2 Corinthians 4:6

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

What comes into your mind when you think of the face of Christ as an infant?

Who among us would choose to come into the world the way He did?

Even as an infant, He challenged the way of the world and the way of "me."

Right from the start, Jesus modeled humility, dependence and trust.

I will read to you from:

2 Corinthians 4:6-7

Luke 2:7

Isaiah 9:2

Matthew 1:19-20

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“Grace is the overflowing favor of God, and you can always count on it being available to draw upon as needed.”

Oswald Chambers

Our understanding of grace deepens over time, doesn’t it? Though the very first time we experience God’s grace seems like it would be the most impactful, still over time there is a tenderness that grows and grows. I suppose it’s because our relationship with Jesus grows and grows. 

In this episode, we will have a moment of remembering God’s grace toward us. I will end with a homespun version of "Amazing Grace" that I recorded with a microphone facing out the window to capture the amazing birdies singing along.

I also shared about my book, We Take Our Turns, which is now available on Amazon. If you'd like to purchase a copy or gift one to a friend, here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/Take-Our-Turns-Sherri-Youngward/dp/1934384356/

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This week, we are revisiting a favorite episode. We hope you enjoy going back with us.

Psalm 142:3

When my spirit faints within me,

you know my way!

In the path where I walk

they have hidden a trap for me.

In this episode, we will look at Psalm 142, which David wrote in an actual cave. There is much to learn from David in that room without a view.  

This Psalm met me recently and helped me identify some sneaky snares and traps. 

Once identified, it was much easier to step right over them. I hope you might identify your own and do the same. 

Even in the cave, there is hope.

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James 2:5 

Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?

As people who love and follow God, we can be both poor and rich at the same time. 

Poor means: helpless, powerless to accomplish an end, needy, lacking in anything.

In this episode, I will highlight the Source of our riches and consider how we might spend those riches while on Earth. It was helpful for me to remember what I have, and I hope the same for you. 

If you would like to support this podcast with a monthly or one-time donation, thank you!

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1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails—

F.B. Meyer wrote:

"Jesus sits for his portrait in these glowing sentences, and of him every clause is true."

As I have been reading through F.B. Meyer’s commentaries on 1 Corinthians 13, I took some time to learn more about him. I’ll share a mini biography with you in this episode. 

I found much encouragement by Meyer’s love and practical help for the poor and discarded. I hope you will too. 

My favorite description of him is this: A profound concern for people in need marked his life. 

If you would like to support this podcast with a monthly or one-time donation, thank you!

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1 Corinthians 13:13

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

FB MEYER wrote:

"God’s nature is not specially characterized by faith, because there is no uncertainty with his perfect knowledge; nor by hope, because there is no future to his eternal existence. But God is love; and to love is to resemble Him."

Though returned love is wonderful, often our greatest heartache revolves around those we love the most. Jesus was the perfect example of sacrificial love.

When we choose to love even when it’s hard, we resemble Him. A lot of my friends resemble Him right now. 

I will play the song, “Love Never Fails” at the end of this episode. It’s a homespun version recorded with my friend Gia on a little microphone that works with my phone.

I hope as you listen to 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 read and then sung, you might be encouraged in your strengths and find God’s help where you are weak. 

If you would like to support this podcast with a monthly or one-time donation, thank you!

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Welcome to The Restore Project—a series centered around Psalm 23. 

Here is Session 9.  

(Feel free to listen in any order.) 

Psalm 23:6

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD

forever.

This is the last episode of The Restore Project. I will go over some themes we’ve looked at in this series, kind of like when you skip a rock and it leaves rings where it’s been. Just a skim over.

Maybe you’ll hear something you want to revisit, or missed altogether. (Fun fact, I love skipping rocks.)

I will end with the song, "The Lord is My Shepherd," which is Psalm 23 in its entirety and is the third song I’ve written inspired by this Psalm. Well, I only wrote the music, David wrote the words.

Thank you for following along. 

If you would like to support this podcast with a monthly or one-time donation, thank you!

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Welcome to The Restore Project—a series centered around Psalm 23. 

Here is Session 8.  

(Feel free to listen in any order.) 

Psalm 23:1-3

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

In this episode, we will look at the Lord, our Shepherd, as our Guide. 

You follow a guide because they know more than you, they see what you can’t see — yet. They’ve gone before you and they’ve become an expert.

David Guzik wrote: The sheep didn’t need to know where the green pastures or still waters were; all he needed to know was where the shepherd was.

The shepherd would guide the sheep to what he needed.

We don’t have to navigate life on our own. We follow the Expert of experts. 

If you would like to support this podcast with a monthly or one-time donation, thank you!

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Welcome to The Restore Project—a series centered around Psalm 23. 

Here is Session 7.  

(Feel free to listen in any order.) 

Psalm 23:5

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

As I was preparing for this episode, I was particularly struck with the love and heart I have received from those who have prepared tables for me. Their example has helped me see the nature of Jesus in a new light. 

What love and promise in this verse. Think of all the Lord your Shepherd has prepared for you and continues to prepare for you. 

He gives us food that feeds our spirit. He gives us eternal words and daily bread. He even knows your food allergies and diet restrictions. He prepares a table before you— no matter what and who surrounds you. 

If you would like to support this podcast with a monthly or one-time donation, thank you!

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Welcome to The Restore Project—a series centered around Psalm 23. 

Here is Session 6.  

(Feel free to listen in any order.) 

2 Corinthians 12:10

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

Sometimes I expect way more from my human self than I have to give. I fight it and want to be more. Picture a sheep with a superhero cape. I am a new creation, but I am still bound by gravity, just like all of us.

I am deeply grateful that God chose to show both sides of the human tapestry in Scripture. Both the messy, tangled side full of mistakes, sin, defeat and doubt, and also the beautiful side filled with forgiveness, restoration, patience and healing.

Psalm 23 is the beautiful side of the tapestry. 

It took David a lot of messes and heartache to produce such art.  

If you would like to support this podcast with a monthly or one-time donation, thank you!

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