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Hearts Aflame is a daily devotional podcast that draws from the rich writings of the Puritans. Each episode pairs timeless truths with Scripture, encouraging believers to deepen their faith and set their hearts aflame with love for Christ.
244 Episodes
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In this episode, we reflect on John Owen’s “Of Communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost” — a timeless meditation on the believer’s fellowship with the Triune God. Communion with God is not a momentary experience but a continual exchange of divine love and human devotion. When we walk closely with Him, every duty becomes delight and every moment sacred. This is the heart of the Christian life: to live daily in the joy of God’s presence.
Obadiah Sedgwick’s "The Bowels of Tender Mercy Sealed in the Everlasting Covenant" reminds us that God’s faithfulness is the believer’s anchor. His covenant love does not waver with our weakness, for it rests on His own unchanging character. In this episode, we rejoice in a God who keeps His promises, perfects His work, and preserves His people. The covenant that began in mercy will end in glory.
In this episode, William Bridge’s "The Christian’s Means of Assurance" offers encouragement to the weary believer walking through life’s deserts. The journey to heaven may be hard, but the pilgrim is never alone. Christ walks beside His own, sustaining weak faith and renewing weary hearts. We learn that true assurance rests not in the strength of our grip on Christ, but in the strength of His grip on us.
William Ames reminds us in "Conscience with the Power and Cases Thereof" that the whole of life is sacred when lived unto God. Every task, when done in faith and love, becomes worship. This episode calls us to bring our faith into the ordinary — to study, work, serve, and rest for God’s glory. The beauty of a Godward life is found in its wholeness: a conscience ruled by Scripture, a heart centered on Christ, and a life poured out as a living sacrifice of love.
Thomas Goodwin’s "The Heart of Christ in Heaven Toward Sinners on Earth" reveals the unchanging tenderness of Jesus toward His people. Exalted in glory, Christ’s heart still beats with compassion for those He redeemed. He intercedes continually, bears our names before the Father, and meets our weakness with mercy. In this episode, we rest in the truth that the same heart that bled for us on earth now pleads for us in heaven — full of love, full of power, and full of grace.
In this episode, we draw from Thomas Case’s "A Treatise of Afflictions" to discover the mercy hidden within God’s discipline. Every trial is a classroom where the Father teaches grace, patience, and holiness. The hand that afflicts is the same hand that upholds, measuring every sorrow with perfect love. This reflection invites believers to see chastening not as punishment, but as a refining fire by which God shapes His children for glory.
Thomas Brooks’ "Heaven on Earth" assures believers of the unchanging mercy of God. His mercies are ever new. In this episode, we rejoice in the mercy that forgives, upholds, and restores. When guilt whispers or trials roar, remember that His compassion never fails. Rest in the certainty that you are held not by your merit, but by His steadfast mercy and everlasting covenant.
In this episode, we reflect on Samuel Annesley’s "A Morning Exercise at Cripplegate" and the transforming power of fervent prayer. True prayer is the soul’s breath and the pulse of spiritual life. Cold prayers freeze before they reach heaven, but those ignited by faith and love prevail with God. Here we’re reminded that prayer is not a mere duty but the believer’s lifeline. Where weakness finds strength and communion with God brings joy and power.
Robert Bolton’s "Instructions for a Right Comforting of Afflicted Consciences" warns against the peril of a divided heart torn between God and the world. In this episode, we consider the restlessness of half-hearted religion and the joy of full devotion to Christ. God desires an undivided heart, wholly His. Discover how unity of heart brings strength, peace, and purpose as you surrender every affection to the Lord who alone can satisfy.
Drawing from Richard Greenham’s "Treatise of the Conscience," this episode explores the blessing of a tender, Spirit-guided conscience. A conscience illuminated by the Word and cleansed by the blood of Christ is one of life’s greatest treasures. It brings peace, humility, and joy. Learn how to guard your conscience from dullness, keep it sensitive to sin, and walk daily in the quiet strength of a clear heart before God and man.
In this episode, we turn to John Flavel’s "The Mystery of Providence" to find comfort in the sovereign care of God. Every joy and sorrow, every step and delay, unfolds under His wise and loving hand. Though His purposes are often hidden, they are never random. This is a call to trust when you cannot trace, to rest in His character when you cannot see His plan, and to believe that every thread of your story is woven by the same faithful hand that guides the stars.
John Cotton’s "The Way of the Churches of Christ in New England" reminds us that the true glory of the church lies not in her size or splendor, but in her purity and faithfulness to Christ. In this episode, we reflect on the beauty of a holy church—one that holds fast to sound doctrine, practices humble obedience, and shines brightly in a dark world. Christ delights to dwell where His people walk in truth and holiness.
From George Swinnock’s "The Christian Man’s Calling," we consider the believer’s greatest joy — communion with God. In this episode, we reflect on how fellowship with God sweetens every sorrow, sanctifies every joy, and transforms daily life into worship. To draw near to God is to taste heaven on earth. Make space for His presence, and you will find the joy that the world can neither give nor take away.
Henry Scougal reminds us that true Christianity is not external ceremony but “the life of God in the soul of man.” This episode explores what it means to share in the divine life through faith in Christ. A life that transforms duty into delight, turns sin bitter, and fills the heart with love for God. Such a life, born of the Spirit, endures forever and lifts the believer above the world into communion with the living God.
Edward Leigh’s "A System or Body of Divinity" calls us to behold holiness as the true beauty of the soul. In this episode, we explore how holiness is not outward formality but the inward grace of a renewed heart. To be holy is to be like God. Loving what He loves, hating what He hates, and walking humbly in His ways. True holiness restores what sin has marred and shines as heaven’s reflection on earth.
In this episode, we draw from John Bunyan’s "Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners" to reflect on the life of faith that looks beyond the seen to the unseen. Faith trusts God’s Word when feelings falter, clings to His promises in darkness, and rests on His unchanging character. This is an encouragement to live above the world’s uncertainty and walk daily in confident trust, knowing that God’s faithfulness never fails.
In this episode, we meditate on Matthew Henry’s "A Method for Prayer" (1710) and the true happiness of the godly. The believer’s joy is not rooted in circumstances but in peace with God, the promise of eternal life, and the hope of heaven. This is a call to rejoice in your privileges, even in trials, for heaven’s joy is already yours in Christ.
In this episode, we reflect on John Preston’s "The Breastplate of Faith and Love" (1630) and the power of Christ’s love to transform the believer’s life. His love is stronger than fear or mere duty, drawing us away from sin and compelling us to live for Him who died and rose again. This is an invitation to keep your heart full of Christ’s love, allowing it to warm your affections and make obedience a joy.
In this episode, we consider William Perkins’ classic insight from "The Art of Prophesying" (1592): "the fear of God is the foundation of all true wisdom." We explore how holy fear is not servile dread but reverent awe, leading to obedience, humility, and freedom from the fear of man. This is a call to cherish the fear of the Lord as the root of faith, repentance, and holiness—and to walk in it daily.
In this episode, we look at the vital role of the conscience in the Christian life, guided by William Ames’ "The Marrow of Theology "(1623). We explore how conscience serves as God’s deputy in the soul, why it must be shaped by Scripture rather than culture or reason alone, and how a pure conscience brings peace, boldness, and joy. This is an encouragement to keep your conscience tender, captive to God’s Word, and clear before Him and others.
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