The Resting Place Podcast

Jude - Week 1

The book of Jude challenges modern Christians to move beyond comfortable, passive faith toward active spiritual engagement. Written by Jesus' half-brother who identified himself as a bond slave rather than family member, Jude calls believers to contend earnestly for their faith. This contending requires intense effort, like an athlete training for competition. The greatest threat to today's church isn't persecution but apathy—a dangerous disengagement that differs from biblical rest. While biblical rest involves active trust and obedience, apathy leads to spiritual drift and moral compromise. Christians must find balance between legalism and license, understanding that grace transforms us rather than giving permission to sin.Support the show

The Way of the Saint - Intercession

Intercession is not a special spiritual gift reserved for certain believers, but a responsibility for all Christians as royal priests. From humanity's original design in Eden to our calling in the New Testament, we are meant to stand before God on behalf of others. True intercession involves consistently carrying people's burdens with love and endurance, not just during crises. Like the Old Testament priests who burned incense daily, we should habitually bring others before God. This practice kills pride, reframes our problems, and shares the burden of the saints. Every believer is called to stand, carry, and wait before God for others.Support the show

The Way of the Saint - Worry & Anxiety

In a world filled with uncertainty and stress, Jesus commands us not to worry about our lives. This isn't naive idealism but faith grounded in God's sovereignty over all creation. When Jesus points to birds and flowers as examples of God's care, He's teaching us that our Heavenly Father knows what we need. Worry comes when we act like orphans instead of remembering we have a Father who provides. The key is seeking first God's kingdom and trusting Him with today's faithfulness rather than tomorrow's outcomes. We can't eliminate stress, but we can renounce anxiety as our operating system through daily surrender to God's sovereign care.Support the show

The Way of the Saint - Offense

Spiritual maturity requires learning to handle offense biblically rather than allowing it to trap us in negative emotions and behaviors. Jesus warned that offenses are inevitable, but we have a choice in how we respond. The key is understanding that offense isn't just something done to us - it's a work that begins in us when we allow hurt to change who we are. Six biblical strategies help us overcome offense: overlook minor slights, stay grounded in God's Word, avoid isolation, pause before responding, refuse bitterness, and remember that our words matter. Jesus provided a clear blueprint in Matthew 18 for addressing serious offenses through direct conversation, mediation, and church involvement when necessary.Support the show

The Way of the Saint - Forgiveness

As we enter a new year, it's time to examine what we're carrying forward and what needs to be left behind. One of the heaviest burdens many Christians carry is unforgiveness. Jesus placed forgiveness at the heart of discipleship, teaching us that if we don't forgive others, our Father will not forgive us. This isn't easy to accept, but it's central to living as a new creation in Christ. We don't forgive to earn God's forgiveness - we forgive because we have already been forgiven. Radical forgiveness only seems radical when we forget the magnitude of what we've been forgiven for. This week, challenge yourself to extend forgiveness where it's not due and ask who you haven't forgiven.Support the show