Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text

How can a believer live with real confidence that they belong to God, even while they still struggle with sin? 

In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, Krisan Marotta walks through key New Testament passages to show how God marks His people inwardly (by a changed heart that endures through testing) and how that mark becomes the basis of true assurance of salvation. 

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• Why the question “How do I know I’m saved?” is not only common but crucial
• The biblical idea of God “marking” His people—not outwardly, but by circumcising the heart
• How holiness is first a change in direction of the heart, not instant moral perfection
• The fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5 and what these qualities reveal about a heart inclined toward God 
• How the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 describe the inner life of those who will enter the kingdom of heaven 
• The difference between sinners who don’t care about their sin and “righteous sinners” who grieve it and hunger for righteousness
• Why common approaches to assurance—like relying on a remembered prayer or only on God’s general promises—can give false or incomplete comfort 
• How Romans 5 teaches that tested faith, proven through suffering and perseverance, produces a hope that “does not put us to shame” 
• Why God uses trials to reveal, both to us and to others, that His Spirit is truly at work in our hearts

After listening, you’ll come away with a clearer, more biblically grounded understanding of assurance. You’ll see that the evidence of salvation is not a flawless life or a perfectly steady heart, but a tested faith that continues to seek God, hate sin, and long for His kingdom. And you’ll be encouraged to view your trials not as proof that God has abandoned you, but as the very means by which He makes it visible that you belong to Him.

 Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.  

Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text

In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we confront a bold question: “How do you know you’re truly in the faith?” Drawing on Paul the Apostle’s letter to the church at Corinth (2 Corinthians 12–13), we explore how genuine faith is more than appearances, more than impressive speech or credentials. It’s about the living power of Christ at work in weakness and integrity in community.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• Why Paul refused financial support from the Corinthians and what that taught about his motives and their spiritual health.
• How Paul responded to accusations of deceit and weakness—not by hiding, but by pointing to God’s power in human frailty.
• The challenge and invitation of Paul’s command to “examine yourselves” to see whether you are in the faith.
• The difference between outward appearances (strong, impressive, successful) and the reality of Christ’s power working through brokenness.
• How Paul’s ultimate aim was not his own reputation but the restoration, maturity and unity of the church.

After listening you’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of how the gospel changes the way you view strength and weakness. You’ll feel encouraged that authentic faith isn’t about putting on a show—it’s about letting Christ live through you in honesty, dependence, and love for others. You’ll be equipped to ask yourself healthy questions about your own walk with God and your community in light of what Paul lays out here.

Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

 Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.  

Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text

In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we wrestle with one of the most surprising turns in the Christian life: sometimes faith doesn’t bring relief, it brings reliance. Turning to 2 Corinthians 12, we hear Paul the Apostle describe a persistent struggle, a “thorn in the flesh,” and how it becomes the very soil in which Christ’s power grows.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• Why Paul mentions his weakness and how that challenges our usual ideas of spiritual strength.
• What the “thorn in the flesh” might mean and why God didn’t remove it from Paul’s life.
• The key statement: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
• How admitting our limitations doesn’t mean giving up; it means opening space for God’s strength.
• Practical ways to live when the problem remains, the promise holds, and you are still waiting.

By the end of this episode you’ll understand that faith isn’t a guarantee of trouble-free living. You’ll feel the freedom that comes when you stop hiding your weakness and let the gospel carry you. And you’ll be equipped to walk through challenges with the confident humility that turns brokenness into a platform for God’s strength.

 Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

 Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.  

Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text

in this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we wrestle with a tough reality: just because someone looks like a spiritual leader does not mean they are pointing us to the true gospel. Drawing on 2 Corinthians 11, the Apostle Paul exposes the danger of “false apostles,”impressive-speaking teachers who distort the message of Christ. He invites us to discern leadership by substance, not style. 

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• How Paul uses the language of a betrothal to illustrate the church’s loyalty to Christ and the risk of being seduced by something false. 
• What Paul means when he calls his opponents “false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.” 
• Why eloquence and polish are not themselves proof of gospel truth and how Paul’s example flips our expectations. 
• The role of suffering, weakness, and authenticity in credible gospel leadership. 
• Practical ways to evaluate the teachers and voices you listen to: what questions to ask, what red flags to watch for, and how to hold to Christ even when others diverge.

By the end of this episode you’ll be equipped to recognize when a message sounds right but leads wrong. You’ll feel empowered to trust substance over surface, and you’ll be better able to choose leaders who reflect the true gospel. You’ll walk away with a clearer sense of how to ground your faith in Christ alone and follow him, no matter how polished the alternatives may appear.

 Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

 Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.  

Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text

in this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we look at what it really means to confront error with the meekness of Christ. Through 2 Corinthians 10, Krisan shows how Paul stands up to false teachers without copying their showy style, and how real spiritual authority uses strength to serve, not to impress.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• How 2 Corinthians fits together and why this confrontational section belongs in the same letter.
• The accusations against Paul that he is bold in letters but weak in person, and why his opponents see that as a flaw.
• What the meekness and gentleness of Christ look like in real leadership, and how Paul follows that pattern.
• Paul’s “warfare” language and what it means that his weapons have divine power to destroy arguments raised against the knowledge of God.
• The difference between leaders who commend themselves and build their brand, and an apostle who boasts only in what the Lord has truly given him.
• Why Christian leaders must care more about God’s approval than human applause, even when that makes them look unimpressive.
• A modern ministry story that shows how hard it can be to challenge a popular, charismatic leader when the truth of the gospel is at stake.
• Practical ways for churches and believers to evaluate teachers by faithfulness to truth instead of personality, polish, or platform.

By the end of this episode, you will better understand how Paul confronts lies without becoming harsh or self-protective. You will feel both challenged and reassured as you see that humble, servant-hearted leadership can still be strong and decisive. And you will be more equipped to evaluate the voices you listen to, to value truth over entertainment, and to stand for the gospel with the same mixture of gentleness and courage that Paul learned from Christ.

 Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

 Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.  

Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text

In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we rethink what it really means to give generously. Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 show that Christian giving is not about pressure, formulas, or getting rich. It is a voluntary response to grace that expresses our unity as God’s family and our trust that he will care for us as we care for others.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• The historical background of the Jerusalem collection and why it mattered so much to Paul.
• How this gift connected Gentile churches to their Jewish spiritual “family” in Jerusalem.
• Why giving to the collection was both an act of mercy and a confession of the gospel.
• How Paul handles money with integrity, including multiple trusted co-workers overseeing the funds.
• The difference between an apostolic command and an apostolic opinion, and why Paul chooses persuasion instead of pressure.
• What it means to give “according to what you have” rather than being pushed into hardship.
• How money exposes what we really trust, and why generosity is part of learning to love God and love our neighbor.

By the end of this episode, you will see giving in a richer and more hopeful light. You will understand why Paul cares more about cheerful, willing generosity than impressive amounts. You will feel encouraged to think about your own resources in terms of family, gratitude, and faith rather than fear or pressure. And you will be better equipped to use your money in ways that reflect the grace you have received and the unity you share with other believers.

 Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

 Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.  

Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text

In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we step behind 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 to uncover the story of the Jerusalem Collection. Krisan shows how this long term fundraising project was never just about money for a famine. It was about caring for real people in real need, healing tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers, and strengthening the bond between Paul and the original apostles in Jerusalem.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• What the Jerusalem Collection was and why it mattered so much to Paul.
• Paul’s early, fragile relationship with the Jerusalem church and how Barnabas helped bridge the gap.
• Key moments from Acts and Galatians that shaped the relationship between Paul, the apostles, and the Gentile churches.
• Why the question of Gentile believers and the Law created so much conflict and confusion.
• Why the apostles in Jerusalem asked Paul to "remember the poor" and how that became a long term calling.
• How this background helps us read 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 with fresh understanding instead of treating them as random fundraising tips.

By the end of this episode, you will see the Jerusalem Collection as a living picture of one worldwide church family, not a dry historical footnote. You will understand how generosity can express unity, gratitude, and shared faith across distance and difference. And you will be better able to read 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 in context, with a clearer sense of what God was doing through Paul, the Jerusalem apostles, and the many believers who gave so that others could stand firm in Christ.

 Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

 Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.  

Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text

In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we look at one of the hardest parts of real relationships: when to say the hard thing that might hurt in the moment but heal in the long run. Walking through 2 Corinthians 7:2-16, Krisan traces Paul’s emotional journey after sending a painful letter to the Corinthians and shows how God uses honest words, godly grief, and true repentance to restore broken fellowship.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• How this section fits into the story of Paul’s troubled relationship with the Corinthians.
• What was at stake in Paul’s “sorrowful letter” and why he risked sending it.
• The difference between godly grief that leads to repentance and worldly sorrow that leads to death.
• How the Corinthians’ response showed their real loyalty to Paul and to the gospel he preached.
• Practical questions to ask yourself when you are deciding whether to speak up or stay silent with a friend.

By the end of this episode, you will better understand how God can use painful conversations to bring real change, not just hurt feelings. You will see more clearly what godly grief looks like and why repentance is a gift you will never regret. And you will be better equipped to examine your own motives, to speak hard truth in love when needed, and to receive loving correction as part of God’s care for your soul.

 Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

 Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.  

Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text

in this episode of Wednesday in the Word, we look at what Paul really means when he warns believers not to be "unequally yoked." Far from a random rule about who you can associate with, this passage in 2 Corinthians 6:13-7:2 is a heartfelt plea for the Corinthians to open their hearts to Paul, turn away from idolatry, and recognize that believers and unbelievers are walking two very different roads.

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• How this section fits the flow of 2 Corinthians and why it is not an awkward interruption in Paul’s argument.
• The image of being "unequally yoked," where two very different animals try to pull together, and why that picture helps us understand Paul’s concern for the church.
• How this principle applies first to the local church, then to other relationships like marriage, business partnerships, and close ties that shape our daily choices.
• A simple "stoplight" way to evaluate relationships and commitments: green ties that help you follow Christ, yellow ties that pressure you off course, and red ties that require you to live as if God is not your God.

By the end of this episode, you will see that Paul’s warning about being unequally yoked is really an invitation to clarity and courage. You will better understand what it means to fear the Lord, to pursue holiness, and to recognize when a relationship or partnership is pulling you down the wrong road. You will feel encouraged to love unbelievers well without pretending you are headed in the same direction, and you will be more equipped to make wise choices about whom you walk closely with as you follow Christ.

 Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

 Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.  

Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text

What does it really mean to receive God’s grace in a way that changes you, not just your labels? 

Looking at 2 Corinthians 6:1-12, Krisan shows how Paul urges the Corinthians to stop judging by appearances, respond to the message of reconciliation, and treat the gospel like a check you actually cash, not a nice idea stuck on the fridge. 

In this week’s episode, we explore:

• How 2 Corinthians 6 connects to Paul’s call to “be reconciled to God” at the end of chapter 5
• What it means to “receive the grace of God in vain” and why Paul is not assuming everyone in the church is automatically a true believer
• Four core convictions that mark genuine saving faith, not just religious activity or church involvement
• Isaiah’s servant song and Paul’s claim that “now is the day of salvation” and the time of God’s favor
• Paul’s list of hardships and character qualities that actually commend him as a true servant of God, even though he looks weak and unsuccessful

By the end of this episode, you will have a clearer picture of what it means to truly respond to God’s grace instead of letting it slide past you. You will understand why Paul presses his readers to examine what they really value and who they really trust. You will feel both challenged and encouraged to stop judging the gospel by how flashy its messengers look, and instead to cling to the simple message that brings real reconciliation with God and real hope for your life.

 Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts

 Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.