Pods and Rods

Bob Marlow

5.0 (2)
Christianity
Updated Weekly

Planting Pods and Casting Rods, that's our motto. We enjoy studying The Bible and considering a different topic each episode. Our hope is to plant seeds in the hearts of the listener and cast the Word out as faithful fishers of men. And as you know, where two or more seeds gather . . . you got a pod! Add a reel and you got a podcast! Enjoy and please like, subscribe, and share with other Christians and seekers everywhere.

Jul 20

Ep 120 - What Do We Know About God Part 4 - God Is Love

"God is love," is arguably the most famous, most quoted, and most misunderstood phrase in the entire Bible. But in our modern world, have we watered down the most profound truth in the universe into a cheap, sentimental cliché? When the Apostle John wrote "God is love" in 1 John 4:8, he wasn't describing a warm, fuzzy feeling. He was describing a relentless, covenant-keeping, and fiercely sacrificial reality. In this episode of Pods and Rods, we are stripping away the cultural fluff to look at the true anatomy of divine love. Join us as we explore: Agape vs. Modern Love: We break down the stark difference between our culture's definition of love (which is often conditional and feeling-based) and biblical agape (which is an unconditional, action-oriented choice). More Than an Attribute: God doesn't just have love; He is love. We discuss the mind-bending reality that before the universe was even created, the Trinity existed in a perfect, eternal relationship of love. The Ultimate Proof: True love always carries a cost. We look at how God proved His nature by stepping directly into our mess and dying for us while we were still actively rebelling against Him. Holy Love: How does God’s love coexist with His justice, His holiness, and His jealousy? We connect the dots from our previous episodes to show why a love without truth and justice isn't actually love at all. If you have ever felt like God's affection for you is based on your performance or your ability to keep it all together, this episode is for you. Tune in to learn more about the fierce, uncompromising, and unyielding love of the Creator.
Jul 11

Ep 119 - What We Know About God Series Part 3 - The Shema

In our latest episode of Pods and Rods, we are exploring the most important declaration in the Hebrew Bible—the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4–9). When Jesus was asked to name the greatest commandment, this ancient daily prayer is exactly where He pointed. But what does this profound statement actually reveal about the character of God, and what does it demand of us today? Join us as we break down the theological weight and the practical daily application of this radical truth. In this episode, we explore the original Hebrew concept of loving God with all your heart (lev) and strength (me'od). What does it actually look like to dedicate our intellect, logic, and everyday resources to Him? God didn't design faith to be a one-hour Sunday event. We discuss how to practically weave spiritual conversations into the everyday rhythms of life—whether you are raising kids, leading a classroom, or just trying to stay focused during a busy week. If you are ready to move beyond a casual faith and understand the undivided devotion God calls us to, this episode lays the perfect groundwork. Tune in to discover how the Shema changes everything about how we live, lead, and love.
Jul 6

Ep 118 - What We Know About God Series, Part 2 - Offering Strange Fire

We love to celebrate the grace and mercy of God, but what happens when we lose our awe of His absolute holiness? In our newest episode of Pods and Rods, we are confronting one of the most intense and sobering narratives in the entire Bible: the tragedy of Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10. Just after experiencing the glory of God falling on the newly inaugurated Tabernacle, these two chosen priests stepped forward to offer "strange fire" and were immediately consumed by the very presence they were called to serve. But why such a severe and lethal response? Join us as we unpack the sobering reality of God's holiness. In this episode, we explore: Was their fatal error just a technicality, bad timing, or something more sinister and negligent on their part? How, even today, we can fall into the trap of treating the Creator of the universe like an equal rather than the All-Powerful, Sovereign King, He is. We break down what it actually means that God is a "consuming fire." The sobering reminder that those who draw near to God in leadership are held to a stricter standard of reverence. If your faith has started to feel routine or overly casual, this episode is the wake-up call you need. Tune in as we discuss what it truly means to honor God as holy and why reclaiming our reverence changes everything about how we approach Him.
Jun 27

Ep 117 - What We Know About God Series - Finding Favor

What does it take to make the Creator of the universe stop and look your way? In our world, favor is usually earned through a flawless resume, incredible talent, or climbing to the top of the ladder. But in the Kingdom of God, the metric for success is completely upside down. In this episode of Pods and Rods, we are diving into the profound mystery of Divine Favor. We’re looking at the lives of people who stood out to God—not because they were perfect, but because of the specific posture of their hearts.
Jan 19

Ep 116 - How God Responds to Our Prayer Requests

"Ask and it will be given to you." We know the verse, but we also know the reality: sometimes we ask, and the answer isn't what we hoped for. Does God have a "formula" for answering prayer? Is He our personal vending machine genie, granting us wish after wish, or is there something much deeper at work in the way He responds to His children? In this episode of Pods and Rods, we explore the mystery of God's divine response. We’re moving beyond the "power of positive thinking" to look at how God interacted with prayer requests throughout the Bible—the ones He granted, the ones He denied, and the ones He changed. Join us as we analyze the biblical "Case Files" of prayer: The "Yes": We look at the desperate cry of Hezekiah for more time and the bold request of Jabez to not be in pain. What aligned in these moments? The "No": We dive into the difficult moments when God said "No" to His most faithful servants—David’s plea for his son’s life, Moses’ request to enter the Promised Land, and Paul’s repeated prayer for the removal of his "thorn in the flesh." The Factors of Faith: What does God consider before He moves? We discuss the roles of Divine Sovereignty, God’s Timing, The Heart of the Petitioner, and the Greater Good for the one praying. Aligning Our Will: Learning the secret of Gethsemane—how to pray with passion while holding the outcome with open hands, just as Jesus did when He prayed, "Not my will, but Yours be done." Whether you’re celebrating a breakthrough or currently wrestling with a "silent" season, this episode will help you understand the character of the God who hears you. Discover why a "No" from God is often a "Yes" to something much better.
Jan 11

Ep 115 - Divine Appointments

Have you ever been in the right place at exactly the right time, meeting exactly the right person? We often call these "coincidences," but in the Kingdom of God, there is no such thing. This episode of Pods and Rods explores the concept of Divine Appointments—those supernatural moments where the Holy Spirit orchestrates the intersection of two lives for a kingdom purpose. We’re diving into the Book of Acts to look at two of the most famous "collisions" in scripture. These aren't just stories of chance; they are masterclasses in God's sovereignty and human obedience. Join us as we unpack: Philip and the Ethiopian (Acts 8): How a prompt from an angel sent an evangelist to a desert road to meet a high-ranking official searching for truth. We’ll discuss the importance of leaving the "crowd" to reach the "one." Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10): The story of two visions and one massive breakthrough. We explore how God arranged a meeting that would shatter cultural barriers and open the door of the Gospel to the entire Gentile world. The Anatomy of an Appointment: What are the common threads? Usually, it involves a prepared heart on one side and an obedient servant on the other. Recognizing Your Own "Desert Road": How can we become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s nudges in our daily lives? We’ll talk about moving from a "to-do list" mentality to a "divine-availability" mentality. God is still in the business of arranging meetings today. Whether it’s a conversation at a coffee shop or a chance encounter in a checkout line, your "coincidence" might actually be a commission. Tune in to learn how to spot and step into the divine appointments God has set for you.
Jan 3

Ep 114 - The Rapture and What Do We Know About It?

The "Rapture." It’s one of the most provocative, debated, and often misunderstood concepts in modern Christianity. For some, it’s a source of incredible hope; for others, a source of anxiety or confusion. Pop culture has given us dramatic imagery of vanishing people and driverless cars, but what does the Bible actually say about this event? In this episode, we strip away the sensationalism and complex end-times charts to go straight to the text. We are investigating the scriptural bedrock of the doctrine that believers will be suddenly "caught up" to meet the Lord in the air.
12/27/2025

Ep 113 - Testing the Spirits

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God." In an age of endless information, spiritual gurus, and "personal truths," these words from the Apostle John have never been more critical. But how do we actually do it? And what exactly are we testing for? In this episode of Pods and Rods, we tackle the vital discipline of Spiritual Discernment. We’re diving deep into 1 John 4 (and the foundational truths of Chapter 1) to understand the biblical mandate to be vigilant, not gullible, in our spiritual lives. Join us as we break down: The Litmus Test: The specific, non-negotiable standard John gives for identifying the Spirit of Truth versus the spirit of falsehood. The Taxonomy of Spirits: We explore the different types of spiritual entities mentioned in Scripture. The Fruit of the Spirit vs. The Work of the Flesh: How character and doctrine work together to reveal the source of a message or movement. Practical Discernment: How to handle modern "revelations," prophetic words, and cultural trends through the lens of the unchanging Word of God. Tune in to learn how to sharpen your "spiritual ears" and walk with confidence, knowing how to distinguish the voice of the Shepherd from the noise of the world.

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

Planting Pods and Casting Rods, that's our motto. We enjoy studying The Bible and considering a different topic each episode. Our hope is to plant seeds in the hearts of the listener and cast the Word out as faithful fishers of men. And as you know, where two or more seeds gather . . . you got a pod! Add a reel and you got a podcast! Enjoy and please like, subscribe, and share with other Christians and seekers everywhere.

Creator

Bob Marlow
Years Active

2022 - 2026
Episodes

123
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Bob Marlow
Show Website

Pods and Rods