The Bible Journey Daily Podcast

Send us Fan Mail This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 25 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible. Follow and support me as an independent podcaster on Patreon. Episode Notes: Do you ever struggle with motivation? Not just getting started, although that can be hard enough. I mean staying at something after the novelty has worn off, after the excitement has faded, and after you've discovered that the task requires actual effort. So, what does it take to get you going? And perhaps more importantly, what does it take to keep you going? Because that's exactly the problem facing God's people in Ezra chapter 5. Ezra chapter 5 gives us a wonderfully practical answer. And as we'll discover, the answer is just as relevant today as it was for those discouraged builders in the day in Jerusalem…. Support the show This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless... Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment. https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan Mail This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 25 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible. Follow and support me as an independent podcaster on Patreon. I apologise again about the sound quality of today's episode; the problem has now been fixed, so hopefully normal service will resume tomorrow. Episode Notes: Support the show This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless... Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment. https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan Mail This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 25 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible. Follow and support me as an independent podcaster on Patreon. Episode Notes: Have you ever watched a restoration project unfold? Maybe it was an old house that fell into disrepair. Maybe it was a classic car sitting forgotten in a barn for decades. At first glance, all you can see is what's broken. Rust. Damage. Decay. Years of neglect. But then someone begins the work of restoration. Little by little, what was damaged begins to change. What appeared beyond repair starts to come back to life. The Bible tells us that we were created in the image of God. We were made for fellowship with Him. We were designed to reflect His character and enjoy His presence. But sin entered the picture. The image was not destroyed; it was marred. Our fellowship with God was broken. Something that was meant to be beautiful became damaged, and ever since, God has been in the restoration business. When we trust in Jesus Christ, that restoring work begins. We are forgiven. We are reconciled to God. But that's not the end of the process; it's just the beginning. God continues shaping us, changing us, and restoring His image in us throughout our lives. So biblically, what exactly is restoration? When we use that word, what do we actually mean? Is restoration simply fixing what's broken? Is it returning to where we were before? Is it recovering what we've lost, or is it something deeper than that? The nation of Israel gives us a remarkable picture of the answer. In Ezra chapter 1, we saw God open the door for restoration. He stirred the heart of King Cyrus and then stirred the hearts of the people to return. In Ezra chapter 2, we met the people who answered that call. Thousands left Babylon behind and committed themselves to God's restoring work. But now we come to Ezra chapter 3; the people have arrived. The journey is over, and the work is about to begin. And here, perhaps more clearly than anywhere else so far in the book, we discover what lies at the very heart of restoration. And if we're willing to listen carefully, Ezra chapter 3 may teach us not only how God restored Israel, but how He restores us as well. Let's see what lies at the heart of restoration…. Support the show This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless... Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment. https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan Mail This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 25 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible. Follow and support me as an independent podcaster on Patreon. Episode Notes: One of Scripture's most encouraging truths is that God is a God of restoration. He restores what has been broken. He rebuilds what has been ruined, and He brings home those who have wandered away. We see that truth throughout the entire Bible. The nation of Israel provides one of the clearest pictures of that process in all of Scripture. God chose Israel, placed them in the Promised Land, gave them His Word, and dwelt among them. Yet over time they drifted from Him. They rebelled against Him. Eventually, they experienced His discipline as Jerusalem was destroyed and the people were carried away into exile. Yet even then, God was not finished with them. Just as He had promised, He began the work of bringing them home. At first glance, Ezra chapter 2 doesn't seem very exciting. In fact, if we're honest, it may look like one of those chapters we are tempted to skip. It's seventy verses filled with names, families, and numbers. But what if that's exactly the point? What if God included this chapter to remind us that His work is always accomplished through ordinary people who choose to be faithful? And the question Ezra 2 asks every generation still today is: when God is rebuilding His work, will you be among the faithful? Let's find out as we turn to Ezra chapter 2…. Support the show This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless... Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment. https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan Mail This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 24 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible. Follow and support me as an independent podcaster on Patreon. Episode Notes: Have you ever found yourself a long way from God? Not just having a bad day. Not just missing a quiet time or neglecting prayer for a week. Maybe you've made choices you deeply regret. Maybe you've drifted gradually over months or years. Maybe you've reached the point where you're not even sure what happened. One day you look around and realize you're not where you used to be spiritually. And then the questions start. "Would God really take me back?" "Have I wandered too far?" "Have I been away too long?" It's been months, maybe years, or even maybe decades. And the longer they've been away, the harder it becomes to imagine returning. If that's where you find yourself today, I have some good news. Because the book of Ezra is the story of people who came home after being away from God for a very long time. The entire book is a story of restoration. It is the story of a God who rebuilds what has been broken and restores what seems lost. So, if you've ever wondered whether restoration is possible... Then Ezra chapter 1 is for you, so let's begin the journey back home to God. Support the show This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless... Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment. https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan Mail This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 25 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible. Follow and support me as an independent podcaster on Patreon. Episode Notes: Welcome to a brand-new season of Bible Journey Daily. Over the coming weeks, we're going to study through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, two fascinating books that tell a story of loss, hope, rebuilding, and renewal. Interestingly, Ezra and Nehemiah were originally one book in the Hebrew Scriptures. Together, they tell the story of God's people returning home after decades of exile in Babylon. Jerusalem had been devastated, the Temple destroyed, and many wondered whether Israel's story was over. But God wasn't finished with His people. These books remind us of a truth that runs through the entire Bible: when God makes a promise, He keeps it. That's really the big theme of these books: restoration. How God restores His people to a place of worship, obedience, and fellowship with Him. As we study through these chapters, we'll discover that restoration is rarely instant. The people faced opposition, discouragement, delays, personal failure, and hard decisions. Yet through every challenge, God remained faithful. He guided His people, strengthened their leaders, and accomplished His purposes even when circumstances seemed impossible, and that's one reason Ezra and Nehemiah still speak powerfully to us today. Many of us know what it feels like to need restoration. Sometimes it's our faith that needs rebuilding. Sometimes it's our families, our priorities, our churches, or our relationship with God. We may look at the broken places in our lives and wonder if they can ever be restored. Ezra and Nehemiah answer with a resounding yes. The God who restored a ruined city, a broken nation, and a discouraged people is still in the business of restoration today. So as we begin this journey together, let's listen carefully to the lessons of the returning exiles. Their story is more than ancient history. It's a testimony to the faithfulness of God and an invitation to trust Him with the rebuilding work He may be doing in our own lives. Let's begin.... Support the show This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless... Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment. https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan Mail This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 24 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible. Follow and support me as an independent podcaster on Patreon. Episode Notes: Let me start with a question that sounds a little uncomfortable, maybe even a little unspiritual: What do I get when I give? When we talk about giving to the Lord's work, we're usually quick to focus on what others receive. A missionary is helped. A ministry moves forward. A need is met. But have you ever stopped to ask what happens to the giver? At first glance, the answer seems obvious. If I give money away, I have less money than I had before. My pocket is a little emptier. So why give at all? Is giving simply about doing the right thing? Is it about the satisfaction of helping others? Or does God have something deeper in mind? In Philippians 4:10-20, Paul thanks the believers in Philippi for a financial gift they sent while he was under house arrest in Rome. But as he does, he reveals something remarkable. He shows us that generosity is not merely a blessing to the receiver. It is also a blessing to the giver. So, as we conclude this season together, let's explore a surprising question: Is it really better to give than to receive? Support the show This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless... Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment. https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan Mail This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 24 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible. Follow and support me as an independent podcaster on Patreon. Episode Notes: When was the last time you disagreed with someone? For most of us, that doesn't take long to answer. Maybe it was your spouse. Maybe a friend. Maybe someone at work. Maybe even someone at church. One person says, "We should do it this way." And another replies, "No, I think there's a better way." Sound familiar? Disagreements are simply part of life. They happen in marriages, in families. They happen in businesses, they happen in communities, and yes, they even happen in churches. Now a disagreement isn't necessarily bad. Sometimes the best ideas emerge because people see things differently. Sometimes a disagreement strengthens a relationship because it forces people to talk honestly and work through important issues. But disagreements can also take a darker turn. What begins as a difference of opinion can become an argument. An argument can then become a division, and a division can become a disaster. So the real issue isn't whether disagreements occur…. They will. The real issue is: How do we handle them? How do believers disagree without becoming disagreeable? How do Christians work through differences without damaging relationships, and how do we preserve unity without pretending we always agree? As it turns out, the church at Philippi faced exactly that problem. Two godly women had apparently fallen into a disagreement serious enough that Paul addresses it in a letter read publicly before the entire church. From that real-life situation, Paul gives us timeless principles for handling conflict, maintaining unity, and preserving harmony in our relationships... Support the show This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless... Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment. https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan Mail Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Episode Notes: If you go to get a job, in many cases, a worker has to be trained how to do that job. They are the ones who follow the one who teaches. If you are learning a trade, you have to serve an apprenticeship to be able to learn the craft. If you are a professional, like a doctor, you must serve an internship where you watch another professional, more experienced, and they, in turn, watch you. But we do this not only in the area of our occupation, but we do it in other areas of our lives as well. As husbands, as wives, as parents, we are aware of the influence our parents have on us. Sometimes our model comes outside the home. If we are to grow, not just in our profession, not just in our parenting skills, but spiritually, we need a role model to emulate. The problem is there are some really bad role models out there, and it is relatively easy to fall into the rut of following the wrong types of role models. So maybe we need to ask, what does the wrong model look like, and for that matter, what does a good model look like? Support the show This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless... Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment. https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan Mail Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Episode Notes: What is the goal of your life? An athlete wants to win the race. A businessperson hopes to build a successful enterprise. A politician wants to improve society, or perhaps get elected again. Every serious endeavour has an objective, a target, a finish line, but what is the goal of Christianity? People outside the church often assume the goal is simply to make people more religious. But is that really the ultimate objective? Is Christianity merely behavior modification with a religious label attached to it? Or is God after something deeper? In Philippians chapter 3, Paul answers that question with remarkable clarity. And what is especially interesting is that he answers it immediately after telling us that all his religious achievements were worthless compared to Christ. Having rejected confidence in religion, Paul now tells us what he is passionately pursuing instead. What was the driving ambition of the Apostle Paul? What was the great goal of his life, and what should be the great goal of ours? Support the show This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless... Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment. https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan Mail For several years now, we've been travelling through God's Word together. One passage at a time. One chapter at a time. One day at a time. And throughout that journey, I've heard a common desire expressed again and again: "I want to study the Bible more consistently, but I'm struggling to establish a rhythm that lasts." And for many of you, we have achieved that together through the Bible Journey Daily Podcast. Recently, an unexpected opportunity landed in my inbox that has caused me to ask an important question: Could there be a new way for us to help people build a lifelong habit of studying Scripture? Today I'd like to share that vision with you. As many of you know, my passion has never been technology for its own sake. My passion has always been helping people engage deeply with God's Word. But as the conversations continued, I began to see something that genuinely excited me. The possibility of creating a personalized Bible study companion designed to help people study through the whole Bible at a pace that works for them. Imagine opening an app each day and receiving guidance for the next step on your Bible journey. Imagine being able to choose whether you want to work through the Bible in one year, five years, or even ten years. Imagine having encouragement when you fall behind rather than feeling guilty and giving up altogether. Imagine being able to track your progress and see how God has been leading you through Scripture over months and years. And perhaps most exciting of all, imagine having access to a Bible study coach built around everything I've learned and taught over many years of ministry. It's about helping new people to find a way to make God's Word part of the rhythm of our daily lives. This app could become another way of helping people take those steps. As I've prayed about this opportunity, I've realized that I can't justify moving forward unless there is genuine interest from people who believe this vision would serve both them and others. And that's why I'm bringing this to you today. Founding Partner Invitation What I'm looking for initially is around ten people who would be willing to become founding partners in this project. People who would commit to subscribing when the app launches in a couple of months. The expected entry-level subscription will be around £15 per month, and ideally I'm looking for people willing to commit to using it for a year. Not simply as subscribers. But as pioneers. People who will test it, give feedback, suggest improvements, share what's working, and help shape what this ministry tool becomes. Ask it questions. In many ways, the first group of users will help build it alongside me. If you're someone who wants to see others helped who long for more structure and encouragement. And if you've been blessed by Bible Journey Daily and would like to help extend its reach... Then perhaps this invitation is for you. For now, I'm simply asking you to pray. Pray for wisdom and clarity, and pray that any decision made would honour Christ and serve His people well. And if you'd be interested in becoming one of these founding partners, I'd love to hear from you. You can reach out through Patreon, or email me directly at; jeremymccandless@hotmail.com Or respond using the links provided in these episode notes. Thank you for walking this journey with me. Thank you for your prayers, your encouragement, and your support. And who knows? This may be the beginning of an exciting new chapter in helping people make the study of God's Word part of the everyday rhythm of their lives. Until next time, keep walking the journey. Support the show This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless... Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment. https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan Mail This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 24 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible. Follow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources Episode Notes; Why does Paul interrupt this warm, encouraging letter with such a strong warning? Those are exactly the questions we're going to answer today. So let's open our Bibles to Philippians chapter 3 and discover why some spiritual influences must be approached with caution, discernment, and, at times, outright avoidance. Support the show This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless... Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment. https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan Mail This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 24 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible. Follow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources Episode Notes: Some years ago, on Christmas Day, my wife and I invited a single friend over for dinner. We knew she didn't have family nearby, and we wanted to make sure she wasn't spending the big day alone. It seemed like a small thing. Just dinner, just one afternoon. But during that meal, the friend began to open up about some significant struggles in her life. What started as a dinner became the beginning of a long ministry journey. Looking back, I would estimate that we spent hundreds of hours helping that woman. What we thought was going to cost us an afternoon and early evening ended up costing us a great deal of time, energy, prayer, and emotional investment. But that's how caring for people often works. When you genuinely become concerned about someone, it usually costs more than you expect. It's one thing to say, "I care." But it's another thing to invest your time, your energy, your prayers, and sometimes your tears into someone else’s life. What happens when we take seriously Paul's command to look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others? What does that kind of Christlike concern produce? As we come to Philippians 2:17–30, Paul gives us some living examples. He talks about himself, Timothy, and Epaphroditus, and through their lives we can begin to see both the cost and the blessing of genuine concern for others…. Support the show This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless... Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment. https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan Mail This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 24 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible. Follow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources Episode Notes: I remember a conversation years ago with a man who was genuinely puzzled by the Bible. He looked at me and said, "Jeremy, the Bible seems to contradict itself." I asked him what he meant. He said, "On the one hand, the Bible says we're saved by grace through faith and not by works. Ephesians 2 says that. Romans says that. The whole New Testament seems to say that salvation is a gift." Then he paused and added: "But then I read Philippians 2:12, and it says, 'Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.'" And then came the question: So, which is it? Are we saved by grace or by works? That's a fair question. In fact, it's a question that has puzzled many Christians over the years. Maybe you've wondered about it yourself. The Bible clearly teaches that salvation is not earned by our works. It is the gift of God, received by faith in Jesus Christ. But then we come to a passage like Philippians 2, and Paul tells believers: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." What does that mean? Is Paul contradicting himself? Is he suddenly teaching something different? Or is there something deeper going on in this passage that we're in danger of missing? As we'll discover today, Paul is not, in fact, talking about how to get saved. He's talking about what happens after you've been saved. In fact, these verses contain one of the clearest and most practical descriptions of living the Christian life found anywhere in the New Testament. It’s about living a life of spiritual growth and obedience. It’s about shining for Christ in a dark world, and it's about learning how to cooperate with what God is already doing in our lives. So, if you've ever wondered what it means to "work out your own salvation," or how Christians are supposed to live in the real world, then Philippians 2:12-16 has some powerful answers. Support the show This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless... Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment. https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan Mail This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 24 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible. Follow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources Episode Notes: Here is a controversial thought.... Maybe every once in a while, somebody ought to stand in front of the mirror and say I need to do an attitude check. But how would you measure an attitude? We speak of a good attitude, and sometimes we talk about someone having a bad attitude, but what is a good attitude, and what is a bad attitude? Is a bad attitude simply one that is negative? And is a good attitude simply one that is positive? Is that all we can hope for is a positive attitude in a bad situation? Or is there another kind of attitude? I think there is something beyond just having a good attitude. I think there is something we could call a divine/Godly attitude. And furthermore, it is an attitude described for us in the New Testament, and God commends all believers in Jesus Christ to have it. So, what is the divine attitude you ask? Well, turn to Philippians chapter 2, and I’ll show you…. Support the show This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless... Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment. https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan Mail This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 24 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible. Follow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources Episode Notes: Let me begin with an observation that probably doesn't surprise anyone: Conflict is a fact of life. It happens in families. It happens in marriages. It happens in workplaces. It happens in communities. And unfortunately, it even happens in churches. Psychologists tell us that conflict exists at different levels and the sad truth is that not everyone enters a conflict at the same level. One person may be trying to solve a problem while another is preparing for battle Conflict can become very complicated very quickly. My preference is peace, harmony, and unity. I'd much rather see people working together than fighting each other. So, the question becomes: How do we achieve that? How does a family learn to live in harmony? How does a church stay united? How do relationships survive in a world that seems increasingly divided? More importantly, what has to happen inside our hearts to make genuine harmony possible? As it turns out, the Apostle Paul addresses exactly that issue in Philippians chapter 2 for us today. The church at Philippi was beginning to experience tensions and divisions. Paul could see the warning signs. So, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he gives one of the clearest and most helpful explanations in all of the Bible of what produces unity and what destroys it. And what we're about to discover is that harmony doesn't begin with changing other people, it begins with changing ourselves Support the show This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless... Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment. https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan Mail This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless and is part of season 24 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible. Follow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources Episode Notes: When you were born, you automatically became a citizen of a country on this earth. You didn't apply for it. You didn't earn it. You inherited it by birth. Now, as a citizen, you can either become a worthy citizen or an unworthy one. A worthy citizen respects the laws of the land, fulfills responsibilities, contributes to society, and, if necessary, defends the nation to which he belongs. An unworthy citizen does the opposite. He works against his country's interests, disregards its laws, and acts in ways that bring harm rather than good. So that raises an important question: What does a worthy citizen of heaven look like, and how should we live if heaven is our true home? As it turns out, that is exactly the subject Paul addresses in Philippians 1:27–30. And the Philippians were uniquely equipped to understand it. Philippi was a Roman colony. Its citizens took enormous pride in their Roman citizenship. They understood what it meant to belong to a kingdom and to live in a manner worthy of that citizenship. But they were facing challenges. Some problems were coming from within. Other pressures were coming from outside. Opponents of the gospel were attacking, criticizing, and persecuting believers. So, the Philippians were facing pressure from without and strain from within. And into that situation, Paul gives one of the most important exhortations in the entire letter. And he says: "Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ." Or, as the language literally suggests, "Live as worthy citizens." In this passage, Paul explains what heavenly citizenship looks like when life gets difficult, when opposition arises, and when believers are tempted to turn on one another rather than stand together. Support the show This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless... Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment. https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan Mail This Podcast is part of season 24 of a project to complete an in-depth study of the entire Bible, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R McCandless... Follow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon Episode Notes: Have you ever experienced a major setback in life? Perhaps you lost your health, or perhaps you lost a job. Perhaps a marriage ended, or perhaps a friendship you deeply treasured came to an end. Maybe it was a financial reversal, a disappointment, a dream that never materialized, or years of your life that seemed to be swallowed up by circumstances beyond your control. The question is not whether setbacks happen; the question is: How do you handle them when they do? How do you respond when life doesn't go according to plan, and how do you keep going when the road suddenly takes an unexpected turn? Today I'd like to tell you about a man who experienced one of the greatest setbacks imaginable,, and I'm talking about the Apostle Paul. From reading his letters, it is clear that one of Paul's great ambitions was to take the gospel where it had never been preached before. But when he arrived in Jerusalem, everything changed. He was arrested and falsely accused. He was dragged into a legal and political nightmare. Then, when threats against his life increased, the Romans transferred him to Caesarea, where he sat in prison for two years. After that, he appealed to Caesar and was shipped to Rome, survived a shipwreck along the way, and eventually found himself under house arrest in the capital of the empire. Think about that for a moment. The man who wanted to take the gospel to Spain spent years sitting in jail…. Years. The very years he probably thought would be among the most productive years of his ministry. From a human perspective, it looked like a massive setback. So how did Paul handle it? The answer is found in Philippians chapter 1. And what Paul teaches us in this passage may be one of the most practical lessons in resilience you'll ever find in Scripture. Support the show This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless... Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment. https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan Mail This Podcast is part of season 24 of a project to complete an in-depth, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of the entire Bible. This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless. Follow and support me on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Is there someone in your life you'd like to see change? Maybe it's your spouse. Maybe it's one of your children. Maybe it's a parent, a co-worker, or perhaps that one person who always seems determined to make life more difficult than it needs to be. Most of us would probably agree on one thing: changing people is hard. In fact, if we're honest, it's difficult enough to change ourselves, let alone somebody else. That's why many people would say it's impossible to change another person. Yet I do believe people can change. I'm not talking about manipulation, coercion, or some secret formula for controlling people. I know of no such formula. And I'm certainly not suggesting that you or I have the power to transform another human heart. But what I do believe is that God does have that ability. All of us who know Christ have experienced that firsthand. God changes people. He changes attitudes, desires, priorities, and lives. So where do we fit into that process? The answer is simple: we pray. God has invited us to participate in His work through prayer. We cannot change people, but God can. And one of the ways He does His work is through the prayers of His people. But that raises an important question: If we want to pray for someone to change, what should we pray? Should we simply say, "Lord, change that person"? Or does Scripture teach us how to pray more specifically and more effectively? The apostle Paul prayed often for believers, and one of his prayers stands out above the rest. It gets right to the heart of what produces genuine spiritual growth and lasting change. So today we're going to discover what a people-changing prayer sounds like, and in the process, learn how we can partner with God in the transformation of those around us we care about. Support the show This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless... Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment. https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to our next episode in our study of Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Today we begin a new section—one that speaks directly to the heart, and to something every believer longs for but often struggles to cultivate: an attitude of gratitude. I used to know two quite elderly Christian ladies. They’re the same age, and they attended the same church. They had both walked through similar tragedies, but that’s where the similarities end. One of them is consistently negative and critical. I’ve known her for years, and I honestly cannot recall a single conversation where she didn’t have something harsh to say about someone or something. Her criticisms are sharp, and they come easily. The other lady is her exact opposite. She is positive, warm, and deeply grateful. I’ve also known her for many years, and in every conversation—without exception—she finds something to thank God for. Something good to notice. Someone to appreciate. Some blessing to acknowledge. I remember walking away from conversations with the first lady thinking, “Lord, deliver me from becoming like that.” And walking away from conversations with the second lady thinking, “Lord, help me become more like her.” So let me ask you a personal question: How can we become more like that second lady, and how can we develop an attitude of gratitude? So how do we develop it? Well, one of the best ways to learn any virtue is to look at someone who possessed it—and ask how they got it. And when we turn to the New Testament, one man stands out: The Apostle Paul. So today we ask: How did Paul develop such an attitude? What was the key to his grateful spirit, and how can we cultivate the same attitude in our own lives? Support the show This podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R. McCandless... Follow and support me as an independent podcast creator on Patreon. Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon To receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at: Jeremy McCandless | Substack Check out my other Podcasts. My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com The L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment. https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com The Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891 The Classic Literature Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906 To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit: Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update