The Jesus Podcast

Our sense of identity can ebb and flow with the various seasons of life as we grow and change with our surroundings. But what if our identity could be much more stable?We kick off our new mini-series called "Jesus and the Outcasts" with the call of Simon (who you may know as Peter). Before he meets Jesus, Simon is reeling in self-doubt, self-pity, and self-hatred. Perhaps you find yourself in a similar situation today. Perhaps you feel aimless. This story is for you! Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

God’s arms are always open. When you’ve failed. When you’ve stumbled. God’s arms are still open. Wide open. Ready to embrace you. Welcome to our final parable episode. We are going to finish up the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Jarhameel took his father’s inheritance, essentially wishing that he would die. It’s an egregious insult, but the father gives him what he wants. Sometimes to show us the error of our ways, God gives us exactly what we want. It’s only then do we realize that what we needed all along was in the Father’s loving embrace. Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do we react to the sinners in our lives? Do we enable them? Do we hope for their demise? Or do we recognize that we are also sinners, face-planting through life, in desperate need of a savior? Today is part 2 of our parable finale through the story of the Prodigal Son. Last episode, we met Abiathar, the father, and Jarahmeel, the youngest son. Today we meet Amnon, the do-gooder - the good kid - the one who stuck around. While many people can relate to Jarahmeel’s unruly and wild spirit, I personally relate to Amnon. He’s done his best to do the right thing all his life. So, when he sees his younger brother squandering his father’s wealth and galavanting off into the sunset, he’s understandably bitter. What does Amnon’s story have to teach us? What is Jesus trying to communicate through him? Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How far does God’s grace go? The story of the Prodigal Son reveals the answer to that question.  Today, we are exploring the story of the Prodigal Son. This story is iconic for a reason. There are two brothers. One is a rule follower, the other is a thrill seeker. Perhaps you fall into one of these two camps. Either way, there’s a lesson for you…   Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here’s the reality: storms will come. The question is, have you invested enough time and effort to strengthen your base? This is a story of two brothers – two houses – two foundations. One house was built on the rock, and the other was built on the sand. Go to JesusPodcast.com and receive daily devotionals about Jesus.Today's Bible verse is Mark 16:6 from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve all been given gifts. We’ve been given talents, resources, and opportunities. What have you done with those gifts? Have you invested time and passion, or have you hidden them from the world? This parable is another punch to the jaw, as Jesus warns us about neglecting the gifts and opportunities entrusted to us. This story is meant to inspire us to be people of action. The Gospel requires we take risks… Are you willing to step out in faith? Today's Bible verse is Romans 8:9 from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I can be blessed by the gifts of the Spirit in your life. I can be a recipient of your kindness, love, and mercy. I can benefit from your faith… But I can’t borrow it. Today’s story is controversial. The Parable of The Ten Vigins. As we take a good look at the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1–13), we must acknowledge up front that there has been much debate as to the meaning. At least one aspect of this parable can be known with absolute certainty — The bridegroom is Jesus, and this parable describes His return. Today's Bible verse is Romans 8:9 from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nobody knows the day or the hour. Jesus could come in an instant. Will you be caught flat-footed? This parable is told in response to Peter’s question, “What will happen at the end, and what will be the sign of your coming?” Jesus tells this story to address something more important than a date or time. He tells this parable to address our hearts. What will be our posture when Jesus returns? Will we be found as faithful and effective disciples? Or, like this servant, will we be caught flat-footed, indulging in selfish desires and mistreating the people around us? Go to JesusPodcast.com and receive daily devotionals about Jesus.Today's Bible verse is Mark 16:6 from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is ‘fairness’ according to God? Does God give a certain amount of favor to those who work the longest? Does God pick favorites? If you work harder, longer, and on more things, does it mean God will give you a special reward above others? This parable is only found in the gospel of Matthew. Jesus tells this story in response to Peter’s question in Matthew 19:27: "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?" Peter wanted to know what reward would be given to those who give up everything to follow Jesus. In response, Jesus explains this truth about the kingdom of heaven. You’d expect those who worked the longest to get the largest portion. That’s how it works in a worldly economy. But when it comes to salvation, grace, and inheriting the Kingdom, Jesus weighs with a different scale.  Go to JesusPodcast.com and receive daily devotionals about Jesus.Today's Bible verse is Mark 16:6 from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve all been told money isn’t everything. Most of us would nod our heads and agree. But do we live like that’s true? Today, we delve into a story that Jesus told, not just as a parable but as a sobering reminder of the eternal consequences of our earthly choices. Join me as we examine the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, a narrative that challenges us to live lives marked by compassion, faith, and a forward-looking gaze toward eternity. Some commentators say that this isn’t a parable at all, but an actual account of two men with vastly different fates. Either way, this story is complex, and hard to wrestle with. But don’t lose heart; there’s a flicker of hope in every dark story… Go to JesusPodcast.com and receive daily devotionals about Jesus.Today's Bible verse is Mark 16:6 from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sooner or later, we all must give an account to God for what He’s entrusted to us. The question is: will we be shrewd, creative, and industrious with what we have, or will we have a lazy and unurgent attitude toward life?  This parable is often considered one of the most difficult to understand. Why? Because Jesus uses a villain as an example of what to do. The tale of the Shrewd Manager is a morally fuzzy story. But if we dig deep enough, there will be heavenly meaning for us and lessons on how to treat the resources God has entrusted to us. Go to JesusPodcast.com and receive daily devotionals about Jesus.Today's Bible verse is Mark 16:6 from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever struggled with the concept of prayer? Have you wondered if prayer actually moves the hand of God or if it’s just a religious practice to get our hearts right? Let’s dive into an often overlooked and misunderstood parable - the Persistent Widow. This is a story about a wicked judge who refuses to hear the pleas of this one widow. This story shows us the power of annoyance and pestering but also reveals a contrast to God’s character. Go to JesusPodcast.com and receive daily devotionals about Jesus.Today's Bible verse is Mark 16:6 from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is your heart ready to receive God's word? Or has it been choked out by the anxieties of life? Today’s story is simple, yet buried deep within is a message about truth, God’s word, and our hearts. It’s about a farmer who goes out into his field to sow some seeds. Not every seed falls on good soil, though. The way each soil receives the seed is different and a metaphor for our hearts. Go to JesusPodcast.com and receive daily devotionals about Jesus.Today's Bible verse is Mark 16:6 from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How important is it to forgive? How crucial is forgiveness for our faith and relationship with God?  The parable of the unforgiving servant is critical for our faith! It has foundational truths for our walk with God and how we interact with others. The way we view forgiveness reflects the way we view grace, mercy, and eternity. Go to JesusPodcast.com and receive daily devotionals about Jesus.Today's Bible verse is Mark 16:6 from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Kingdom of Heaven doesn’t care if you’re rich, poor, tall, short, introverted, or extroverted. The Kingdom of Heaven is for those who joyfully accept the invitation.  Today’s story is about a Kingdom. The King, excited to celebrate his son, invites all the nobles and merchants to come to the wedding. When they reject his offer, the King extends the invitation to others. This kind of story might seem mundane on the surface, but it was SCANDELOUS at the time. Jesus is about to blow people’s minds and reveal a revolutionary truth: you can’t be grandfathered into the kingdom of God. You have to accept the invitation and move. Go to JesusPodcast.com and receive daily devotionals about Jesus.Today's Bible verse is Mark 16:6 from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

God invites us all to partner with him. But will we be too prideful to accept the invitation? Do we want everything to ourselves?  This parable is rich in symbolism and searing in its indictment of misplaced priorities. This story about the Wicked Tenants offers a profound exploration of stewardship, rebellion, and the divine invitation to participate in the kingdom of God. Go to JesusPodcast.com and receive daily devotionals about Jesus.Today's Bible verse is Mark 16:6 from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if tomorrow isn’t promised? What if today is all you had? How seriously would you take your faith, then? This parable was told by Jesus as a warning to anyone who says, “I’ll take my faith seriously once I _______.” That sentence can be filled with a myriad of different things. “I’ll take my faith seriously when I finish college.” “I’ll take my faith seriously once I have a career.” The truth is, we don’t know when our time will come. The time we have here on this earth is precious, and what a waste it turns out to be if we take all this time pursuing material wealth over spiritual riches Go to JesusPodcast.com and receive daily devotionals about Jesus.Today's Bible verse is Mark 16:6 from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The truth is, we are all like sheep. We all have a tendency to wander and repeat our mistakes. We need guidance. We need protection. We need a Good Shepherd. This dramatized parable takes us through the cold, wintry forest where a shepherd lays it all on the line for his sheep. This story reveals the depth of God's love, and the lengths he'll go to rescue you.  Go to JesusPodcast.com and receive daily devotionals about Jesus.Today's Bible verse is Mark 16:6 from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

God is actively working against the proud and pompous. If that doesn’t force us to seek humility, I don’t know what will…  The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, as narrated by Jesus, pierces through the facade of righteousness to reveal the profound truth of God's grace. These two men live totally different lives. On the outside, the Pharisee has his whole life put together. But is that what God really desires from us? Does God need us to be perfect in every way and polished? Does he need our lofty prayers and loud acts of righteousness? Or does he simply need a humble and contrite heart? Go to JesusPodcast.com and receive daily devotionals about Jesus.Today's Bible verse is Mark 16:6 from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heroes come from unexpected places. Not from temples or towers, but off the streets and from the shadows. The Parable of the Good Samaritan communicates the upside-down kingdom of God - where the religious elite are shown as hypocrites, and the humble outcasts are shown as heroes.  Go to JesusPodcast.com and receive daily devotionals about Jesus.Today's Bible verse is Mark 16:6 from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.