Discover the Word Podcast

If you've ever wondered why everyone else seems to have powerful Holy Spirit stories, but you just feel stuck, disconnected, or unsure--you're not alone. In this two week series of conversations, best-selling author Margaret Feinberg walks with the group through Scripture--from Genesis to Pentecost--to reveal the Spirit's constant, powerful presence across history . . . and in your everyday life. Discover with the group a fresh, honest way to reconnect with the Spirit many believers quietly wonder about but rarely talk about. As Margaret says, "You were never meant to follow God alone. The Spirit is already closer than you think, and He's The God You Need to Know."Receive As we explore the Holy Spirit's work from Genesis to Pentecost, we discover the Holy Spirit has been present throughout history. And He's with us in our everyday life.  We were never meant to follow God alone. How comforting it is to know that the Holy Spirit is already closer than we think.  May we continue getting to know the Holy Spirit even better. And may we embrace the truth that a relationship with Holy Spirit is vital to our Christian walk. Reflect  Based on Jesus' words in John 14:16, what can we learn about the Holy Spirit?  How does it feel to know that the same Holy Spirit who hovered over the waters in Genesis 1:1–2 and hovers like an eagle over its young as in Deuteronomy 32:10–11 hovers over you? Based on Genesis 37:5–11, how can the Holy Spirit speak to us even while we sleep? How does the story of Eldad and Medad in Numbers 11:16–26 show that we don't have to earn the right for the Holy Spirit to empower us? When have you experienced the Holy Spirit's love as we read in Isaiah 43?  How does developing skills or talents help us experience the Spirit as we see in Exodus 31:1–6?  Respond (Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) “Dear God, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit! Help me to not take the Holy Spirit for granted. Help me to experience His love, power, guidance, and comfort in my life.   Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources Mentioned in this episode: The God You Need to Know by Margaret Feinberg Listen: The Gift of the Holy Spirit The Work of the Holy Spirit Read: “Filled" with the Spirit  The Gentle Whisper of the Holy Spirit Watch: Led by the Spirit - Galatians 5:16-17 Leaning on the Holy Spirit's Power with Rev. Dr. Bernice King 

What does your name mean? Why were you given your name? Does it mean anything to you? Well, in this Discover the Word study, Bill lead Elisa and Bill and Daniel and Rasool in looking at some of the Old Testament "names" that are given to God. Discover how those names describe important aspects of what God is like and how these names can give us security and confidence to trust this God who love us so much.Receive As we discover more of the names given to God throughout the Old Testament, how wonderful it is to be reminded that God loves us and wants to reveal different aspects of His character through His different names!  How comforting it is to know God is our Peace (Jehovah-Shalom), Sovereign (Jehovah-Sabaoth), our Righteousness (Jehovah-Sidkenu), Immanuel (Jehovah-Shammah), and our Shepherd (Jehovah-Rohi)! Let's continue to focus on God's marvelous attributes along our faith journey. The more we get to know God, the more we can love and serve Him.  Reflect  According to Judges 6:24, why did Gideon name the altar, "the Lord is Peace" (Jehovah-Shalom)? Based on 1Samuel 1:3 (KJV), why did Samuel refer to God as "the Lord of hosts" (Jehovah-Sabaoth)?  Who is "the Lord our Righteousness" (Jehovah-Sidkenu) referring to in Jeremiah 23:6 (KJV)?  How does the promise of "the Lord is there" (Jehovah-Shammah) found in Ezekiel 48:35 comfort you?  How meaningful is it to know God as your Shepherd (Jehovah-Rohi) as King David describes Him in Psalm 23:1?   Respond (Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) “Dear God, thank You for being my Peace, Righteousness, Immanuel, Sovereign, and my Shepherd! Help me to remember just how great You are! Help me to love and trust You more and more!" Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources Mentioned in this episode: Our Daily Bread Ministries Calendars and Planners Listen: Let There Be Peace in You The Good Shepherd Read: A World Wanting Peace The Lord Is My Shepherd Watch: Peace Be with You | John 20:19 Lacking Nothing | Psalm 23:1

What does your name mean? Why were you given your name? Does it mean anything to you? Well, in this Discover the Word study, Bill lead Elisa and Bill and Daniel and Rasool in looking at some of the Old Testament "names" that are given to God. Discover how those names describe important aspects of what God is like and how these names can give us security and confidence to trust this God who love us so much.Receive As we explore some of the Old Testament names that are given to God, we can rejoice as we discover how those names describe important aspects of what God is like and how they can give us security and confidence to trust this God who loves us so much. How awesome to know that Yahweh/Jehovah is the Great I Am as well as Jehovah-Jireh our Provider, Jehovah-Rapha our Healer, Jehovah-Nissi our Banner, and Jehovah-M'Kadesh our Sanctifier! God is much greater than we could ever comprehend or describe with mere words. When we remember how good, loving, holy, merciful, and powerful God is, it helps us keep everything else in perspective.   Reflect  Why do you think Abraham focused on God’s mercy and faithfulness, not on his own obedience, when he called the place Jehovah-Jireh in Genesis 22:14?  What do you think God was saying about Himself in Exodus 3:13–14?  How does the name Jehovah-Rapha in Exodus 15:26 relate to Jesus, the Great Physician? According to Exodus 17:15–16, who ultimately won the victory for the Israelites? Based on Exodus 31:12–15, who makes us holy?   Respond (Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) “Dear God, thank You for being my Provider, Healer, Sanctifier, Banner, and so much more! Help me to call upon You in good and bad times. Help me to meditate on Your Word and on how glorious and marvelous You are!”  Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources Mentioned in this episode: What Does It Mean to Say, “The Genesis Account Is True”? Noah: Hope in the Waters of Remaking Joshua: Conquering the Impossible David, Goliath, and the Gospel: Living in Light of Our Savior’s Victory The Strength to Be Wise Listen:  But . . . But . . . But . . . How God Responds to Our Excuses Who Is God? A Study of Ephesians Read: Child of God  Set Free to Worship God Watch: Jesus: the Bridge to God? Revelation 4:8 / Holy, Holy, Holy 

This series of 15 conversations revisits the story of a world-class liar and deceiver. The intent is to find insight and perspective as we explore together what Jacob, the father of the original 12 tribes of Israel contributes to the bigger story of Jesus— and to us. Even though he was a grandson of Abraham, Jacob turned out to be so dishonest that he had to leave home to avoid being killed by the older brother he betrayed. Yet his legacy is as wonderful as it is mysterious. God loved Jacob, and chose him to be a blessing to every family of the earth. What was God trying to tell us?Receive As we ponder Jacob’s life, we can find hope that God never gave up on him. God was with Jacob as he ran from his past, was deceived by his father-in-law, and wrestled with doubts and fear before returning to face the brother he had deceived decades before. Through every twist and turn, God was transforming Jacob into Israel, who would be a blessing to many.   How wonderful to know that God doesn’t give up on us either! He is there guiding and transforming us into the image of Jesus.   Reflect  Even with so many reassurances of God’s protection, why was Jacob still terrified to reunite with Esau as we read in Genesis 32:3–8?   Based on Jacob’s prayer in Genesis 32:9–12, what was going on in his heart? What was Jacob doing in Genesis 32:13–21? Was he adding faithful action to his prayers or was it once again a desperate attempt to try to solve his own problems apart from God? What did the encounter recorded in Genesis 32:22–30 mean and what was the outcome?  Based on Genesis 33:1–11, how were Israel (Jacob) and Esau able to be reconciled with each other?  Respond (Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) “Dear God, thank You for never giving up on me. Help me to always seek Your will for my life. Help me to live a life that pleases You.” Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources Mentioned in this episode: Our Daily Bread Ambassador Program  Listen: Why Should I Forgive  Does Jesus Really Want Me to Hate My Family?  Read: Forgiveness & Reconciliation Mending a Broken Relationship  Watch: Repairing Relationships | Genesis 33:5-11  How Do I Repent? | Acts 3:19  

This series of 15 conversations revisits the story of a world-class liar and deceiver. The intent is to find insight and perspective as we explore together what Jacob, the father of the original 12 tribes of Israel contributes to the bigger story of Jesus— and to us. Even though he was a grandson of Abraham, Jacob turned out to be so dishonest that he had to leave home to avoid being killed by the older brother he betrayed. Yet his legacy is as wonderful as it is mysterious. God loved Jacob, and chose him to be a blessing to every family of the earth. What was God trying to tell us?Receive Jacob turned out to be so dishonest that he had to leave home to avoid being killed by the older brother he betrayed. Yet his legacy is as wonderful as it is mysterious.  Although Jacob’s life and relationships raise lots of questions, we can see that God still loved Jacob and God chose him to be a blessing to every family of the earth.  As we reflect on Jacob’s story, we can rejoice that God loves us despite our flaws, struggles, and weaknesses and can still use us to be a blessing to many.    Reflect  How might Rebekah have justified the scheme to deceive her husband as we find in Genesis 27:41– 45? Why would God offer not only to provide and protect a man like Jacob, but also to make him part of the story that would bring blessing to the whole world as we read in Genesis 28:10–17? In Genesis 28:18–22, was Jacob expressing the kind of faith that pleases God or trying to put conditions on his faith? Based on Genesis 31:5–7, what was happening in Jacob during those twenty years of struggle and betrayal while living with and working for his dishonest father-in-law?  Respond (Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) “Dear God, thank You for loving me despite my flaws, mistakes, and past. Thank You for Your mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Help me to surrender to You in every area of my life and to trust You in every season.”   Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources Mentioned in this episode: Our Daily Bread Ministries' Press Giving Campaign   Listen: The Master of Forgiveness  Myths of Forgiveness  Read: A Socially Suspect Ancestry  The Forgiveness of God Watch: Jerusalem – The City of Forgiveness (The Holy Land)  Jerusalem – The Cost of Forgiveness (The Holy Land)