Believe & Speak

Two thoughts were jockeying in my head to become the focus of this week’s episode, and God surprised me by showing me verses from Isaiah that address both thoughts.

I’m in need of rest lately—and God is calling me to rest, so I thought about dedicating this episode of Believe & Speak to God’s command that we rest. But I’m also in desperate need of guidance. I’m in a season of transition and need direction from God, so ...

I hung my American flag on Memorial Day and plan to keep it waving through the 4th of July. I’m proud to be an American, and yet my citizenship is in heaven. One of the best things (and there are many wonderful things) about heaven is that we will all be united. No factions. No interest groups. No divisions. Every citizen of heaven stands united under the lordship of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I’ve not merely pledged my all...

Did you know that God gives us a reason to sing with joy all day, every day, no matter what transpires? Declaring that truth helps redirect my focus toward what is good—namely our Heavenly Father—and away from what is bad—like those situations that scream, “Look at me instead.” No thank you. I will intentionally look to God and stand on the promises in His Word.

I started this podcast because I believe the verse in Proverb...

Today’s declaration reminds me of the old standard by George Gershwin, “Someone to Watch Over Me.” I used to sing that song six nights a week when I sang professionally many years ago. That old love song wasn’t about our relationship with God, but the line about the “little lamb” lost in the wood makes me think of the Good Shepherd who leaves the 99 in search of the one. I am incredibly thankful for the promise of God’s wa...

If you’ve ever been criticized for waiting on God’s timing rather than forging ahead with what may seem like the best laid plans, then today’s declaration is for you.

Why would waiting on God be shameful? Well…  when God’s direction runs contrary to common sense, when obeying God looks like passing up an opportunity, when yielding to God’s schedule looks like procrastination, people may judge our inaction. Being still can ...

Whenever I think of God’s unchanging nature, my go-to verse is Hebrews 13:8, which says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Malachi 3:6 says, “I the Lord do not change.”

When it comes to the steadfast, unchanging nature of our God, I don’t think of the verse I’ll be reading today. Instead, I usually focus on the good and perfect gifts that come from God. In fact, the reason I decided on sharing thi...

I keep a record of the Bible verses I’ve read each week since beginning this podcast back in January 2020. Sometimes I’ll think of a verse that is so familiar to me that I’m certain I’ve already featured it on this podcast, but I’ll look it up to be certain. I did that today, and much to my surprise, I discovered I have not shared the verses from Jeremiah 29 that I’ll be reading in this episode. I can quote Jeremiah 29:11 ...

I spoke at an event last Monday, and the theme was “April showers bring May flowers.” That familiar phrase influenced my choice of what Bible verses to read today, and those verses inspired our declaration, which is like a blast of sunshine after a storm.

The thing about nature’s seasons is that they come and go within a limited amount of time that can be measured. The rainy season comes, and while it’s true that some year...

Our Bibles are so rich and full of promises. I have no doubt that I could continue this podcast for years and never run out of pearls of truth that you and I can declare with hopeful expectation. Today’s promise can be found in two Old Testament books, and I’m incredibly encouraged to know that the promises of God have stood the test of time.

Both Psalm 18 and 2 Samuel contain the words I’m about to read. Oh, how I love th...

Today’s declaration is appropriate for the first episode of Believe & Speak since Easter, and it comes from two different scriptures. One contains a promise Jesus gave to Martha after her brother died, and the other contains a reminder Paul gave the Corinthians after his encounter with the resurrected Jesus changed the course of his life. I love how Martha said in John 11:22, “But even now I know that God will give you whatever...

The things of God sound foolish to the natural man because these things are spiritually discerned. I am so grateful for the assurance that God’s Spirit alive in me helps me understand spiritual things. Since we have the mind of Christ, we can evaluate all things, reject lies, and receive truth. Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth explains this, and I know you’ll be encouraged by its promise for those of us who know, love and ser...

I wish more people knew God not only as the God of justice, but also as the God of mercy and grace. You and I received the indescribable gift of grace from God through Jesus Christ. Grace is getting what we don’t deserve. Mercy—on the other hand—is not getting what we do deserve. Psalm 103:10 says that God “does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” Psalm 103 isn’t the only place in the Bible th...

I’ve been having trouble falling asleep for a while. I keep quoting the last verse in Psalm 4 over and over until I finally fall asleep. A couple days ago, I read all of Psalm 4 and wondered the circumstances that led David to write it. He wrote in the second verse, “How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?” As the king of Israel, I can see why those questions would ke...

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the power of love. Part of me thinks it’s because my son is getting married in a couple weeks and another part of me thinks it’s because hate is advancing across the globe. I keep asking God to intervene, and he keeps reminding me of the power of love. So, I’ve been meditating on what many in the church call “the love chapter.” The beautiful description of love in 1 Corinthians 13 has been read...

Today’s declaration includes an “I can” statement based on truth. Previously on this podcast, I’ve talked about the difference between “I can” statements, which demonstrate ability, and “I will” statements, which demonstrate intention. God enables us to love, but we get to choose whether we actually will love others. We are created, called and commanded to love. We are also capable. God wants us to love not only each other (as in t...

The Bible has a lot to say about wisdom and foolishness. God view of what is wise and what is foolish does not line up with the world’s view. Probably the most dramatic example of this truth is found in 1 Corinthians 1:18, which says, “For the word of the cross [the message of Jesus’s death and resurrection] is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved.” (CSB) In other words, the p...

Today’s declaration comes from Psalm 18. I was tempted to read the entire psalm because it speaks directly into the situation in Ukraine. Psalm 18 serves as a reminder that when the enemy advances, we can find protection in God. The notes in my Bible say that David sang Psalm 18 on the day the Lord rescued him from all his enemies. David was well acquainted with war, and God protected him in battle time and again. Our God is the sa...

Before going to the cross, Jesus wanted his disciples to know that they wouldn’t be left alone. The Holy Spirit would come and would have a different but profound relationship with them. I can hear the heart of Jesus in the words he spoke in the last hours with his disciples prior to his death and resurrection. He knew the Spirit of truth would come to them to guide them into all the truth. God still speaks today! In the Old Testam...

I can imagine God’s booming baritone voice singing a love song over me. Can you? The Mighty One, who is perfect in every way, not only takes notice of you and me, but he delights in what he sees. So much so, that he breaks into song! I take a great deal of comfort in knowing that God is with me and that he is mighty to save me. But the idea that God rejoices over me with singing astounds me! Why does he take such great delight in u...