Deep Spirituality
By Deep Spirituality
Check out our book "He's Not Who You Think He Is: Dropping Your Assumptions and Discovering God for Yourself" at deepspirituality.com/book.
Deep SpiritualityDec 08, 2022
The Spiritual Antidote to Self-Criticism | Mini Quiet Time
As humans, we have about 6,200 thoughts per day, and 80% of these thoughts are negative. The good news is that we don’t have to become mentalists in order to overcome the suffocating nature of self-criticism.
God, through the Bible teaches us the solution to self-criticism is through having a learner’s heart! Check out this video devotional to learn more about how to have a learner's heart that defeats self-critical thoughts.
Sign up for the 12 Days of Jesus course
Show Notes:
6,200 thoughts per day (Queen’s Gazette)
80% of our thoughts are negative (Queens University)
95% of our thoughts are repeating themselves day after day (Queens University)
1 John 3:18-22 MSG
Luke 22:31-32 Voice
Proverbs 11:2 AMP
2 Peter 1:1-3 CEV
2 Peter 1:8-9 CEV
How to Have Great Relationships | Scripture Playlists
Christianity is a relationship religion, and the Bible has a lot to say about how to have great friendships. Scripture says that God himself is love; so the closer we are to him, the more loving we will become. Jesus gives us the ultimate example of how to love, connect, and have deep relationships.
Check out this episode of Scripture Playlists to learn how to have the humility and love we need to build great relationships like Jesus did.
Show Notes
1 John 4:16,19 NLT
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT
John 15:13 NLT
Matthew 7:12 NCV
Philippians 2:3-5 NCV
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT
Proverbs 17:9 NLT
Proverbs 16:28 NLT
James 5:9 Voice
Proverbs 3:3-6 Voice
Proverbs 12:15 TLB
Matthew 5:14 MSG
Romans 12:16 ERV
Romans 13:8 MSG
Colossians 3:9-10 NIV
Galatians 5:25-26 NCV
Colossians 3:12-14 NLT
1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV
James 3:17 ERV
1 Peter 4:8 NLT
God Is the Source of Courage | Scripture Playlists
God is the source of all courage. When our relationship with him is close, courage comes naturally because we trust God to protect us. This means that we don’t have to be swept away by fear or worry in even the most stressful and scary circumstances.
Listen to these verses of the Bible that will fills us with courage that gives us strength, peace, understanding, patience, and hope.
Show Notes
Proverbs 1:33 TPT
Joshua 1:9 NIV
John 14:27 AMP
Isaiah 35:4 Voice
Isaiah 57:15 NLT
Psalm 23:1-4 GW
Matthew 14:24-27 NLT
Galatians 6:9 AMPC
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 GNT
Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT
The Blueprint for Living Spiritually | Deep Reads
A few weeks ago, we published our latest Featured Devotional by our editor in chief, Russ Ewell, entitled “The Blueprint for Living Spiritually: A five-step journey to a soul connection with God, through the footsteps of Jesus.”
We are excited to let you know that you can now listen to the Blueprint in its entirety on our website so you can listen as you read along.
We are introducing a new show format, called Deep Reads, in which we will narrate Featured Devotionals and release them as episodes on our podcast feed regularly.
To give you the best possible listening experience, we had this voiced by a great narrator rather than autogenerated text-to-speech. We will also be releasing smaller episodes for each section to allow you to more easily listen to the part you are looking to study.
We hope Deep Reads helps you get the most out of The Blueprint for Living Spiritually and many of our future devotionals! If you have any other ideas or requests, don’t hesitate to reply to this email, or drop us a line at podcast@deepspirituality.com.
00:00 Introduction
10:12 Soul on Fire
17:22 Soul Care
27:00 Soul Connection
32:59 Soul Purpose
42:38 Soul Power
51:32 Conclusion
The Power of Personal growth | Scripture Playlists
God loves us and is capable of doing far more than we could ask or imagine. He not only desires for us to grow but also enjoys the process of helping us become who we’re meant to be. Check out this Scripture Playlist to learn how God wants us to grow and change our lives.
Show Notes
Ephesians 1:5-8 NCV
Isaiah 41:10 TPT
Philippians 1:9 CEV
Hebrews 6:10-12 ERV
2 Peter 1:5-8 CEV
Galatians 6:9-10 NLT
Galatians 5:25-26 MSG
Philippians 3:12-14 NCV
Ephesians 4:15-16 NLT
Pray Your Way Out of the Pit (A Journey Through Psalm 40) | Scripture Playlists
Many things in life can lead us to the bottom of a pit—from challenging circumstances to problems of our own making—but in the end, it doesn’t really matter how we got there. What matters is we have a God who can always lift us out.
Listen to these verses of the Bible on how David teaches us how to pray our way out of any murky pit.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:14 Admit to God that you need his help.
1:42 Remember how God has moved in the past.
2:24 Surrender your will to God because he is good.
3:00 Pray about how your experience could help others.
3:34 Take responsibility for your own sins and ask for forgiveness.
4:11 Trust God to have your back.
4:50 Leave it in God’s hands.
Show Notes
Psalm 40:1-2 NIrV
Psalm 40:3-6 NIrV
Psalm 40:6-8 NIrV
Psalm 40:9-10 NIrV
Psalm 40:11-13 NIrV
Psalm 40:14-16 NIrV
Psalm 40:17 NIrV
Scriptures to Combat Self-Criticism | Scripture Playlists
Negative thoughts about ourselves can be debilitating and discouraging. Left unchecked, they can completely take over our minds and stop us from seeing ourselves and our lives from God’s perspective. God loves the deepest parts of who we are, and his purpose for us is greater than any flaw we may feel that we have.
Listen to these verses of the Bible to combat self-criticism with God’s love and truth.
Show Notes
Isaiah 55:8-9 ERV
Ephesians 2:10 NLT
1 John 3:19-21 Voice
1 John 3:18-20 MSG
Psalm 139:13-14,16 NIV
1 Samuel 16:7 NLT
Hebrews 3:12-13 CEV
Philippians 4:8 CEV
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NLT
Judges 6:15-16 NLT
Jeremiah 1:5-8 NLT
Psalm 139:17-18 NLT
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
Romans 8:1-2 BSB
Isaiah 43:1 NLT
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NCV
Positive Thought Life | Scripture Playlists
God cares about what we really think, not just about what we do. Instead of filling our minds with negative thoughts that make us feel guilty and distant from God, we can listen to his Word and train ourselves to think the way he does. His thoughts are higher than and completely different from ours. As we let him influence our thoughts, we will learn to think positively and spiritually about both ourselves and the world around us.
Let’s listen to this Scripture Playlist to learn what it means to have a positive thought life!
Show Notes
Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT
Psalm 139:1-2 NCV
Hebrews 4:12-13 NLT
1 Samuel 16:7 TLB
Proverbs 4:23 NCV
Ephesians 4:23 NLT
Romans 12:2 NLT
Hebrews 3:12 CEV
Colossians 3:15-16 CEV
Psalm 19:14 CEV
Colossians 3:2 NIV
Matthew 5:8 ERV
Matthew 6:31-34 NLT
Philippians 4:8-9 NLT
Becoming a Person of Conviction | Scripture Playlists
When our personal conviction comes from the Bible, we will be strong, courageous, and faithful to God through the ups and downs of life. We will also find the power and motivation to make changes in our lives, even when they’re not easy. We’ll be on our way to the full and satisfying life God wants us to live.
Let’s listen to this Scripture Playlist to learn how to become a person of conviction.
Show Notes
Hebrews 11:1 AMP
1 Thessalonians 1:4-7 NIV
Joshua 14:6-9 NIV
Hebrews 3:12-14 NIV
Luke 13:31-33 NIV
Acts 20:22-24 AMP
Romans 14:23 NLT
Romans 15:1-2 AMP
1 Corinthians 1:10 BSB
Colossians 4:12 AMPC
Hebrews 13:7 AMP
Anxiety and 10 Bible Passages on How to Beat It | Scripture Playlists
Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, and uneasiness. It’s an emotion that everyone experiences to different degrees, but it can affect our faith and make it hard to see beyond what’s right in front of us. Rather than letting anxiety drive us away from God, we can choose to let it bring us humbly toward him.
Listen to this Scripture Playlist of the Bible about anxiety and how our relationship with God can help us beat it.
Show Notes
Mark 4:19 NLT
Psalm 94:18-19 AMP
1 Peter 5:6-7 AMP
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Matthew 6:30-33 MSG
Psalm 55:2,5-8,22 VOICE
1 John 4:18 NIV
Philippians 4:6-7 GW
Proverbs 11:25 NLT
Psalm 23:4 NLT
The Art of Attaching to God | Scripture Playlists
Attaching to God is one of the greatest and most transformative experiences anyone can have. It's also incredibly challenging. Attachment requires a level of vulnerability that can feel uncomfortable, but it's worth it because it allows amazing things to happen in our lives.
Listen to this Scripture Playlist to learn to enjoy opening your heart to God and the deep connection with him that comes as a result.
Show Notes
John 15:4 GW
John 1:18 NIV
Psalm 90:1 AMP
Isaiah 49:15-16 Voice
Psalm 62:8 Voice
Psalm 61:2-4 NLT
Psalm 139:1-5 CEV
Psalm 139:23-24 NLT
Isaiah 28:12-13 NIrV
Matthew 13:15 NLT
Isaiah 43:10 NLT
Psalm 131:1-2 NLT
1 John 2:5 Voice
Colossians 2:18-19 NLT
James 4:7-8 TLB
Ephesians 3:17-19 NLT
Psalm 73:28 AMP
Leave the Past Behind | Scripture Playlists
Every day is a new day with God. He calls us to use our pasts to grow closer to him, not hold us back. God is a God of fresh starts, growth, and change. Whether it’s past pains, hurts, experiences, accomplishments, God wants us to look forward to his life and plan for us.
Listen to this Scripture Playlist to learn how to let go of our pasts and move forward in faith!
Show Notes:
Philippians 3:12-14 CEV
Jeremiah 29:11 GW
Titus 3:7 ERV
Revelation 21:4 CEV
Isaiah 43:18-19 AMP
Ephesians 3:20-21 AMP
2 Corinthians 5:17 CEV
1 Corinthians 10:13 VOICE
Nehemiah 9:12,16-17 NIrV
Habakkuk 2:3 AMP
Romans 15:4 AMP
Hebrews 10:32-39 GW
Philippians 1:6 CEV
Habakkuk 3:19 AMP
Romans 8:18 NIrV
Romans 8:28 Voice
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NIrV
Psalm 37:5 NET
Psalm 73:24 NLT
Ephesians 2:10 NLT
No One Is a Failure Who Has Friends | Mini Quiet Time
In this Mini Quiet Time, we learn how to handle painful feelings of discouragement in our spiritual lives. Jesus came for the moments we feel bruised and low. His goal was to serve people, and when we share that goal, there is no way we can fail. Through a story about four faithful friends in the Bible (along with a little inspiration from the holiday classic It's a Wonderful Life), we'll learn how to change our perspective and experience the truly wonderful life God wants us to enjoy. Join us for this episode about how no one is a failure who has friends.
Scriptures That Bring Peace in the Holiday Rush | Scripture Playlist
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and one of the busiest! When life speeds up, one of the biggest temptations many of us face is to stop spending time with God. But God is the only one who can bring true inner peace into our lives. No matter how fast life is going, we can find calm by listening to and trusting God’s Word more than our own ability to get things done.
Listen to our new Scripture Playlist to learn how to get peace from being close to God.
Show Notes:
Philippians 4:6-7 ERV
Luke 10:38-42 ERV
Isaiah 26:3 ERV
John 14:27 NCV
Psalm 46:10 ERV
Matthew 11:28-30 AMP
John 16:33 NIV
Colossians 3:15 ERV
Proverbs 17:1 CEV
Proverbs 16:7 NIV
Galatians 5:22-23 AMP
2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV
Scriptures to Make Your Marriage Merry
By staying close to God and following his guidance, we can fill our homes with joy, love, intimacy, and resilience. Listen to this Scripture Playlist to make your marriage truly merry during the brisk (and stressful) holiday months or any time of year.
Show Notes:
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIrV
Genesis 2:18, 24 CEV
Proverbs 18:22 NET
Proverbs 31:10-12,17,25 AMP
Proverbs 5:18-19 NCV
Hebrews 13:4 NCV
Proverbs 27:8 GW
Proverbs 19:14 NLT
Colossians 3:19 AMP
1 Corinthians 13:5-7 AMPC
Ephesians 5:25 AMP
Proverbs 17:9 NLT
Ephesians 5:33 AMP
Ephesians 4:26-27,31-32 NLT
Proverbs 25:24 NLT
Proverbs 17:1 TPT
1 Peter 3:1-5 AMP
1 Peter 3:7 AMP
How God’s Forgiveness Changes Our Lives | Scripture Playlists
God’s forgiveness is as deep as it is powerful. When we understand how personal the love and forgiveness of God is, our lives will change from the inside out. We will be filled with joy instead of regret, gratitude instead of guilt, and mercy instead of anger or resentment. Check out this Scripture Playlist to learn how God’s forgiveness can change your life.
Show Notes
Ephesians 1:5-8 NCV
Psalm 65:3 NLT
Romans 5:6-8 ERV
1 John 3:20 NLT
Psalm 103:8-14 NLT
Psalm 86:5 NLT
Psalm 32:1-2 NLT
Psalm 130:2-5 NLT
Mark 2:17 AMP
Luke 7:47 CEV
Matthew 6:14-15 AMP
1 Thessalonians 4:9 NIV
The God of Fresh Starts | Scripture Playlists
We all need fresh starts at some point in our lives, and regardless of how many mistakes we make or how little we feel we deserve it, God always gives us the strength to start again.
So in whatever area you feel like you need a fresh start today, enjoy this Scripture Playlist about how God will give us a new heart, a new way of thinking, and new strength to move forward. As you listen, take a minute to think about an area of your life where you need God’s help to start again and move forward. Ask him for help today, and you won’t be disappointed as you wait for his answer.
Show Notes
Lamentations 3:19-24 NCV
Romans 12:2 NLT
Psalm 40:1-3 NLT
Ezekiel 36:26-27 NLT
Genesis 17:15-16 ERV
2 Corinthians 4:7-8 ERV
James 4:10 NLT
Isaiah 40:29-31 AMP
Proverbs 24:16 NIrV
2 Corinthians 5:17-18 CEV
The Powerful Effects of a Grateful Heart
When we’re truly grateful for the love God shows us and the good things he does for us, our lives will change in ways we could never imagine. Fixing our hearts on the things we are grateful for will compel us to share these things with others as well. Listen to this Scripture Playlist to learn about the power of a grateful heart.
Show Notes:
Psalm 107:1 NIV
Psalm 50:14 CEV
Psalm 118:1 CEV
Psalm 50:23 CEV
Colossians 4:2 ERV
Philippians 4:6-7 CEV
Colossians 3:15 CEV
Psalm 16:8-9 GNT
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 CEV
Psalm 28:7 NET
Colossians 3:16 NLT
Romans 1:21 CSB
Psalm 92:1-4 CEV
1 Timothy 2:1 CEV
2 Timothy 1:3 CEV
Philippians 1:3,5 ERV
Psalm 119:7 NLT
Colossians 2:6-7 GW
Ephesians 5:4 ERV
Psalm 75:1 NLT
1 Timothy 1:12 NIrV
2 Corinthians 2:14 CEV
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 GW
The Pretender’s Playlist: How the Bible Sets us Free to Be Ourselves | Scripture Playlist
Sometimes, it’s hard to be ourselves. Fear of rejection can make us hide who we really are. We cover up our sins, insecurities, and mistakes and pretend to be people we’re not. But one of the most amazing things about having a relationship with God is he frees us up to be ourselves. The Bible can help us overcome our fear and be honest about anything so that we can build close friendships with God and other people. Check out this Scripture Playlist to learn more about how to be set free from pretending and build a deeper connection with God and people.
Show Notes
Matthew 6:6 MSG
Psalm 139:1-6,17 NIrV
Psalm 32:2 NLT
Proverbs 28:1 GNT
Isaiah 26:7 ERV
Psalm 97:11 NCV
Psalm 32:2-5 NIV
John 3:19-21 NIV
Psalm 51:16-17 MSG
1 Samuel 16:7 NLT
Luke 18:10-14 NLT
20 Scriptures that Will Change How You See God
The Bible is a book that tells the story of God's relationship with us. It is filled with stories, poems, songs, and letters showing how God created us and the world we live in with the sole purpose of establishing a connection with his beloved people. However, our perception of God may not always be accurate. To help us keep our hearts and minds focused on who God truly is, we can revisit key passages that remind us that God protects us, shows us mercy, empowers us, and cares about us.
Show Notes
2 Samuel 22:33 NLT
Psalm 56:9 NLT
Nahum 1:7 NLT
Psalm 18:2 NLT
Psalm 121:5 CSB
Luke 1:78 GNT
Psalm 103:8 NLT
Psalm 103:9-10 NLT
1 John 3:20 NLT
2 Peter 3:9 CEV
Habakkuk 3:19 AMP
Psalm 54:4 AMP
Psalm 46:1 NLT
Isaiah 12:2 NLT
Psalm 16:8 NLT
Psalm 104:34 ERV
Psalm 103:13 ERV
Deuteronomy 33:27 CEV
Psalm 116:7 ERV
1 John 4:16 NLT
How Do I Get Lasting Confidence? | Mini Quiet Time
What do you rely on to feel confident? If it's something shakeable—like ourselves, our abilities, or other people's opinions—we will feel fragile and insecure. God wants to give us lasting confidence and teaches us how to get it through his early disciples. Check out this episode of Mini Quiet Time to learn more about how to get confidence that lasts!
Show Notes:
Job 8:14-15 NLT
Acts 4:7-12 NLT
Acts 4:13 TPT
Acts 4:23-24,29-31 NLT
God Heals | Scripture Playlists
God desires to bring healing into our lives. Sometimes the healing we need is physical, but perhaps even more often, it’s spiritual and emotional. We may need healing from painful situations that have happened to us, or from the effects of our own sinful choices. Understanding God’s desire and power to heal will help us reveal the parts of our hearts that need it.
Check out this Scripture Playlist to learn how God can bringing healing into our lives.
Show Notes
Psalm 147:3 MEV
Proverbs 4:20-22 NLT
James 5:16 NLT
Malachi 4:2 NLT
Romans 8:3-4 MSG
Luke 5:17 NLT
Luke 7:21 CEV
Isaiah 57:18-19 ERV
Psalm 107:17-21 NLT
Jeremiah 3:22 NLT
Psalm 146:7-8 CEV
Hosea 14:4 NLT
Acts 10:38 NLT
Mark 1:40-41 NLT
Proverbs 12:18 NLT
Jeremiah 30:17 AMP
Matthew 13:15 NLT
Proverbs 3:5-8 GW
Isaiah 53:4-5 NLT
Isaiah 58:8 CEV
Psalm 103:2-4 NLT
Stop Being Afraid of Failure | Scripture Playlists
Fear of failure can stop us from taking chances, pursuing what God wants, and growing into who we’re meant to be. Luckily, God can help us overcome this fear. With him on our side, we can be confident that failure isn’t fatal—it’s just part of growing! God can shape everything into something good, and even if we fail, he will never fail us. He can turn every mistake into something that shapes us into who we are meant to be. Listen to this Scripture Playlist episode to bolster your courage so that you can grow in the ways God is calling you to.
Show Notes
Psalm 112:6-9 GNT
Ecclesiastes 11:4,6 NLT
Proverbs 24:16 NLT
Micah 7:7-8 NLT
Ephesians 2:4-5 GW
Psalm 62:1-2 TPT
Habakkuk 3:17-19 CEV
Romans 7:24-25 NIrV
1 Corinthians 13:7-8 CEV
Numbers 23:19 NLT
1 Chronicles 28:20 NLT
Psalm 73:26 NLT
Psalm 107:17-20 CEV
Isaiah 55:10-11 GNT
James 1:5 TPT
1 John 3:20-21 TPT
Joshua 23:14 NIV
Luke 19:26 MSG
Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT
Psalm 32:4-5 MSG
Romans 8:35,37-39 NLT
A Spiritual Growth Mindset | Scripture Playlists
A psychologist named Carol Dweck coined the terms “fixed mindset” and “growth mindset” in 2006. Having a “fixed mindset” means we think things like “This is just how I am," “I’ve never been good at this,” or “I’m not cut out for this.” A growth mindset says, “I don’t know how to do this yet, but I can learn.”
Having a growth mindset is tied to improved mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being. So it’s no surprise then that it’s also essential to our relationship with God. The idea of having a growth mindset is all over the Bible; God works through everything to help us become who he destined us to be. We don’t have to feel stuck or defined by how we’ve lived so far. Instead, we can embrace that everything in our lives—the good, the bad, and the ugly—is part of the process of becoming who we are meant to be.
Listen to this episode of Scripture Playlist to start seeing everything in your life with a mindset of continual spiritual growth and learning.
Show Notes:
Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset Article: https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/growth-mindset-vs-fixed-mindset#:~:text=Someone%20with%20a%20growth%20mindset,stable%20and%20unchangeable%20over%20time
The Influence of Growth Mindset on the Mental Health and Life Events of College Students Article: https://ggie.berkeley.edu/student-well-being/growth-mindset-for-students/#:~:text=Much%20of%20the%20research%20on,for%20different%20subgroups%20of%20students).
‘Growth Mindset’ Linked to Higher Test Scores, Student Well-Being in Global Study Article: https://www.edweek.org/leadership/growth-mindset-linked-to-higher-test-scores-student-well-being-in-global-study/2021/04
Philippians 1:9 NLT
James 1:2-4 NLT
Philippians 1:6 NLT
Philippians 3:12 ERV
1 Corinthians 3:6-7 NLT
Acts 20:32 GW
1 Corinthians 10:23 GW
Romans 1:11 NLT
Romans 15:2 ERV
Ephesians 1:16-17 NLT
Romans 12:2 NIrV
Colossians 1:28 CEV
Colossians 3:8-10 ERV
1 Thessalonians 5:11 ERV
Colossians 4:12 ERV
2 Peter 1:5-9 CEV
Acts 9:31 CEV
2 Timothy 1:6-7 ERV
1 Timothy 4:15-16 Voice
Colossians 2:6-7 NIrV
2 Peter 3:18 CEV
Ephesians 4:13-16 NLT
2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT
Loving God's Word | Scripture Playlists
It’s easy to read the Bible and forget the significance of the book we’re reading. Sometimes it becomes a chore we grind through or a hobby we squeeze in. The truth is, reading the Bible gives us direct access to the voice and power of God. We get to hear how he feels about us, what he wants for our lives, what he promises, and most importantly, who he really is. To truly love God is to value and listen to his Words, just as we would in any other relationship we care about.
Check out this episode of Scripture Playlist to learn about how to truly love God's Word.
Show Notes
John 1:1-5 NLT
Psalm 119:47-48 TLB
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 GW
Psalm 119:43-44 TLB
John 14:23 TPT
Psalm 119:12-16 ESV
Psalm 1:2-3 Voice
Psalm 119:28-32 TLB
Matthew 4:4 NLT
Psalm 119:66-68 NCV
Psalm 119:72 TPT
Psalm 119:92-94 CEV
1 Thessalonians 2:13 NIrV
Psalm 119:97-98 NLT
Psalm 119:102-103 TPT
Psalm 119:111-112 NLT
Proverbs 2:1-5 NLT
Psalm 119:127-128 Voice
Psalm 119:140-141 ERV
Psalm 40:8 TPT
Psalm 119:159-160 NLT
Colossians 3:16-17 GW
Psalm 119:163-165 NLT
Psalm 119:167-168 NLT
When I'm Angry | Scripture Playlists
Anger is a normal human emotion, but the way we handle it has a huge impact on our relationships with other people and with God. If we give full vent to it, we usually end up hurting the people around us; if we suppress it or ignore it we tend to get bitter and hardened. While it isn’t wrong to feel angry, God can give us the power to handle this emotion in a spiritual and helpful way. Listen to this Scripture Playlist for when you feel angry.
Show Notes
James 1:19-21 NLT
Ephesians 4:26-27 AMP
Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT
Psalm 37:5-8 NLT
Psalm 86:15 NIrV
Colossians 3:8-10 ERV
Colossians 3:12-13 ERV
Proverbs 29:11 TPT
Psalm 73:21-23 NLT
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NIV
Psalm 62:8 CEV
Hebrews 12:14-15 NLT
Leviticus 19:18 CEV
Job 36:13 NLT
Matthew 5:21-24 ERV
Luke 6:27-31 GNT
1 Timothy 2:8 NLT
Matthew 6:14-15 AMP
2 Timothy 2:16-17 TLB
Proverbs 16:32 CEV
Proverbs 30:33 GNT
Romans 12:17-21 NLT
Galatians 5:22-23 AMPC
1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 AMP
Ephesians 2:16-17 TLB
Think of Others | Scripture Playlists
How much of our mental energy is spent thinking about ourselves? Thinking about others is a deliberate choice, and while it doesn’t always come naturally to us, it’s the most inspiring way we can live our lives. Jesus is the greatest example of unselfish love; he cared deeply about you and me, and can teach us to live a life of impact by following in his footsteps. Listen to this Scripture Playlist to get your mind off yourself and onto the ways you can brighten someone else’s day today.
Show Notes
Proverbs 11:25 NLT
1 John 3:18-20 MSG
Philippians 2:1-4 NLT
James 3:16-17 NIrV
Luke 6:38 ERV
Matthew 16:24-26 ERV
Matthew 25:35-40 NLT
John 15:12-13 AMP
Romans 12:9-10,13 CEV
Galatians 5:13-15 NLT
2 Peter 3:3 CEV
1 Peter 4:10 NLT
Hebrews 10:24 NLT
John 13:34-35 AMP
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NIV
1 John 2:15-17 MSG
Galatians 6:2-3 NLT
Ephesians 5:19-21 CEV
1 John 4:12 AMP
Romans 15:1-2 NIrV
1 Peter 4:8 NLT
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 CEV
Philippians 2:19-21 CEV
2 Timothy 2:8 GW
God Teaches Me To Love | Scripture Playlists
As humans, we often have a difficult time loving others in the genuine and unselfish way God intends. But God loves us unfailingly. He is our greatest example of love, and from him, we can learn how to love the people around us. Listen to this episode of Scripture Playlist to learn how your relationship with God will teach you to genuinely love other people.
Show Notes
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 NLT
Luke 6:35-36 ERV
Romans 5:8 NKJV
Proverbs 3:2-3 ERV
1 John 4:16-17 NLT
1 John 4:19-20 NLT
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NLT
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT
Colossians 3:12-15 NLT
Ephesians 4:14-16 NLT
Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT
Ephesians 5:1-2 MSG
John 3:16-17 NLT
2 Timothy 1:13 NLT
John 13:34-35 NLT
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT
Ephesians 3:17-19 NLT
1 John 3:16 ERV
Matthew 11:28-29 ERV
2 John 1:5-6 NLT
2 John 1:2 CEV
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 ERV
God Relieves My Guilt | Scripture Playlists
The Bible describes guilt as an overwhelmingly heavy burden. God wants to relieve us of this burden, but we often don’t let him. Instead, we try to find relief from things that can’t provide it. People can’t take away our guilt, and neither can hiding it, lying about it, or justifying it. Only God can take away our guilt through his forgiveness, compassion, and mercy. These Bible verses will help us come to God when we feel guilty so that we can discover the relief only he can provide.
Show Notes
Psalm 51:1-2 TPT
Psalm 32:1-5 NLT
Psalm 103:8-12 TPT
Romans 8:33-34 ERV
Isaiah 6:7 RSV
1 John 1:9 NIrV
1 John 1:7 AMPC
Romans 5:8-9 AMP
Isaiah 1:18 TLB
Psalm 38:4 NLT
Hebrews 9:14 NLT
John 1:29 NLT
Isaiah 53:4-6 ERV
2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT
Titus 2:14 GNT
1 John 3:20-22 NLT
Hebrews 10:22 ERV
James 5:16 NLT
Jeremiah 31:33-34 CSB
Scriptures on Inner Strength | Scripture Playlists
God knows that we can’t muscle through the trials of life on our own. With him by our side, we can endure and even conquer any trials life throws at us because he is the God who gives us inner strength. Listen to this episode of our Scripture Playlists for some internal strengthening!
Show Notes:
Psalm 28:8 NIV
Psalm 32:4 TPT
Psalm 138:3 AMPC
2 Corinthians 4:16 TLB
Ephesians 3:14 MSG
Ephesians 3:16 AMP
Philippians 4:13 AMPC
2 Timothy 1:8 TLB
Hebrews 13:9 GNT
Psalm 73:25-26 Voice
1 Samuel 30:6 AMP
2 Corinthians 4:7 TLB
Isaiah 41:10 TPT
Isaiah 40:29-31 CSB
Jeremiah 17:7-8 ERV
1 Chronicles 16:11 AMPC
Psalm 46:1-3 AMP
Exodus 15:2 NLT
Psalm 84:5-7 NLT
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NLT
2 Chronicles 16:9 NLT
Change My Heart | Scripture Playlists
The heart is powerful. It’s powerful enough to determine the course of our lives: what we feel, what we say, and what we do. That’s why our hearts are so important to our relationship with God. Being close to him and living out his purpose for us means letting him not only change the way we act, but also change our hearts. Check out this Scripture Playlist to learn more about how God can change us from the inside out.
Show Notes:
Proverbs 4:23 NLT
Ezekiel 36:26-27 NLT
Acts 13:22 NLT
Acts 16:14 NLT
Mark 7:19-23 NLT
Deuteronomy 10:16-17 NLT
Jeremiah 24:6-7 NLT
Romans 2:29 NLT
Psalm 51:10 TPT
Hebrews 3:12-13 NLT
Ephesians 4:21-24 NLT
Matthew 4:17 NCV
Matthew 15:8-9 NIV
Acts 3:19-20 ERV
Deuteronomy 30:6 NLT
Romans 2:4 NCV
Revelation 2:2-5 ERV
Psalm 119:2,10 CEV
Luke 6:45 NLT
Psalm 139:23-24 NLT
Matthew 22:36-38 NIV
How Do I Make Change Last? A Lesson from The First Disciples in Acts
Nothing beats the adrenaline rush of being motivated to make a change, but how do you make that change last? Lasting change is hard for us humans, but it’s not hard for God. In fact, it’s one of the greatest things about having a relationship with God; God’s incredible power is always available to us, and it can change us from the inside out.
The book of Acts in the Bible tells us about regular people who relied on God to help them change. Their change not only lasted but also caught the attention of people around them, who caught the vision that God could help them change too.
So what do you want to change? Let’s learn from the first Christians in Acts 2 how to let God’s incredible power change us from the inside out.
Show Notes:
Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT
Acts 2:1-6,12 NIrV
Acts 2:36-39 NIrV
Acts 2:42-47 NIrV
God, The Ultimate Father | Scripture Playlists
Show Notes:
Psalm 103:13-14 NLT
Romans 8:14-16 ERV
Luke 11:2-4 NLT
Psalm 68:5 NLT
Proverbs 3:11-12 NLT
Hebrews 12:9-10 NLT
James 1:17-18 NLT
Isaiah 64:8 Voice
Psalm 27:10 NLT
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT
Matthew 7:9-11 NLT
Ephesians 1:4-5 GNT
Ephesians 2:19-21 NLT
2 Samuel 7:14 CEV
Deuteronomy 1:30-31 AMP
Galatians 4:6 CEV
1 John 3:1 Voice
1 Corinthians 8:5-6 NLT
Matthew 6:6 GNT
Luke 12:32 TLB
Jesus Believes In Us: The Church That Changes The World, Part 9 | One Quick Thought
There's nothing better than having someone believe in us. Sometimes it can be difficult to believe in ourselves when we see all of our flaws and weaknesses, but it's possible to be self-aware without being self-critical. Being self-aware means knowing how and where we need to grow. Even if we haven't arrived yet, we believe we can get there because Jesus believes in us.
What made the New Testament church so incredible was they became like Jesus in this world. They believed that God believed in them, and so they had the faith to believe in others too. Learn more in our last episode of this One Quick Thought series about how Jesus changed the world.
Show Notes
- Mark 4:39-40 NLT
- Luke 17:6 NIV
- Acts 26:15-16,18-19 NIV
The Secret to a Life of Impact: The Church That Changes The World, Part 8 | One Quick Thought
When we believe that the Bible is truly the Word of God and live it out, we will live lives of impact. We're all looking for purpose, but the greatest impact we can make is giving the Gospel to people—the Gospel that Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected so that we could have forgiveness for our sins and access to God's destiny for us. Check out this episode of One Quick Thought as we continue our series about the church that changes the world.
Show Notes
- Hebrews 4:12 NLT
- Mark 7:36-37 NLT
- A Prophet with Honor: The Billy Graham Story, William C. Martin
- Acts 5:12 NLT
How Do I Make God Real to Me? The Story of Jacob's Struggle with God | Mini Quiet Time
God wants to be real to us–he wants us to see him through our own eyes, not through the eyes of our parents, our friends, a person in a church, or the world around us. Today’s story is about a guy named Jacob who discovered God for himself by getting into a fight with him. Check out this Mini Quiet Time episode to learn from the story of Jacob that God becomes real to us when we stop running from who we are.
Show Notes:
Job 19:27 NIrV
Genesis 32:7-9,11,21 NIV
Genesis 32:24-25 NIV
He's Not Who You Think He Is: Dropping Your Assumptions and Discovering God for Yourself, Russ Ewell
Genesis 32:26-28 NIV
God Is Enough | Scripture Playlists
One of the many great things about having a personal friendship with God is that he satisfies. We don’t have to keep chasing unreliable things like attention, approval, or achievement to make us happy—we have a source of security and love in our lives that won’t change, on our good days or our bad days. To learn more about how to build this kind of secure, satisfying friendship with God, listen to this Scripture Playlist episode about how God is enough for us.
Show Notes
Psalm 23:1-3 TPT
John 4:13-14 AMP
Psalm 142:5 ERV
Hebrews 13:5 CEV
Philippians 4:11-13 GW
Psalm 73:25-26 Voice
Psalm 73:28 ERV
Lamentations 3:19-24 CEV
Psalm 63:1,5 NLT
Psalm 90:14 NLT
Psalm 131:1-2 GNT
Philippians 3:8-9 CEV
James 1:3-4 NLT
Isaiah 58:11 NCV
Matthew 5:6 AMP
Proverbs 19:23 AMP
Psalm 107:9 NRSV
Jeremiah 31:25 Voice
2 Corinthians 12:9 TPT
John 10:10 NLT
Ephesians 3:18-19 NLT
How to Fight the Temptation to Quit: The Church That Changes the World, Part 7 | One Quick Thought
Endurance is one of the most important qualities Jesus had, and it's one we should all learn to develop if we want to change the world the way he did. Pain makes us break down, and the pain that is most difficult to handle is the pain that comes from sin. Talking about sin not only releases us from its mastery over our lives, but also helps us develop the endurance to resist it. Jesus endured the pressures of sin, and we can learn from him how to do the same. Check out this episode of One Quick Thought to learn more about how Jesus changed the world.
Show Notes:
- Hebrews 12:3-4 Voice
- 1 John 2:1 NLT
- Peace with God, Billy Graham
- Acts 8:20-23 NIV
Discussion Questions
- What is your view of sin? Do you avoid talking about it, deny its existence, or talk about and resist it?
- What is a sin that has been difficult to resist lately? How can you and your friends help each other change this week?
A New Way To Think About Church | Audiobook Preview
The church we read about in the New Testament was not made strong by the celebrity of an individual superstar preacher. It was made strong by the powerful walk with God of each individual Christian, which collectively made the early church a transformative force in the world. This transformative church can live again, but it will require a paradigm shift in how we live and lead in our churches.
Check out this snippet from Chapter 7 from the audio version of our new book, He's Not Who You Think He Is: Dropping Your Assumptions and Discovering God for Yourself.
Show Notes
- Reinventing Education: Entrepreneurship in America's Public Schools, Louis V. Gerstner
- Acts 11:19–21 NIV
- Acts 11:26 NIV
- Discovering the Future: The Business of Paradigms, Joel Barker
- Built to Last, Jim Collins
5 Qualities Of A Biblical Church: The Church That Changes the World, Part 6 | One Quick Thought
As we continue our series on building a church that changes the world, we have to decide whether we want a biblical or a traditional church. The church of the New Testament embodied five qualities that we can learn from if we want to build a biblical church: conviction, transparency, discipleship, purpose, and unity. Watch this episode of One Quick Thought to learn more about how Jesus changed the world.
Show Notes
- John 15:1-8 NLT
- Ephesians 4:11-16 NLT
- Matthew 28:16-20 NLT
- John 17:21 NLT
Discussion Questions
- Which of the five qualities do you see you need to grow the most in: conviction, transparency, discipleship, purpose, or unity?
- What are some practical steps you and your friends could take to grow in those qualities this week?
How Do I Help a Friend Through a Storm? | Mini Quiet Time
Have you ever watched a friend go through a storm, and felt powerless to help? Or maybe you tried to help and made it worse? God is the ultimate friend to us when we go through storms, and he can show us how to be a good friend to other people. Check out this Mini Quiet Time to learn how Jesus helped Peter through a tumultuous time, and how we can follow his example by being a calm and steady presence in our friends' storms.
Show Notes:
Proverbs 17:17 NIV
Matthew 14:22-32 ERV
The Unmistakable Power of Humility: The Church That Changes the World, Part 5 | One Quick Thought
Jesus shows us how to walk with God. Even though he was equal to God, he chose to humble himself in prayer and rely on God's power. Our human pride makes us strive, push, and work to get things done, but we end up missing out on the humility that comes with walking with God. Humility is the core of Jesus's relationship with God, and it's what he taught the New Testament church to have. Check out this part of our series about how Jesus changed the world to learn to walk with God in powerful humility like Jesus did.
Show Notes
- Hebrews 5:7 NLT
- "Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, over out of having more than the next man." — CS Lewis
- Acts 4:29 NLT
Emotional Rebuilding | Audiobook Preview
Many people come to God expecting a quick miracle that will make everything better. What the Bible actually emphasizes is "building," which is a long-term view of life. Those whose lives collapse almost always have ignored building the emotional aspect of their spiritual lives—they were not willing to dig down deep. Building or rebuilding our emotional lives will allow us to grow our character as we walk with God and develop our strength from the inside out.
Check out this excerpt from chapter six of our new book, He's Not Who You Think He Is: Dropping Your Assumptions and Discovering God for Yourself, which is available now on Amazon!
- Luke 6:47–49 NIV
- Ephesians 3:16–19 NIV
- Proverbs 15:4 NLT
- 2 Chronicles 6:29–31 NIV
- Proverbs 18:24 NIV
- Psalm 15:1–2 NIV
- Proverbs 26:24 NIV
- Psalm 36:1–2 NIV
- Psalm 51:6 NLT
- Hebrews 3:12–13 NIV
- Hebrews 5:11–14 NIV
- 1 Corinthians 12:18–21 NIV
Did You Ever Want To Change the World? The Church That Changes the World, Part 4 | One Quick Thought
A lot of people are searching for hope right now, and we can find that hope if we look at Jesus. Jesus wanted the church to be built on hope. In this episode, we learn how to build a church on hope the way Jesus did—by cultivating purpose, humility, endurance, impact, and inspiration. Check out this episode of One Quick Thought to learn more about how Jesus changed the world.
Show Notes:
Luke 19:9-10 ERV
Thirty Years That Changed the World: The Book Acts for Today
Acts 2:36-38 NLT
Never Give Up! | Scripture Playlists
When we feel discouraged about something we’re trying to do, it’s easy to get tired and lose heart. In our moments of frustration and failure, we need to turn to God and his Word to find the strength to keep going. Check out this Scripture Playlist for Bible verses that help us believe our efforts make a difference.
Show Notes
Colossians 4:2 CEV
Galatians 6:9 NASB95
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 CEV
1 Corinthians 15:58 AMP
Isaiah 54:10 TPT
1 Corinthians 1:7-9 MSG
2 Corinthians 6:4 ERV
Ephesians 6:18 ERV
Psalm 34:18 CEV
Deuteronomy 20:3-4 NLT
2 Thessalonians 3:13 AMP
Psalm 119:25 TLB
Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV
Psalm 61:2 GW
1 Chronicles 22:13 NLT
Isaiah 42:1-4 NLT
Isaiah 49:4 CEV
Hebrews 6:9-11 Voice
2 Corinthians 7:5-6 NLT
Colossians 2:6-7 TPT
James 1:2-4 CEV
2 Timothy 4:7 BSB
Hebrews 10:35-36 ERV
Hebrews 3:6-8 CEV
1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV
The River, The Tree, And My Friends | Audiobook Preview
In this excerpt from our audiobook, He's Not Who You Think He Is: Dropping Your Assumptions and Discovering God for Yourself, we look at a section in chapter 3, "When People Become God." When we experience the seemingly inevitable spiritual burnout cycle, we could easily blame God or the church, but doing so only deepens our focus on people.
Returning to God is the only way we can stop living for people, stop being afraid of being different, and rediscover what it means to think differently — we need to experience a turning point. Listen as Russ describes three turning points in his life that brought him closer to God.
📖 Read Our NEW Book ... He's Not Who You Think He Is: Dropping Your Assumptions and Discovering God for Yourself
Show Notes
1 Kings 18:37 NIV
Ezekiel 3:15 NLT
1 Kings 19:4 NLT
1 Samuel 23:16 NIV
Genesis 5:24 NIV
Psalm 90:14 NIV
Change Ourselves, Change the World: The Church That Changes the World, Part 3 | One Quick Thought
In 30 years, the church in the book of Acts changed the world. They did this by continually following the example of Jesus, who reached out to and did good for everyone around him, regardless of whether or not they chose to follow him. We are meant to do the same. In this episode, we learn how to live a life of constant renewal and love so we can change the world by inspiring those who don't yet follow Jesus to get to know him.
Show Notes:
Thirty Years That Changed the World: The Book Acts for Today, Michael Green
Shub — turn back, return (OT word)
Nacham — to be sorry, regret, comfort, be comforted
Metanoia — a change of mind
Teshuvah — repentance, return
****
📖 Read Our NEW Book ... He's Not Who You Think He Is: dropping your assumptions and discovering God for yourself
Pray The Stress Away | Scripture Playlists
Stress is an inevitable part of life, but the good news is prayer is a powerful tool to help us deal with it. As humans, we have limits in our talents, wisdom, and strength, but God's power and care are limitless. Through prayer, we can give God our stressed, afraid, and burdened hearts and find relief.
Check out our newest Scripture Playlist to learn more about how to pray the stress away.
Show Notes:
Psalm 40:17 TPT
Jeremiah 33:3 NET
2 Corinthians 1:8-11 ERV
Psalm 46:10-11 CEV
James 1:5 NLT
Isaiah 65:24 NLT
Hosea 14:8 NLT
Daniel 10:12 NLT
Psalm 130:3 TLB
Psalm 143:7-11 NLT
2 Corinthians 12:10 AMP
1 Kings 8:59 CEV
1 Peter 5:7 TPT
Philippians 4:6-7 Voice
Colossians 4:2 TLB
Hebrews 5:7 ERV
Romans 8:26 NLT
Psalm 145:14-19 NLT
Where Churches Go Wrong: The Church That Changes the World, Part 2 | One Quick Thought
Join us in the second part of our series as we continue to discuss how Jesus meant for the church to be, and how the early church imitated Jesus. If we don't have a biblical view of Jesus, we can become consumed with our personal preferences and traditions, and resistant to change. Jesus didn't just want to inspire us, but to inspire us to inspire others. Check out our newest One Quick Thought to learn more about how Jesus changed the world and how we can follow his example.
Show Notes:
Ephesians 2:19-22 NLT
Thirty Years that Changed the World, the Book of Acts for Today, Michael Green
Ephesians 3:10-11 NIV
John 12:31-33 TPT
Turning Unhealthy Thoughts Into Healthy Ones | Audiobook Preview
We are excited to present to you an excerpt from the audio version of our upcoming book He's Not Who You Think He Is: Dropping Your Assumptions and Discovering God for Yourself. This preview is from the first chapter of the book, "When God Isn't Attractive: Turning Unhealthy Thoughts Into Healthy Ones." When God is unattractive to us, it is usually a result of our having unhealthy rather than healthy thoughts about him. In this chapter we address our unhealthy assumptions head-on, tackling them one by one until we believe that God cares for us, understands us, believes in us, and loves us.
Our new book will be out on April 24th, 2023! Stay tuned for more updates.
Show Notes
He's Not Who You Think He Is: Dropping Your Assumptions and Discovering God for Yourself out soon on April 24th, 2023!
The Father Heart of God: Experiencing the Depths of His Love for You by Floyd McClung Jr.
“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us."
AW Tozer
Psalm 142:4 NIV
Ecclesiastes 9:11–12 NIV
Job 1:9–12 NIV
Job 1:16 NIV
Ephesians 4:17–19 NIV
Ecclesiastes 4:7–8 NIV
Nahum 1:7 NIV
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
2 Corinthians 12:7–9 NIV
Ezekiel 36:25–27 NIV
Acts 13:22 NIV
Isaiah 40:28 NIV
Acts 26:13–14 NIV
Isaiah 29:13 NIV
Ezekiel 36:26–27 NIV