Bible in Life

God in the Ordinary | Hebrews 2:14-17

The "Christmas story" of Jesus' birth reminds us that God isn't an ivory tower God. He isn't one who keeps away from the peasants up in His luxurious castle. He's a God of the ordinary in the midst of the ordinary. 

This episode reflects on Hebrews 2:14-17 which tells us that Jesus' becoming 100% human was absolutely necessary to God's plan of rescue and renewal. 

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A Reflection on the Secret to Peace and Joy

What is the key to a life of peace and joy? 

In this episode I offer a simple reflection on how I would answer that question. 

 

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Why Did Paul Delay Announcing His Roman Citizenship and How Can that Help Us Follow Jesus? | Acts 16

The story of the Philippian jailer in Acts 16 is one of the more well-known stories in Acts. The whole story is powerful but there's a little detail that we often overlook. Paul could've avoided going to jail if he simply announced that he was a Roman citizen ... but he said nothing. 

At least at first. 

Then the next day, after he was beaten with rods, he announces it. Why this delay? And what does it teach us about following Jesus? 

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

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The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

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Your Uniquely Prepared Life | Acts 9 & the Life of Saul

Your life is uniquely prepared by God for his honor. This is abundantly clear in the case of Saul (aka the apostle Paul). He was born a Jew in a major Greek city with Roman citizenship. Mix all that together and Saul was the perfect person to be the apostle to the Gentiles.

If only he'd surrender it all to Jesus!  And he did. 

And you? Your background and experiences can be used by God is unique ways to bring him glory too ... if only you surrender all to him as well. 

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

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The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

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A Total Re-Orientation of Life | Acts 9 & Philippians 3

Saul's (the apostle Paul) conversion is one of the most dramatic stories in the book of Acts and certainly one of the most important conversions in all of Christian history. 

But beyond being an amazing story, it has an important lesson for us. In fact, later in his life, Paul invites us to learn from his conversion and imitate the impact it had on his life (see Philippians 3:12-17). 

Tune in to hear Paul's story and what it means for your life. 

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

Support this ministry:

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The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

Connect with me:

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What‘s the Greatest Threat to the Effectiveness of the Church? | Acts 4:32-5:11

Acts 5:1-11 contains one of the most shocking stories in the New Testament. It's the story of Ananias and Sapphira and it's a story we need to listen to. Luke has included this story to teach us a powerful lesson about the greatest threat to the effectiveness and progress of the church. 

 

Check out the Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

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Responding to Opposition Like the Apostles | Acts 4:23-31

When we encounter opposition to our faith in Jesus, often our knee-jerk prayer is for God to deal with those opposing us. Or for God to protect us. 

Neither of those is necessarily wrong. We see examples of both kinds of prayer in the Bible. 

But in Acts 4:23-31, the apostles pray in such a way that offers a real challenge to us. Their prayer is not for God to remove the opposition or to provide protection. Their prayer is for more boldness to do what God called them to do - to speak the message about Jesus. 

Even though it may bring hardship and difficulty. 

Even though it may garner pain. 

They pray for boldness to speak because that's what faithfulness to Jesus looks like. 

What if we focused on praying for the strength, courage, and even boldness to be faithful, regardless of the the costs or the outcome?

 

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

Support this ministry:

Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

 

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

Connect with me:

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What Does a Spirit-filled Church Look Like? | Acts 2:42-47

Acts 2 describes what happens when God first pours out his Spirit and begins the age of the Messiah. It's like the birthday of the church if you will, and it shows us what kind of community the Holy Spirit creates. 

It poses a real challenge to the church today ... and forces us to ask, what are we trying to create? What do we pour our time into? What metrics do we use to measure a "great church"? 

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

Support this ministry:

Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

 

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

Connect with me:

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Mocked, Ridiculed, and Mistreated - How Do Disciples Respond?

When we're mocked, insulted, attacked, or mistreated, how do followers of Jesus respond? 

Someone ridicules you or attacks you on social media.

A family member is rude and unkind.

A coworker or neighbor mistreats you. 

This is the stuff of everyday life, and the way of Jesus is incredibly unique in how we disciples respond to this stuff. 

The entire New Testament is clear that we don't respond in kind. Instead, we actively do good and bless them. 

In 1 Peter 3:9, the apostle Peter instructs us: "not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you would inherit a blessing."

 

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

Support this ministry:

Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

 

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

Connect with me:

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Email - john@johnwhittaker.net

If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

The Key to Freedom in Christ

In John 8:31-32, Jesus tells us the key to living free in Him. He says, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; ³² and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 

What does it mean to "continue" in His word? And how can we do that? 

Check out this episode as we explore the how to live free in Christ by engaging deeply in his word.

Support this ministry:

Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

 

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

 

Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: 7 Ways to Immediately Get More Out of the Bible 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/seven-ways

 

Connect with me:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - john@johnwhittaker.net

If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.