In the Stillness Podcast

Who's Really in Control?

Pride doesn't always directly communicate arrogance. Sometimes it looks like "leadership" — until you take a closer look at intentions. As we read 3 John 1:9–10, John introduces Diotrephes — and wastes no time naming the root issue. He loved to be first. What followed was slander, control, and rigid rejection. Pride is a disease that spreads. This episode looks at what happens when someone uses authority to protect their position instead of to serve their people — and what King Jesus modeled instead. It ends with the harder question: not just who the 'Diotrephes' in your life is, but whether you might be your own... Reflection Questions: 1. Where in your life do you love to be first...and what is that need costing you or those around you? 2. Is there an area where you've confused control with leadership, or your own agenda vs. God's will? 3. When you look at your own intentions lately, what do you honestly find?

Are You Faithful With What's In Front of You?

It's easy to serve the people who can give you something back. But what does it look like to love without limits — to open your hands, your home, and your heart to people who owe you nothing? In today's episode, we're in 3 John 1:5–8, looking at an ordinary man whose faithfulness, hospitality, and love without expectation is still being talked about years later. We walk through what it means to be faithful in your specific calling, why hospitality is one of the most active & underrated ways to show love, and what it looks like to be known by your love — not your platform, opinions, or achievements. We also talk about the difference between serving to be seen and serving because you genuinely love God and His people. Reflection Questions: 1. Who are you serving right now that can give you absolutely nothing in return? 2. Are you so focused on what your faithfulness should look like that you're missing the person standing right in front of you? 3. When people walk away from time with you — do they feel like they encountered someone who genuinely loves them? Someone who pointed them toward Jesus?

What Aroma Are You Leaving?

The people around you are being impacted by something every time you walk into a room — your words, your presence, your mindset, your habits. In today’s episode, we walk through 3 John, verses 1–4, and talk about faithfully walking in truth, spiritual family, stewardship, and the connection between spiritual and physical health. We'll also talk honestly about body image, exercise, food, gratitude, renewing your mind, and learning the difference between stewarding your body and worshipping it. Everything, even the way we eat, move, and think, is meant to be done for the glory of God. Reflection Questions: 1. Are you leaving people refreshed, encouraged, and pointed toward Jesus? What "aroma" do you leave behind? 2. Are your habits rooted in stewardship & gratitude or comparison & control? 3. What would it look like for you to faithfully continue walking in truth this week?

The Danger of Self-Reliance

Our world celebrates self-sufficiency, fast decisions, and trusting yourself — but the Kingdom of God teaches dependence on Jesus. In today’s episode, we go through 2 John 1:9-11, talking about abiding in Christ, waiting on God, spiritual discernment, and the danger of slowly drifting into independence from Him. We also reflect on hospitality, serving others, and what it looks like to stay rooted in truth while still loving people well. Reflection Questions: 1. In what areas of your life have you been relying more on yourself than on God? 2. Are you truly abiding in Jesus daily, or mostly just fitting Him into parts of your life? 3. How can you grow both in discernment and in showing Christlike hospitality toward others?

Are You Trusting Jesus...or Yourself?

It’s possible to know about God's grace and still slowly drift into striving. In today’s episode, we walk through 2 John 1:8 and talk about the danger of self-reliance, performance-based Christianity, and losing sight of the true Gospel. We also unpack why believers need to continually remind themselves of the Gospel, remain rooted in truth, and resist the pressure to make faith about performance instead of Christ’s finished work. Reflection Questions: 1. Have you been relying more on your own effort than on God’s grace lately? 2. What causes you to drift into striving or performance mentally? 3. What would it look like to preach the Gospel to yourself daily? Jesus never asked us to sustain ourselves by our own strength — He calls us to abide in Him daily!