The Year I Read the Bible with Laurie Larsen

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The Samaritan woman at the well having a conversation with Jesus about living water.  The "Good Samaritan" who helped a Jewish traveler who was beaten and left for dead along the side of the road, as if being good was an exception for a Samaritan.  Several other mentions of Samaritans in the New Testament which don't paint them in a good light ... all lead me to wonder about today's topic.

We'll learn about the history of Samaritans -- how they came to be, and why Jews of Jesus's time disrespected them.  Joining me in this enlightening discussion is repeat guest Jacki Brey, founder and CEO of Feed My Peeps, a not-for-profit organization whose motto is Loving GOD, Moving FOOD & Feeding PEEPS!  You first met her in our November 25 episode, Odd Things Jesus Did and I know you'll love hearing her inspirational stories again, including some of her catchphrases:

• Hot Mess Express
• The harvest is ripe and the laborers are few
• Sharing the Gospel with a simple PB&J
• Loving on the Shake 'n Bake man who was losing his stuff in the middle of Wally World!

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Here's a question for you:  if you were walking around the region of Galilee in about 30 AD, and this man named Jesus was preaching about a New Way and gaining followers, would you believe?  Or would you be doubtful?

I honestly don't know, but I'll tell you one thing ... I'm so glad God put me on earth right now, when we have the benefit of the entire Bible, centuries of books and ministries and missionaries available to read and what about all the video resources we can put our hands on now?

I welcome back my guest Leslie Caperton who shares her thoughts on this topic as well as a ton of valuable resources that help her strengthen her faith and her knowledge.  I guarantee you'll find some that you'll like!

Bible Study Fellowship

Community Bible Studies

The Bible Project on YouTube

John McArthur's books

Gary Hamrick of Cornerstone Chapel

The Chosen

Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby

Right Now Media

Drive by Gospels

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Have you ever tried to promote a product or service? Did you spread the word far and wide so more and more people are aware of what you’re offering? 

When Jesus was walking the earth conducting his ministry, he often performed a miracle, then told people not to say anything to anyone!  Didn't he want the promotion? In this essay Laurie uncovers several reasons why Jesus would do this. 

Then Laurie welcomes her guest, Leslie Caperton -- friend, neighbor, devoted Christian and also a Pampered Chef consultant!  The ladies delve into this topic to try to enlighten us all about the reason behind Jesus's secrecy ... and ultimately the beautiful moment when he opened the gate and encouraged people to start sharing!

Check out Leslie's Pampered Chef site!

I also wanted to link to Psalm 22, the important psalm Leslie referenced as David's many prophecies of the coming Messiah. 

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Is it disrespectful to our perfect Lord Jesus to label some of the miracles he performed as "odd?" Hmmm.  How about those that involved spit?  There are several of them!  Laurie will share them, and also a very intriguing story that involved Jesus writing something mysterious in the dirt, along with several viable theories from Bible commentators regarding what exactly he was writing that caused a unanimous reaction from the Pharisees.

Laurie's guest today is the amazing Jacki Brey, founder of the charitable organization, Feed My Peeps.   Jacki is a fearless woman of God who has a unique take on some of Jesus's healing miracles because God has actually used Jacki as his instrument to heal others.  Please don't miss this inspirational and emotional episode!

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What is the United States' 16th President Abraham Lincoln doing in a series about the Bible?  Listen to find out and make up your own mind as to whether Jesus helped Honest Abe get elected!

My guest today is fellow former resident of the Land of Lincoln, and personal friend Beth Dulee. Beth shares her insight on whether God gets involved in the results of our elections.  And she shares a great example of situations when you work really hard to make something come true, and you truly want it, NOT get it, only to realize that God had something better and greater planned for you than you could've ever come up with on your own!  (Just like Lincoln losing his Senator race, which freed him up to serve as President two years later!)

We discuss many of the Lincoln sites in and around Illinois' state capital, Springfield.  I'll link those locations here in case you're close enough to take a road trip!

The Lincoln Home

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Lincoln's New Salem

The Lincoln Tomb

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We all go through bad times.  It’s part of the human condition. Life is not easy or perfect for anyone. But sometimes life becomes so hopeless and out of control that you can’t imagine ever turning the tide.

Jesus wants to help you get your life back.  In Mark 5, Jesus got in a boat, dragging his hesitant disciples specifically visit a demon-possessed, dirty, smelly, ostracized man in a predominantly pagan area who had never heard his message of forgiveness and redemption.  WHY?  Because he will go to whatever lengths necessary to approach us and love us.  Even when it's messy. And human lives are always messy. 

Joining me as my repeat guest is the vivacious and inspirational Lisa Pritchard! Visit these links to follow Lisa:  www.Praying-Prodigals.com 

https://www.facebook.com/LisaPritchardWrites

https://facebook.com/prayingprodigals01/

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What worked?  And who did it work for?

This episode is all about when Jesus, after being baptized by John the Baptist, went into the wilderness for forty days and forty nights, and in his hungry and thirsty state, was tempted by the Devil himself.  But Jesus stood strong by fighting Satan with God's word, the same words we read in our Bible.

Satan tempts Jesus's followers to this day, and we can fight him the same way.  But it takes some preparation now, while life is peaceful so we can use our weapons when the need arises.  Build an arsenal of Bible verses, memorize and use them against the enemy when he strikes.

My guest today is the engaging and faithful Lisa Pritchard. Lisa said, "Psalms are balms for the soul." She also shared her message with such enthusiasm that I said, "I feel like a Hallelujah! is in order!"  You won't want to miss this uplifting episode.

These are links for anyone who wants to learn more about Lisa:

www.Praying-Prodigals.com -This is where you can get more info about Lisa's Psalms Bible Study

https://www.facebook.com/LisaPritchardWrites

https://facebook.com/prayingprodigals01/

Also, Lisa shared her arsenal of Bible verses that she uses to combat the devil.  Here they are:

John 17:17

Exodus 14:14

James 4:7

1 Thessalonians 5:1 - 5

Isaiah 41:13

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Well, the super stores have Christmas merchandise out so ... yeah ... it's not too early to talk about Christmas! When you pull out your Nativity sets to decorate your home every December have you ever given thought to whether or not they're historically accurate?  Turns out ... most of what we think we know about the setting of Jesus's birth is NOT how we celebrate it. Of course, the most important fact of the holiday IS clear ... that our loving Father sent his Son to show us how much he loves us.  THAT will never change.

Laurie welcomes back return guest Melissa Henderson -- author, mother, grandmother and good friend.  Melissa shares her insights and thoughts about the birth of Jesus and urges us if we want to know the truth about the holiday, the Word of God is the only accurate place to look.  

Melissa mentions her published children's books.  If you'd like to check them out -- maybe as Christmas gifts for the favorite children in her life, click right here! 

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Our God is a god of the big and massive.  But he's also a god in the small details.  This concept is so evident in the story of Zechariah in the New Testament.  When you learn exactly how miraculous the circumstances were around the angel Gabriel's visit to Zechariah in the Temple to give him the news that his aged wife Elizabeth would give birth to the Messiah's predecessor -- it's gonna blow your mind!

Laurie's guest today is Christina Sinisi -- author, professor, friend and repeat guest from last week!  If you'd like to check out Christina's inspirational fiction, take a look right here.  

Also in case you haven't checked it out, here's The Year I Read the Bible in book form -- ebook, paperback, hardcover and audio!  If you're enjoying the podcast, maybe you'd enjoy the other formats -- or buy a gift for a friend!  

Also ... please consider sharing these weekly inspirational messages with your friends.  And while you're at it, leave a review wherever you listen.  THANK YOU FRIENDS!

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God leaves nothing to chance!  When he sends angels to go talk to the future earthly mother and father of his beloved son, he tells them exactly what to name the child.  Did you know the name Jesus means "The Lord Saves" and "Yahweh Saves." And Emmanuel means "God Is With Us."  It's all right there in the name!

Laurie has a heartwarming conversation with friend and author Christina Sinisi today.  Christina shares insightful comments about how God shows himself in our lives -- in the big and the small.  Also in today's episode, the ladies discuss their favorite worship songs and hymns, and we get to listen to Laurie's favorite and Christina's favorite.  Stay tuned for a fun and inspiring chat.

Take a look at Christina's body of work which she discussed on today's episode:

Christina's website 

Purchase links to all of Christina's books

And don't forget Laurie's body of work as well!