The Family Bible Journey Podcast

The Heart Of God, Matt 9 NT S1:E14

Matthew inserts himself into his gospel by showing us that he was the sort of character that Jesus came to redeem. We learn how the plight of humanity tugs at God's heartstrings. In response, He reaches out to those who need His love and yearn for the life, love, and forgiveness that is only found in Him.

Affirmation, Genesis 26 OT S1:E20

God blesses Isaac a hundredfold in one year, even though he repeats the folly of his father by trying to pass his wife Rebecca off as his sister. When God affirms him, He affirms us, because we are blessed for the sake of another, just as Isaac was affirmed for the sake of his father Abraham.

A Family Divided, Genesis 25 OT S1:E19

Ever have God answer your prayers, but not how you wanted or expected Him to? If so, you know how Rebecca felt when God granted her prayer for a child, only to become pregnant with twins who were wrestling with each other within her womb. Today we learn of the burden of infertility, how God can create family, and the dynamics within this family that were evident before the boys were even born. 

Healing And Peace, Matt 8 NT S1:E13

Healing and peace are the themes of Jesus ministry when he returns home to Capernaum, following his Sermon on the Mount. He demonstrated His mighty power to heal, to cast out demons, and calm a storm. We are both encouraged by the centurion's humble faithful and challenged by the fearful hearts of the disciples in this chapter.

A Faithful Journey, Genesis 24 OT S1:E18

Abraham sends a servant back to Haran to find a wife for his son Isaac. God blesses his servant's journey by leading young, kind, faithful and strong Rebecca to  go with him to the land of promise to marry Isaac. In Isaac and Rebecca, we see a loving and committed couple, who will be a great blessing to us all.

Build On The Rock, Matt 7 NT S1:E12

Jesus concludes his sermon on the mount by encouraging his disciples to put his words into action in the familiar parable of the man who built his house on the rock. If we are to receive the benefit of God's Word, we must learn to listen to it for ourselves and apply it to our lives. If we fall into the trap of looking down on those who are suffering for not putting God's Word into practice, we are setting ourselves up for failure instead of the faithfulness God asks of His beloved saints.

Let’s Make A Deal, Genesis 23 OT S1:E17

Abraham loses the love of his life, Sarah. His wife was so devoted and loving that she even went along with some of his crazy schemes. Her death gives us opportunity to reflect on how we mourn.
We watch Abraham, in the midst of his grief, making a deal to procure for his wife a burial place. Here, we consider the place of God's people in the economy. As weird as some customs may seem, God blesses us to participate in the lives of those around us, regardless of the cultural and social norms of the place we find ourselves.

Sacrifice the Son of Promise, Genesis 22 OT S1:E16

When God asked Abraham to sacrifice his beloved Isaac, He tests the old man by seeing if he will listen and obey. In asking Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, the patriarch demonstrates how God is going to redeem humanity by sacrificing his only Son. There are so many parallels to what Jesus did on the cross that this is one of the clearest Old Testament types in the Bible.
The writer of Hebrews informs us that Abraham was able to go through with God's command because he believed that if went all the way through with God's request that God would raise Isaac from the dead, because of the promise that Isaac would be his heir. This legendary chapter of the Bible gives us opportunity to compare three types found in the New Testament as we grow in our knowledge and understanding of these powerful prophecies.

First Things First, Matt 6:19-34 NT S1:E11

When we put first things first, God orders our lives for us. When we give in to the three temptations of lust, greed, or worry, we diminish our own joy. Here Jesus teaches how seeking God and his righteousness fills us with peace.

C’Mon Man! Genesis 20-21 OT S1:E15

Abraham repeats his folly by passing Sarah off as his sister and giving her to yet another king as a wife. Thankfully, God intervenes and rescues them all from Abraham's foolishness. Following this foolish episode, Abraham and Sarah are blessed with their son Isaac.
This great news for Abraham and Sarah is bad news for Hagar and Ishmail, who are sent off into the desert. But God is there for them too, as he appears to Hagar and blesses them. This is good news for all who are neglected or abandoned, because God doesn't forget us when others cast us off.