In Part 2 of God in the Distaff Side, Dr. Mark Rutland turns to the hearts of women in Scripture—the compromised, romantic, and committed heart. From Lot’s wife and Bathsheba to Rizpah and Mary, each reveals how the posture of the heart shaped their destiny. Through these stories, Dr. Rutland reveals how the heart still directs the course of a life—and how God continues to speak through the distaff side.

In this moving two-part series, Dr. Mark Rutland turns our attention to the women of Scripture—how they saw, what they carried, and how God met them in their pain. From Michal’s bitterness to Naomi’s brokenness, from a Gentile mother’s humility to Anna’s faith, their stories reveal how the eyes of women have been shaped by loss, insult, and hope. This message is a love letter from God to the distaff side—a call to see beyond what’s been lost and believe again.

In this powerful message from Acts 1:1–8, Dr. Mark Rutland explores the profound communication struggle between God and humanity. Though God's message is perfect, it is received through our broken, fallen nature—leading to confusion about the very Kingdom Jesus came to reveal. Dr. Rutland illustrates how even the apostles misunderstood Christ's teachings on power, expecting military strength when Jesus offered spiritual authority. Through vivid examples—from the humanity of Jesus to Peter’s sword in Gethsemane—this sermon challenges listeners to rethink what it means to receive true power through the Holy Spirit. Power not to conquer, but to carry the cross.

In this powerful episode, Dr. Mark Rutland unpacks Isaiah 6:1—"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw also the Lord..." With deep insight and personal storytelling, he reminds us that no matter what happens in our lives or nation, God is still on the throne. Sharing a childhood lesson about depth perception, Dr. Rutland illustrates how the enemy magnifies our pain until it blocks our view of God. But like Isaiah, we can declare: I see that... but I also see the Lord, high and lifted up. This message is a stirring call to reclaim our focus, renew our humility, and refuse to let grief or fear define our year—because this is the year of our Lord.

In this powerful episode, Dr. Mark Rutland explores one of the most profound moments of repentance in all of Scripture. Drawing from 2 Samuel 12 and Psalm 51, he unpacks the story behind King David’s fall with Bathsheba, the prophetic confrontation by Nathan, and David’s heartfelt response. Dr. Rutland dives into the raw honesty of Psalm 51, showing how David’s confession wasn’t about managing consequences—it was about true transformation. A thousand years before Christ, David longed not just for forgiveness, but for a new heart. This message is a sobering reminder that no sin is isolated, but also a beautiful testament to God’s mercy and desire to restore.

In this powerful episode of The Leader’s Notebook, Dr. Mark Rutland unpacks the story of Jezebel from 1 Kings 21—revealing how this ancient narrative exposes a manipulative and destructive spirit still at work today. Jezebel wasn’t just a historical figure; she represents a spirit of control that thrives in secrecy, manipulation, and ultimately, destruction. This episode explores how the Jezebel spirit operates behind the scenes, pulling strings for power without accountability. Dr. Rutland challenges listeners to recognize the signs, understand the pathology, and learn how to confront this spirit by bringing it into the light.

In Acts 13, the Holy Spirit speaks, and the Church is launched into its mission. In this episode, Dr. Mark Rutland unpacks how Acts 13 reveals a responsive, missional, and intentional Church, led by the voice of God. But does God still speak and move like that today? Dr. Rutland shares his own powerful testimony of hearing from God in 1981 and following His call, even when the path seemed impossible. The Holy Spirit is still speaking—are we listening?

Dr. Mark Rutland takes us to Acts 9 and 10, where Peter’s encounter in Joppa becomes a turning point for the gospel. A Roman centurion, a vision of unclean food becoming clean, and a divine command—God was stretching Peter beyond his understanding of the law. Was God telling him to break it? No, He was revealing a greater plan. As Peter wrestled with tradition, the answer came knocking—literally. Joppa wasn’t just a historical moment; it was the gateway to the Gentile world, shaping the future of the Church. Just as Jonah resisted Nineveh, Peter hesitated—but obedience in Joppa changed history. The Holy Spirit is always expanding our faith, challenging our expectations, and leading us into the unknown. Are you ready to follow?

Dr. Mark Rutland takes us to Acts 2, where Simon Peter boldly proclaims, “This is that”—connecting the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to Joel’s ancient prophecy. What happened in that Upper Room wasn’t just a historical event; it was the future breaking into the present. The early believers couldn’t fulfill their mission without the power of the Holy Spirit, and neither can we. In this episode, Dr. Rutland unpacks the deeper meaning of Pentecost, its connection to prophecy, and why the Holy Spirit remains essential for the Church today.

In this episode of The Leader's Notebook, Dr. Mark Rutland reads from Matthew 13:18-48. Jesus describes the Kingdom of Heaven through parables, like a multifaceted jewel, each parable revealing another glimpse of its splendor. The Kingdom is ruled by God, but in its outward form, it remains a mixture until Christ’s return—imperfect in us, yet divinely orchestrated. And just as a man gives everything for a great treasure, so Jesus gave everything for you. God, the King, is calling you to His table of grace. Will you see yourself as He sees you—worth everything?