reading plan one passage at a time. Each episode offers a brief, conversational lesson designed to help listeners grow in their understanding of Scripture and their relationship with God.

Open Door Church | Edenton, North Carolina visitopendoor.com | onesinglestory.com

Subscribe to One Single Story so you never miss a daily devotional. New episodes release every weekday to help you stay grounded in God's Word.

Coming This Week: Join us as we continue our journey through the book of Acts this week, exploring how the early church navigated cultural barriers, embraced new revelation, and carried the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Hashtags: #OneYearBible #ChristianPodcast #BibleStudy #DailyDevotional #OpenDoorChurch #BiblicalEncouragement #ChristianLife #Scripture #Faith #ActsOfTheApostles #Cornelius #BookOfActs #GentilePentecost #SpiritualBlindSpot

Welcome to One Single Story. Join Pastor Stephen Mizell, Pastor Jay Rivenbark, and Pastor Sheryl Daughety as they explore one of the most pivotal passages in Solomon's story -- a moment when outward greatness masked an inward drift from the Lord.

Today we're in 1 Kings 9:1–10:29 -- the absolute peak of Solomon's empire. Gold everywhere. Foreign queens paying tribute. Military power expanding. By every outward measure, this is the greatest moment in Israel's history.

But underneath all of it, the seeds of compromise are already taking root.

We dig into one of the most sobering questions in Solomon's story: what happens when you have accomplished everything you set out to do? When there is no next dream, no next challenge -- just unlimited wealth and time to fill? Solomon broke all three of God's explicit prohibitions for Israel's kings found in Deuteronomy 17, and he did not do it all at once. It was a drift. Slow, subtle, and self-justified every step of the way.

The warning God gives in 1 Kings 9:6-9 is just as important as any promise He makes -- and it comes at the very height of Solomon's success, because that is exactly when we stop listening.

Success is the hardest test of character. It is easier to trust God when you have nothing than when you have everything.

New episodes every weekday at onesinglestory.com and visitopendoor.com.

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