Streaking the Scriptures

Jeffery J. Downs
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Daily

Reading scripture every day will put you in the frame of mind to receive and understand what to do in your life to live with God one day. When you are Streaking scripture, you are learning, growing and progressing one small step at a time.

  1. 21h ago

    Episode 453: Isaiah 40 Isaiah Was Watching Eagles

    What can an eagle teach you about relying on the Lord? What if the ordinary things you see every day are actually teaching you something about God? And when life becomes heavy, what does it really mean to "wait upon the Lord" and have your strength renewed? In Episode 453 of Streaking the Scriptures, Jeff studies Isaiah 40 and explores one of Isaiah's most comforting promises: "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles." Drawing from a difficult season in his own life, Jeff reflects on what it means to seek the Lord when trials don't immediately disappear. Sometimes God doesn't remove the weight—but He gives us the strength to carry it. Then a familiar verse opens an unexpected line of thought. Why did Isaiah compare renewed strength to an eagle taking flight? Isaiah's writings are filled with images from the world around him—eagles, grass, flowers, mountains, valleys, shepherds, wind, and wilderness. Perhaps Isaiah wasn't simply a great prophet; he was also a remarkable observer. He noticed God's creations and learned to see within them metaphors that testified of Jesus Christ. What would happen if we learned to do the same? This episode is an invitation to pay closer attention—to the scriptures, to the world around us, and to the ways God may be teaching us through seemingly ordinary experiences. As we learn to observe, ponder, and connect what we see with the gospel of Jesus Christ, we can deepen our understanding, strengthen our faith, and discover God's hand in places we may have previously overlooked.

  2. 3d ago

    Episode 452: When God Doesn't Give You What You Want

    What does it really mean to "take hold" of the Lord's strength? What if the experiences you desperately want to escape are actually designed for your individual growth? Are you putting yourself in places where you can hear the Lord—or unintentionally removing yourself from His influence? And when you attend church, go to the temple, study the scriptures, or listen to General Conference, whose responsibility is it to make the experience meaningful? In this episode of Streaking the Scriptures, Jeff studies Isaiah 27 and 30 and discovers a powerful theme running through both chapters: the Lord knows, gathers, teaches, and strengthens His children one by one. Isaiah describes the Lord carefully tending His vineyard—watering it, protecting it, and helping it blossom and bear fruit. That imagery leads to an important question: How do we actually access the strength and protection the Lord promises? Jeff explores the simple practices that put us in a position to hear Him: studying and applying the scriptures, praying, attending church, partaking of the sacrament, worshipping in the temple, and listening with an open heart. These practices aren't simply obligations to fulfill. They place us where revelation can happen. A recent business conversation brings that principle into sharp focus. When Jeff asked someone what would make an upcoming training valuable, the person responded that the responsibility wasn't really Jeff's—it was his own. He had to arrive ready to listen, learn, and apply. Jeff realized the same principle applies to worship: What if receiving something from sacrament meeting is less about the speaker and more about how prepared we are to hear what the Lord wants to teach us? Isaiah's promise that Israel will be gathered "one by one" also leads Jeff to share a deeply personal experience from his own life—one in which disappointment, anger, and an unanswered "Why?" eventually taught him that the Lord was far more interested in his individual eternal progression than in simply giving him the opportunity he wanted. Finally, Isaiah 30 offers a warning about trusting in worldly power rather than the Lord. Across both chapters emerges a simple invitation: take hold of His strength. Put yourself where you can hear His voice. Trust that He knows you individually. And approach scripture, worship, and the coming General Conference with an open heart, ready to hear what He has to say to you.

  3. Sep 20

    Ep. 451: Isaiah 2 - 3: When Everything We Trust Begins to Crumble

    In Isaiah 2 and 3, the prophet describes two dramatically different paths. One leads upward to the mountain of the Lord, where people seek God, learn His ways, and walk in His light. The other leads downward as pride, material possessions, status, idols, and trust in human strength replace faith in God. In this episode of Streaking the Scriptures, Jeffery explores Isaiah's warning to a society that appears powerful and prosperous but has lost its spiritual foundation. Isaiah teaches that when people turn away from God, the things they depend upon for security can quickly disappear. Leadership weakens, confusion increases, and outward success cannot compensate for inward spiritual decay. Yet Isaiah's message is also filled with hope. The Lord invites us to come to His house, receive His word, and consistently walk in His light. Rather than being overwhelmed by everything happening around us, we can examine what we trust, remove the idols competing for our devotion, and build our lives upon Jesus Christ. Why Listen? What are you relying upon to feel secure—money, possessions, influence, appearance, other people, or the approval of the world? Isaiah's words feel remarkably relevant to modern life. This episode will help you recognize the subtle ways pride and misplaced trust can enter your life, while reminding you where lasting peace and stability are actually found. You will be invited to look honestly at your foundation and consider the small, consistent actions that help you walk in the light of the Lord. Listen to discover why the answer to an unstable world is not greater dependence upon the world, but greater trust in Jesus Christ.

  4. Sep 13

    Ep 450 Proverbs 15 - 16, 22, Ecclesiastes 1-3 The Conditions for Success

    What would change in our lives if we chose a soft answer instead of the perfect comeback? What if wisdom isn't just about what we know—but how we use what we know? And what does it really mean to "train up a child in the way he should go"? In this episode of Streaking the Scriptures, Jeff continues studying the practical wisdom found in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, beginning with the powerful reminder: "A soft answer turneth away wrath." From having charity in traffic to choosing our words carefully, Jeff explores how seemingly simple scriptural principles can transform everyday interactions. He considers what it means to use knowledge wisely—including recognizing when someone else's story isn't ours to tell—and why sharing our experience can sometimes be more helpful than simply giving advice. The study then moves into business, feedback, and parenting. Jeff shares how focusing on genuinely helping others rather than focusing on revenue has shaped his approach to sales, and why seeking correction and feedback is essential to growth. Finally, Jeff takes a deeper look at "Train up a child in the way he should go." Drawing from the experience of raising seven children, he explores an important distinction: training children doesn't necessarily mean choosing their path for them. Instead, it can mean giving them knowledge, sharing experience, and creating opportunities for them to make meaningful choices while they are still at home. The goal isn't to eliminate their agency, but to help them learn how to use it wisely. From our words and relationships to business and parenting, this episode demonstrates why the ancient wisdom of Proverbs remains remarkably practical today. Listen or watch and ask yourself: Where could a little more wisdom—and perhaps a softer answer—change something in my life today?

  5. Sep 10

    Ep. 449 Proverbs 3: How do you Trust?

    What does it really mean to "trust in the Lord with all thine heart"? And are we willing to follow Him when His direction doesn't make sense to us yet? In this episode of Streaking the Scriptures, Jeff studies Proverbs 3 and explores one of the most familiar—and perhaps most challenging—invitations in all of scripture: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." But what does that kind of trust look like in real life? Jeff explores trusting the Lord spiritually, financially, socially, and intellectually, sharing personal experiences—including a pivotal early-career decision when the Lord's direction seemed to lead him away from what naturally made sense. Looking back, he could see opportunities and growth that he could not possibly have seen at the beginning. The conversation also goes beyond the familiar verses in Proverbs 3:5–6 to discover how the rest of the chapter teaches us to receive correction, seek wisdom, care for others, celebrate another person's success, and live with greater charity. Why listen? Because there will be moments when you cannot see the path ahead, when God's direction may not match your own reasoning, and when you desperately want to know why before you move forward. Proverbs 3 offers a different sequence: trust first, walk forward in faith, and allow understanding to come afterward. Listen and consider one important question: Where in your life right now is the Lord asking you to trust Him more than you trust your own understanding?

  6. Sep 8

    Ep 448 Proverbs 2: The Way of Wisdom

    What does it really mean to have the Lord as your shield? How can you recognize when you are moving from a path of light toward a path of darkness? And what role do wisdom, understanding, and discretion play in keeping you firmly on the Lord's path? In this episode of Streaking the Scriptures, we study Proverbs chapter 2 and discover a beautiful promise: as we seek wisdom, treasure the commandments, and walk uprightly, the Lord becomes our buckler—our shield and protector. That doesn't mean we will be protected from every trial, heartache, or difficulty. Instead, the Lord strengthens us to carry those burdens while still experiencing joy, peace, and confidence in Him. We also explore what it means to "apply thine heart to understanding" and how becoming still can help us recognize the quiet promptings of the Holy Spirit. Through personal experiences, we consider the power of listening before speaking, developing discretion, and waiting until we truly understand before adding our voice to a conversation. Finally, Proverbs 2 offers an important warning about leaving "the paths of uprightness" for the ways of darkness. Darkness doesn't always announce itself as darkness. Sometimes it comes through flattery, distraction, or seemingly small choices that gradually pull us away from the Spirit. Wisdom and understanding help us recognize those moments and stay on—or return to—the path of righteousness. Join me as we study Proverbs 2 and discover how seeking wisdom, listening to the Spirit, and walking uprightly can help us feel the Lord's protection and recognize His hand guiding us through every circumstance of life. And as always, keep streaking the scriptures.

  7. Sep 8

    Ep 447 Proverbs 1: Slow to Answer

    Are you seeking wisdom—or simply hoping God will rescue you when you need Him? In this episode of Streaking the Scriptures, Jeff begins a journey through Proverbs with one of its foundational truths: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." But the discussion quickly moves from ancient wisdom to the very real choices we make every day—who we listen to, what influences we follow, what we pursue, and how willing we are to hear the Lord before trouble comes. Drawing from personal experiences with peer pressure, workplace relationships, the temptation to pursue financial gain, and learning to stand for personal standards while still respecting others, Jeff explores Solomon's warning: "If sinners entice thee, consent thou not." The question isn't simply whether we recognize right and wrong—it's whether we have the courage to choose wisely when the people around us are choosing differently. Then the episode turns to a fascinating spiritual question: Why is the Lord sometimes slow to answer us? Comparing Proverbs with the experience of King Limhi's people in the Book of Mormon, Jeff considers the possibility that hearing the Lord is something we strengthen through consistent practice. Scripture study, prayer, repentance, obedience, kindness, and keeping the commandments may do more than demonstrate faith—they develop our ability to recognize His voice. And perhaps that changes how we understand those seasons when heaven seems quiet. The Lord's delay may not mean He has abandoned us. His people "began to prosper by degrees." Sometimes spiritual strength, sensitivity, and deliverance come a little at a time. Listen to this episode if you want to discover how the wisdom of Proverbs can help you make better choices, resist influences that pull you away from who you want to become, and develop the spiritual strength to hear and follow the voice of the Lord.

  8. Sep 6

    Ep. 446 Psalms 110, 116-118 Fighting the Monster of Uncertainty

    What do you do when you don't know what comes next? Uncertainty about our careers, finances, families, decisions, and future can quickly turn into fear. And sometimes the hardest uncertainty comes when we look backward and wonder: What if I had made a different decision? What would my life look like today? In this episode of Streaking the Scriptures, Jeff studies Psalms 110, 116, 118, and 120 and discovers a powerful recurring message: when everything around us feels uncertain, the Lord remains certain. Jeff gets personal about decisions from his own past—including walking away from a successful business and later wondering what might have happened had he chosen differently. But Psalm 116 offers a beautiful answer to the regret and uncertainty we all experience: the Lord hears our prayers, meets us in our weakness, and can continue to guide us even after we've taken a wrong turn. Then Psalm 118 delivers the central challenge of the episode: "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." In a world where we can instantly turn to experts, authority figures, Google, or even AI for answers, Jeff asks an important question: After gathering all that information, do we still take our decision to the Lord? Using the image of hiking through a rock field where the trail temporarily disappears, Jeff explores what it means to keep moving when life's path isn't obvious. We may wander. We may choose the wrong rock. We may temporarily lose sight of the trail. But if we continue calling upon the Lord, He can lead us back to the path. If you're facing uncertainty, questioning a past decision, or trying to determine which direction to go next, this episode is for you. The path may be uncertain. The Lord is not.

See All (453)

About

Reading scripture every day will put you in the frame of mind to receive and understand what to do in your life to live with God one day. When you are Streaking scripture, you are learning, growing and progressing one small step at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Jeffery J. Downs
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    453
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (c) Streaking LLC 2023
  • Show Website
    Streaking the Scriptures