Episode 174: You Follow God...So Why Doesn't It Feel Right? (Neh. 11)

Eps. 187: 3 Hidden Ways Pride Is Affecting Your Faith | James 4:11–17

Thought to share? Send me a text... [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1719030/fan_mail/new] Have you ever wondered if pride is more than thinking too highly of yourself?  Could pride be quietly showing up every time you judge others, cling to control, or delay obedience? Pride isn't always loud or obvious. Sometimes it looks like criticizing others, confidently planning your future without seeking God, or putting off something He's already asked you to do. In James 4:11–17, we'll discover how these subtle habits can distance us from God—and how choosing humility leads to greater peace, deeper trust, and a stronger walk with Christ. * Learn the three subtle ways pride quietly influences your thoughts, relationships, and decisions.  * Discover how biblical humility changes the way you see people, approach your future, and respond to God's leading.  * Walk away with practical questions that will help you trust God more deeply and take your next faithful step with confidence.  Press play to discover how replacing pride with humility can transform the way you love others, trust God with tomorrow, and faithfully follow Him today. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday mornings. To connect with Betsy for speaking, resources, or curriculum head to https://betsymarvin.com/contact-me/ [https://betsymarvin.com/contact-me/] For access to past podcasts and transcripts, head to https://betsymarvin.com/podcasts/ [https://betsymarvin.com/podcasts/] A Christian podcast centered on Jesus, the Bible, and God explores faith through the Old Testament and New Testament, sharing Bible stories and Bible explained insights to help women of faith and Jesus followers grow in faith, strengthen their relationship with God, and know God more deeply through Bible study, women Bible study, and practical Christianity, all while encouraging spiritual growth, understanding identity in Christ, and learning to understand Bible teachings to become closer to God.

Eps. 186: What's Causing Your Spiritual Disconnection? A Christian Faith Lesson from James 4

Thought to share? Send me a text... [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1719030/fan_mail/new] Have you ever wondered if pride—not your busy schedule—is what's quietly keeping you from drawing near to God? If you've been longing for a deeper relationship with Jesus but feel spiritually disconnected, James 4 offers a powerful diagnosis. This passage reveals how pride, selfish ambition, and divided loyalties create distance between us and God—and how humility opens the door to renewed intimacy with Him. Whether you're wrestling with difficult relationships, unanswered prayers, or simply feeling spiritually dry, this episode will help you recognize what's happening beneath the surface and point you toward God's generous grace. In this episode, you'll discover: * How pride subtly shapes your prayers, relationships, and spiritual life—and why humility changes everything.  * What James really means by "friendship with the world" and how to recognize worldly thinking in everyday life.  * Five practical steps from James 4 to draw near to God and experience the promise that He will draw near to you.  If you're ready to stop striving and experience a closer walk with God through humility and His abundant grace, press play and discover the pathway James lays out for drawing near to Him. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday mornings. To connect with Betsy for speaking, resources, or curriculum head to https://betsymarvin.com/contact-me/ [https://betsymarvin.com/contact-me/] For access to past podcasts and transcripts, head to https://betsymarvin.com/podcasts/ [https://betsymarvin.com/podcasts/] A Christian podcast centered on Jesus, the Bible, and God explores faith through the Old Testament and New Testament, sharing Bible stories and Bible explained insights to help women of faith and Jesus followers grow in faith, strengthen their relationship with God, and know God more deeply through Bible study, women Bible study, and practical Christianity, all while encouraging spiritual growth, understanding identity in Christ, and learning to understand Bible teachings to become closer to God.

Eps. 185: Why More Knowledge Won't Make You Wise | James 3

Thought to share? Send me a text... [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1719030/fan_mail/new] What kind of wisdom is really shaping your life—God’s wisdom or the world’s wisdom? We live in a culture that equates wisdom with knowledge, achievement, influence, and success. As parents and believers, it’s easy to fall into comparison, competition, and the pursuit of what looks wise on the surface. But in James 3, we discover that true wisdom isn’t measured by what we know—it’s revealed by how we live. This episode explores the difference between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom and how that difference impacts our relationships, decisions, parenting, and everyday faith. By listening to this episode, you’ll discover: * How to identify whether God’s wisdom or worldly wisdom is influencing your daily decisions and responses.  * The heart qualities that reveal genuine wisdom, including humility, peace, teachability, mercy, and integrity.  * Practical encouragement for overcoming comparison and self-promotion so you can cultivate Christlike character and lasting spiritual fruit.  Listen now to learn how God’s wisdom can transform the way you think, respond, parent, and faithfully live out His Word every day. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday mornings. To connect with Betsy for speaking, resources, or curriculum head to https://betsymarvin.com/contact-me/ [https://betsymarvin.com/contact-me/] For access to past podcasts and transcripts, head to https://betsymarvin.com/podcasts/ [https://betsymarvin.com/podcasts/] A Christian podcast centered on Jesus, the Bible, and God explores faith through the Old Testament and New Testament, sharing Bible stories and Bible explained insights to help women of faith and Jesus followers grow in faith, strengthen their relationship with God, and know God more deeply through Bible study, women Bible study, and practical Christianity, all while encouraging spiritual growth, understanding identity in Christ, and learning to understand Bible teachings to become closer to God.

Eps. 184: Controlling Your Words Is a Heart Issue | James 3

Thought to share? Send me a text... [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1719030/fan_mail/new] Why do hurtful words stay with us for years while encouraging words are often forgotten? In James 3, we're reminded that our words carry incredible power. They can wound, heal, divide, encourage, destroy, or bring life. But James takes the conversation deeper—our speech doesn't just affect others, it reveals the condition of our hearts. If you've ever struggled with anger, gossip, regret over something you said, or wounds left by someone else's words, this episode offers biblical wisdom and practical encouragement for lasting transformation. *  Discover why words have such a powerful impact on identity and spiritual growth.  *  Learn what James 3 teaches about the connection between the tongue, the heart, and genuine faith.  *  Gain practical insight into how the Holy Spirit transforms our hearts so our words can reflect Christ in everyday conversations.  Listen now to learn how Jesus can transform not only the words you speak, but the heart they come from. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday mornings. To connect with Betsy for speaking, resources, or curriculum head to https://betsymarvin.com/contact-me/ [https://betsymarvin.com/contact-me/] For access to past podcasts and transcripts, head to https://betsymarvin.com/podcasts/ [https://betsymarvin.com/podcasts/] A Christian podcast centered on Jesus, the Bible, and God explores faith through the Old Testament and New Testament, sharing Bible stories and Bible explained insights to help women of faith and Jesus followers grow in faith, strengthen their relationship with God, and know God more deeply through Bible study, women Bible study, and practical Christianity, all while encouraging spiritual growth, understanding identity in Christ, and learning to understand Bible teachings to become closer to God.

Eps. 183: Faith Without Works Is Dead: Stop Walking Like Jesus Never Changed Your Life | James 2:14-26

Thought to share? Send me a text... [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1719030/fan_mail/new] What if someone followed you around for a day—would they be able to tell that your faith in Jesus is real? Many believers affirm the right things about God, attend church, and identify as Christians, yet struggle to see their faith reflected in everyday decisions, relationships, and priorities. In this episode, we explore James 2 and his challenging question: If faith has truly transformed us, shouldn't that transformation be visible in the way we live? *  Discover the difference between simply believing facts about God and possessing a living faith that transforms your life.  *  Learn why good works don't earn salvation but serve as evidence that genuine faith is already at work within you.  *  Gain practical insight into identifying areas where your actions may not yet align with what you say you believe and how to take your next step of obedience.  Listen now to learn how real faith moves beyond words and beliefs to produce a life that visibly reflects the transforming work of Jesus. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday mornings. To connect with Betsy for speaking, resources, or curriculum head to https://betsymarvin.com/contact-me/ [https://betsymarvin.com/contact-me/] For access to past podcasts and transcripts, head to https://betsymarvin.com/podcasts/ [https://betsymarvin.com/podcasts/] A Christian podcast centered on Jesus, the Bible, and God explores faith through the Old Testament and New Testament, sharing Bible stories and Bible explained insights to help women of faith and Jesus followers grow in faith, strengthen their relationship with God, and know God more deeply through Bible study, women Bible study, and practical Christianity, all while encouraging spiritual growth, understanding identity in Christ, and learning to understand Bible teachings to become closer to God.