Quiet on Purpose

While "justice" is a "hot topic" and a buzzword in our culture these days, I wonder how much of our time is honestly spent considering what lies within our realm of power, our own sphere of influence, that we could do something about, something to enact justice, but perhaps we're too busy casting blame on someone else, someone with more power, someone who ought to be behaving more justly, at least in our own humble opinion. Today's episode isn't about big picture justice, and how certain political leaders do or don't help that cause. Rather, as is our practice in this podcast, we're going to look at our own hearts, and allow God to highlight for us what it might look like to "do justly" right where he has us today. I hope you'll listen in!

Read it on Bible Gateway

Questions from today's episode: Is there anyone toward whom I’ve been acting unjustly? Is there anyone in my sphere who needs my efforts on their behalf to bring about justice? Or is there an organization that is working to bring justice for mistreated individuals that God is prompting me to get involved with on some level? How can I “do justly” today?

Sometimes our view of God seems to grow smaller, or be obscured by the mountainous problems or other demands of life. This week's verse invites us to "look to the heavens" and consider just how BIG and how GOOD God is! It's a refreshing, perhaps much needed, reset to our perspective! I hope you'll listen in!

Read today's verse!

Questions from today's episode: What threatens to obscure your view of who God is today? What is God revealing to you about himself as you shift your gaze to the heavens? How will you respond to this new perspective or this reminder of his character?

Podcast music written and recorded by Caleb Lieurance

We often ask God to "bless" others, or to "bless" us, or to "bless" our food. But have we considered that we are called to "bless" the Lord? How do we do that? The answer is "with all that is within you!" And, if we're honest, that feels about as impossible as leaping across The Grand Canyon! Is there a simple answer that can make it feel more accessible to me? Listen in!

Read today's verse!

Questions from today's episode: What feels most challenging right now about the exhortation to “bless the Lord” with all that is within me? What feels most exciting about it? Do I sense an invitation from the Spirit at this moment, a prompting that will help me move in that direction? What is my response?

Spurgeon's notes on Psalm 103

Podcast music written and recorded by Caleb Lieurance

What is one thing you know? One thing you anchor your soul to, that keeps you from drifting, even in the tough times? In today's episode, we'll talk about one option. Perhaps you don't have an anchor like this. Or perhaps you need to be reminded what your anchor is. I hope you'll listen in today. I think you'll be encouraged and refreshed!

Read today's verse!

Questions from today's episode: What set of circumstances in your life is most likely to threaten your confident hope that God is for you? As you bring this truth into the presence of God, is there an invitation He is extending to your soul today? How will you respond?

Have you ever had one of those moments when God seems to speak to your soul by reminding you of a Bible verse you've memorized? Often those verses we've memorized come in the form of a song we've sung. I'm grateful for the many song writers who have put scripture to song. Among the oldest of these is the old hymn "I Know Whom I Have Believed". Check out the link below if you're unfamiliar. You can also check out the links for more information about the songwriter. I hope you'll listen in today for an encouraging episode about entrusting your most tender concerns to the One who can be trusted!

Read the verse here!

Questions from today's episode: What are you most likely to fret over today? Do you hear God’s invitation to entrust it to Him today? Do you believe that He is big enough, strong enough, and good enough to guard what you are willing to entrust to Him? How will you respond?
Lyrics here

Hymn writer bio here

YouTube version here

Podcast music composed and recorded by Caleb Lieurance

There are abundant definitions for the word "redeem" but the one that I resonate most with is one of the simplest: "to buy back." I love that God promises to buy back the messes we make and the time that we have wasted when we turn our lives over to Him! Redemption is one of the most beautiful and most fundamental characteristics of God. We see it woven throughout the story of the Bible, and we see it woven into our own stories, as well! Listen in to this encouraging episode today!

Read it!

Questions from today's episode: Is there a circumstance in your life right now that is ugly or seems beyond redemption? If so, I invite you to bring it before the Lord right now, and ask Him to give you hope, in order to see His redeeming work in the midst of it. Is there a circumstance in your past that God has redeemed? Give Him praise right now for that, and ask Him if there’s someone you can encourage today with your redemption story.

Waiting is hard! Whether we're waiting 2 minutes at a stoplight or months on end for something important, it's a given that we're inclined to treat the wait as though it were an unwelcome guest. But how we wait influences who we become on the other end. So, what might it look like to "wait on the Lord" in the waiting? To "hope in his word"? Today's episode takes a gentle look at how waiting is both hard and holy. Listen in!

Bible Gateway

Questions from today's episode: What are you waiting for right now? Are you tempted to “fake wait”? What would it look like to wait upon the Lord with your whole being today? Are you willing to put your hope in him as you wait?

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Podcast music written and recorded by Caleb Lieurance

We tend to hold onto the sins of the past for dear life. We keep a record of the wrongs done to us, thinking we have to hold people accountable. We keep a record of the wrongs we've done, thinking that somehow we will make them right. When all along, God extends a different invitation to us. One that offers more peace, freedom and joy than we can imagine! Listen in!

Read it on Bible Gateway!

Questions from today's episode: Where do I find myself today in the cycle of shame and forgiveness? Is there something specific I need to simply name out loud in the presence of God and then surrender to His love and forgiveness? Take some time now to respond to Him.

Can you think of a time when you've cried to God "out of the depths?" Maybe you've found yourself in some dire situation, your life crumbling all around you, despair threatening? If you've made it even as far as Jr. High, this scenario has probably been true of you on at least one occasion! If so, listen in. You might find some comfort in today's episode!

Read today's verses!

Questions from today's episode: Do I find myself today in a situation I might describe as "the depths?" If so, regardless of how I got here, am I willing to call out to God for mercy and plead with him to hear my voice? And as I cry for mercy, am I willing to surrender the outcome to him?

Podcast music written and recorded by Caleb Lieurance

Sometimes life feels so complicated! It doesn't have to, but it does. It's part of the human experience. But, there is a way to experience life in a beautiful simplicity. And the more I live by the principles in Psalm 37:3, the more I experience it exactly that way! Listen in today, there's an invitation for you here.

Read it!

Questions from today's episode: As I listened in today, did one of these phrases jump out at me as an area I might be "hung up" on? Is it keeping me from enjoying a simple life of freedom and joy in Christ? As I pause and consider this verse, what is His invitation to me today? How will I respond?

Podcast music written and recorded by Caleb Lieurance