What do you do when God doesn’t meet your expectations? 

In this episode of Live the Bible, we’ll turn to the book of Mark to answer that tough question. We all have an idea about what life will be like when we say yes to following Jesus.

The first disciples certainly had their expectations too! And Jesus disappointed them. But why does God let us experience the hurt, disappointment, and anger of unmet expectations?

The answer, amazingly, is good news.

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Almost everybody knows the Bible says, “Judge not.”

But what does that really mean? 

In this episode of Live the Bible, we examine one of the most popular verses in the Bible, “Judge not, that ye not be judged” (Matthew 7:1).

What Jesus meant when He gave that famous command might not be what you think!

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It’s possible to stay busy for God—and still drift far from Him. 

A full calendar. An empty heart. 

Not long ago, God’s people were showing up, singing loud, and going through the motions. Yet their hearts had grown cold. 

In this episode of Live the Bible, we turn to the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, who cuts through empty religion and calls us back to what God actually wants—a humble walk with Him. 

Today you can clear away the noise, confront what dulls your love for God, and take the next real step toward Him.

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Why do you do what you do? 

In this episode of Live the Bible, we take a look at our habits and ask that very question. We all have habits, including ones for the spiritual things we do. And we follow them religiously. 

But WHY? And why does what we do matter to God—or does it?

The book of Zechariah gives us the answer.

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Could you list your top 3 priorities?

Yep, me too. But how about when we try to actually live them?

In this episode of Live the Bible, we see that the Bible is not just a Sunday textbook. And during the week, it's not just devotional material to go with our morning coffee. 

No, the Bible is for our lives—and it directs our priorities. The problem of living our priorities is not a new one. The Prophet Haggai was dealing with the problem a long time ago. The people then are much like us. The solution still works.

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Failure, shame, regret. 

Just pick one, and we’ve all experienced it. And we’d all like to forget it. This episode of Live the Bible is one you may want to listen to all alone. 

Why?

Because we’re going to talk about the subject of personal shame. Whether it’s shame because of something you’ve done, or shame because of something done to you, we all struggle with it. The Prophet Zephaniah gives us some much-needed encouragement when our consciences are working overtime to condemn us.

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What can you do when God does nothing? 

In this episode of Live the Bible, we get down to the nitty-gritty of our daily walk with God. Why does it seem God is doing nothing? If we’re honest, we wonder that.

A short, Old Testament book with a funny name (thank you, Habakkuk) gives us a wonderful and practical answer we can put into practice as soon as we hear it.

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We want people to get what they deserve. 

At the same time, of course, we want God’s grace in our lives. How do we pray for both with integrity? 

In this episode of Live the Bible, the book of Nahum reminds us that only our wise God knows how to balance both—and to help us do the same.

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Do you ever feel like life is harder than it should be? 

In this episode of Live the Bible, we look at what to do when life feels like a burden. And let’s be honest, since God is in charge of life, we can often feel like He has burdened our lives.

God is aware of this feeling, and He offers us—through the Prophet Micah—some practical steps when we feel like God has burdened us.

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Have you ever just blown it?

If you need a great dose of encouragement today, you’ll want to hear today's podcast.

In this episode of Live the Bible, we look at the greatest fish story in Scripture. The book of Jonah is so much more than that—thankfully. It’s about God’s marvelous grace in our lives when we blow it.

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We gain a lot by putting one thing aside.

What we guard as a stronghold of our hearts turns out to be one of our greatest weaknesses.

In this episode of Live the Bible, we get back into our series where we take a lesson from each book of the Bible. Up next is the shortest book of the Bible, the book of Obadiah. But it packs a whallop.

Are you ready for this?

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Are you the person you want to be?

In this episode of Live the Bible, we see how God helps us become who we want to be. And the way God helps us to be that person? You may be surprised.

The Prophet Amos travels some distance to share the news with Israel, and his words have traveled the centuries to tell us the same message.

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The effects of personal compromise can leave us feeling hopeless.

In this episode of Live the Bible, we see what God does when sin has made a mess of our lives. Maybe it wasn’t even our sin—or maybe it was. But God can restore what sin has taken.

How? The Prophet Joel gives us the good news.

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Do you know a prodigal or have a prodigal in your life?

In this episode of Live the Bible, we’ll see some good news for God’s prodigals from the book of Hosea. A lot of times people look at God as a mean guy with a big stick ready to clobber us when we do something wrong. Thankfully, that’s not the right picture.

Our God is a loving Father with arms outstretched ready to welcome back the repentant prodigal.

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Your Christian life isn't easy. 

Staying close to God in a world dead-set against Him requires a dogged devotion. Thankfully, the Lord shows us how. 

In this episode of Live the Bible, we discover why God is worthy of our personal devotion. The book of Daniel even tells us what we can do in practical, daily terms.

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Have you ever felt you deserved God’s rejection? I sure have. It feels helpless. 

In this episode of Live the Bible, we see what it’s like when God does what only God can do. The Prophet Ezekiel stands in front of a valley of dry bones and watches them come to life. God can do the same work in our helpless lives as well. 

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How can you have hope for the future when literally everything seems hopeless? 

In this episode of Live the Bible, we peek inside the book of Lamentations. In this great little book, the prophet Jeremiah describes in graphic terms what he witnessed—the destruction of his country. 

The devastation caused a feeling of overwhelm. Of hopelessness.

The good news for us? Our hope is based on the faithfulness of God—not on us.

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Some days in life feel, well...

Empty. 

In this episode of Live the Bible, we pause and look at the only true source of life and meaning of life. In fact, when our lives feel empty, we should see it as a sign that we’re trying to find satisfaction in something other than its source—and that is God.

This episode from the book of Jeremiah will be a great encouragement to you—especially on those “empty” days.

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How do you deal with shame and guilt? 

In this episode of Live the Bible, we look at what the Bible says about a topic we all have struggled with on some level. And even after we have placed our faith in Christ, how do we as Christians deal with shame and guilt?

It’s good news. The great book of Isaiah gives us some powerful principles for practical application in this area.

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What does a marriage need every day? 

This one thing. In this episode of Live the Bible, we look at a topic essential for all of us. (And if you’re single, don’t worry, the principles apply to you very directly as well.) The Song of Solomon isn’t just poetry in the Bible, it’s very practical.

In fact, no matter who you are or at what station of life, you will be able to apply the principles of this message—immediately.

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How do you listen to a sermon? 

Honestly, it isn’t always easy. There’s nothing more frustrating than listening to somebody talk for 30 to 45 minutes and to walk away with nothing. The truth is, there are some specific tactics you can apply to every sermon you hear that will help you get so much more out of it.

In this episode of Live the Bible, we find those principles from one who called himself the “Preacher” – King Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes.

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There’s a secret to living intentionally every day. 

In this episode of Live the Bible, we can learn a valuable lesson from the book of Proverbs from an individual, surprisingly, who never intended to teach us a lesson. 

But God uses his life for our benefit.

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What are you searching for? 

I don't mean your car keys or your eyeglasses. I'm talking about LIFE. 

In this episode of Live the Bible, we get practical on an emotional level— and if we’re honest, that’s where we tend to live most of life. 

The world is desperately searching for happiness, and in their search they often miss joy.

Where do we find it? Psalm 126 tells us.

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Where is God in our painful moments? 

That's a fair question, but the book of Job asks it from a totally different perspective. 

In this episode of Live the Bible, we fasten our seatbelts and take a look at the most miserable man in the Bible—Job.

The message of the book offers so much for us to ponder and apply. 

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How do you find the courage to face a fearful situation? 

In this episode of Live the Bible, we look at the life of one of the most courageous women in the Bible—Esther. Don’t think that just because she was a queen that she didn’t struggle just like us. She did!

Esther shows us the confidence we can have in God’s sovereignty becomes the reason for our courage to do what’s right.

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