Dwell On These Things

I have always enjoyed the pace and the feel of Christmas Eve. I enjoyed it as a child and I still enjoy it as an adult. The evening has a way of slowing us down, at least for a moment. The lights are a little softer. The songs feel heavier with meaning. Even people who rarely think about spiritual things tend to pause and reflect. There’s something about this night that invites us to consider the reality that God might actually be nearer than we think. That’s why John 1:14–18 is such a powerful passage to sit with on Christmas Eve. It doesn’t begin with shepherds or angels or a manger. It walks us through some of the deeper aspects of Christ’s divine mission to rescue lost humanity. In a way, it pulls back the curtain and shows us what was really happening behind the scenes when Jesus was born. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When John describes Jesus as the “true light” in John 1:9, he isn’t just offering poetic language or an interesting metaphor. He’s making a bold, theological declaration about the identity of Christ. He’s saying that Jesus is the fulfillment of everything God hinted at throughout the Old Testament. Every glimpse of light, every shadow of hope, every prophecy that promised redemption, finds its substance in Him. John wants us to recognize that Jesus didn’t appear randomly. He came as the long-promised light who would shine on people sitting in darkness. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Today’s guest is someone whose voice has shaped the soundtrack of Christian rock for more than four decades. You probably know John Schlitt as the lead singer of Petra, one of the most influential Christian bands of all time. But his story is much bigger than chart-topping albums and sold-out concerts. It’s a story about redemption, calling, and discovering that God has a purpose for every season of your life. As someone who has been listening to and enjoying Petra's music for quite some time, I am extremely excited to welcome John to the show today. John Schlitt: https://johnschlitt.com/ Petra: https://petraband.com/  . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Most people start the Christmas story in Bethlehem. The apostle John doesn’t. He doesn’t begin with a manger or a star. He forces you to see Jesus as He truly is. Not just a child born to Mary, but the eternal Son of God who existed before time. Not just a baby wrapped in cloths, but the Creator who designed everything you’ve ever seen. John 1:1-5 isn’t soft or sentimental. It’s strong, clear, and unapologetic. John wants his readers to understand without a doubt that Jesus is God. Jesus created everything. Jesus is life. Jesus is light. Darkness cannot overcome Him, no matter how hard it tries. If you want to read a passage that cuts through confusion about Jesus, here it is. Let’s walk through it with the same clarity John uses. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The Lord knows what our hearts are longing for, and multiple times in Scripture, we’re shown that He intends to satisfy our deepest longings. Revelation 7:9-17 is one of those moments. It shows us a scene that feels almost too beautiful to take in, yet the Lord wants us to see it clearly. He wants us to let this picture shape the way we live right now. The apostle John has been walking us through terrifying judgments in earlier portions of Revelation 6. The seals are being opened, the world is trembling, and humanity is facing the consequences of long-rejected mercy. But before we continue with more judgment in Revelation 8, God gives us a pause. It is a pause full of grace. It is as if the Lord says, "Before you see what comes next, I want you to know how my story ends for my people. I want you to see the future I have prepared." That is where Revelation 7:9-17 comes in. It shows us a redeemed family, a victorious King, and a hope that never fades. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

You can order a copy of "Making Faith Magnetic" on Amazon at this link:  https://amzn.to/48qP9aO . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bible-study/id1851714701   Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/2dGcgjPhKjVI0sseXOKWcK?si=e6faa35a84624b9d   Podbean:  https://www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-mmeg4-12c1ab4 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bible-study/id1851714701   Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/2dGcgjPhKjVI0sseXOKWcK?si=e6faa35a84624b9d   Podbean:  https://www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-mmeg4-12c1ab4 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bible-study/id1851714701   Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/2dGcgjPhKjVI0sseXOKWcK?si=e6faa35a84624b9d   Podbean:  https://www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-mmeg4-12c1ab4 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

There are moments when a passage of Scripture grabs you by the shoulders and refuses to let you drift into comfortable reading. Revelation 6:12-17 is one of those moments. It pulls back the curtain on the future and lets us see what the world will face when the Lamb (Jesus) opens the sixth seal. It’s dramatic, it’s intentionally unsettling, and it’s meant to awaken something inside us. As the apostle John describes these events, we’re meant to feel the weight of what’s happening. We’re meant to let the words sink in until our hearts start to say, “This is real, this is coming, and Jesus is at the center of it.” This section of Revelation takes place during the future seven-year Tribulation, a time Scripture describes as unlike anything the world has ever seen. Jesus called it a period of great tribulation in Matthew 24:21. Daniel wrote about it in Daniel 9:27 when he spoke of the final week in God’s prophetic timeline for Israel. These chapters in Revelation let us see the judgments God will pour out on the world as He prepares the earth for the return of Christ and the establishment of His millennial kingdom. And here, in the sixth seal, Creation itself begins to crumble. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When we read Revelation 6, we’re shown a fascinating glimpse of future days. The Lamb (Jesus), who alone is worthy to open the scroll, begins to break its seals. What follows isn't random chaos or meaningless destruction. It’s the righteous unfolding of God’s plan for the world. Every seal opened is a step closer to the return of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom on earth. From the theological perspective I lean toward, these verses describe the beginning of the tribulation period. This is a future time when God’s judgment will be poured out for 7 years upon this world that has rejected Him. But even as we see the judgments begin, we can’t miss the central truth: Jesus, the Lamb, is still in complete control. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast at the website. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When I attempt to picture what heaven looks like, there are multiple images that come to mind.  When I ask others to tell me how they envision it, I'm often told that they imagine things like clouds and harps, reunion and rest. But Revelation 5 shows us something far greater. It gives us a picture of worship that’s full of life, sound, and awe. It’s the scene that defines eternity. It’s where the entire created order joins in one song, declaring that Jesus, the Lamb of God, is worthy of all praise. What we see in these verses isn’t just a picture of heaven’s worship. It’s a glimpse of God’s ultimate plan being fulfilled. Everything that exists, everything that’s ever been made, finds its purpose in recognizing and glorifying Jesus Christ. This passage brings the story of redemption to its crescendo. I also believe that reflecting on what the apostle John saw as he witnessed this scene of heavenly worship can shape the way we see our lives, our struggles, and the nature of our hope in Christ. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast at the website. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When John was given a glimpse into the throne room of heaven, what he saw filled him with awe, wonder, and deep emotion. In Revelation 5, we move from the heavenly worship scene of chapter 4 to a moment that feels like the very center of all redemptive history. The apostle is caught up in a vision where the eternal plan of God is held in His hand, written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. The scene is mysterious but meaningful, full of anticipation and tension. It reveals who alone is worthy to bring history to its rightful fulfillment. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

There are times when Scripture doesn’t just tell us about God, it lets us see Him. Revelation 4 is one of those moments. John isn’t describing a symbol or a parable here. He’s describing reality. He’s been invited into the throne room of heaven to witness what’s happening around God’s presence right now. It’s hard to picture, isn’t it? The colors, the sounds, the movement. It’s a scene that stretches our imagination to the limit. Yet what stands out most isn’t necessarily the mystery of it all, but the worship that fills the room. The closer anyone gets to God, the more worship naturally overflows from them. This passage isn’t just meant to inform us about heaven. It’s meant to transform how we think about worship, purpose, and the glory of Jesus Christ. The vision John saw wasn’t meant to stay locked in the pages of Revelation. It’s meant to awaken our hearts to the same reality right now, that God reigns, and that all of creation exists to honor Him. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

There are moments in Scripture where heaven seems to peel back its curtain and give us a glimpse of realities our minds can hardly contain. Revelation 4 is one of those moments. The apostle John, exiled on the island of Patmos, is invited to look through an open door into heaven itself. What he sees isn’t just meant to satisfy curiosity about what heaven looks like. It’s meant to reframe how we live on earth. It reveals the majesty, holiness, and sovereignty of God, all centered on the glory of Jesus Christ. When we slow down to take in this vision, we find hope for weary hearts, perspective for confusing times, and worship that lifts us above fear. Let’s walk through it piece by piece. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

I find the words of Christ to the churches in Revelation to be both convicting and encouraging. They remind us that the risen Savior knows His people intimately, He sees what is hidden from human eyes, and He calls us to live faithfully in light of the gospel. In Revelation 3:1–13, we hear His message to two very different churches; Sardis and Philadelphia. One receives a warning; the other, a commendation. Taken together, these passages confront us with the dangers of spiritual complacency and the beauty of gospel perseverance. Let’s walk through this passage carefully, asking the Lord to both awaken and encourage us. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The book of Revelation can feel intimidating, filled with vivid images, heavenly visions, and prophetic words. Yet at its heart, it is a letter from Jesus to His church. Revelation 2:12–29 records two of His messages, one to the church in Pergamum and one to the church in Thyatira. Both communities of believers faced tremendous pressure to compromise their faith. Some were tempted by false teaching, others seduced by cultural practices, and many felt the daily weariness of living faithfully in a hostile world. But in verse 25, Jesus gives a simple and powerful exhortation: “Only hold fast what you have until I come.” . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The opening chapters of the book of Revelation contain seven letters dictated by the risen Christ to seven churches in Asia Minor. These were real churches, with real people and real struggles, yet the Spirit intended their messages to echo across the centuries into the life of the global church. In each letter, Christ examines the heart of His people, commends what is commendable, warns what is dangerous, and promises eternal reward to those who endure in faith. Revelation 2:1–11 addresses two congregations, Ephesus and Smyrna. Both faced spiritual pressures, yet their challenges differed. The Ephesian church was orthodox and disciplined but spiritually drifting. The Smyrna church was persecuted and poor but spiritually rich. Taken together, these letters remind us of the deep concern Christ has for both the truth we proclaim and the love we cultivate. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Every one of us walks through seasons of grief. Sometimes it comes suddenly, like the loss of a loved one, the collapse of a dream, or the breaking apart of something we thought would stand forever. Other times, grief settles over us gradually, through the slow erosion of hope, the growing weight of discouragement, or the heaviness of living in a broken and sinful world. But Scripture assures us that the God who created us is not distant from our grief. He sees it. He feels it with us. He promises to meet us in it. The psalmist declares in Psalm 147:3: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”  (Psalm 147:3) . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.