Nerd of the Word Podcast Jess Carey

This is the final episode of season two! Thank you all for being here; I am so grateful for your support and time. Today, we are diving into the inevitable twists and turns of unpredictability when following God's plans. We make our plans and often want control, but God is sovereign.

Today, we learn that while we make our plans, the Lord appoints our steps. We can learn to trust God on the mountaintops and valleys. We do this well when we practice a few key ideas.



Focus Passage:

Proverbs 16:9 - In their hearts, humans plan their course,

    but the Lord establishes their steps.

Main Takeaways:




God is sovereign and in control
While our hearts and will devise plans for our lives, God, "The Master Architect," completes His divine work
We must surrender our expectations and timeline
We can cultivate gratitude even when plans change



Prayer:

Lord Jesus,

Thank you for loving us so much that you won’t give us what we cannot yet handle. Help us embrace change as we surrender our own ideas to your careful plan. Lord continue to be faithful to remain with us on the journey as we learn more and more about what it means to praise you on the mountaintops and the valleys. 

In Jesus name,

Amen


Show Notes:

Asbury Bible Commentary

Asbury Bible Commentary Copyright © 1992 by The Zondervan Corporation.

Etymology - ⁠https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h3824/kjv/wlc/0-1/⁠ Faith Spilling Over Tips to Deal with Change - ⁠https://faithspillingover.com/2018/04/10/when-god-changes-your-plan/⁠

Today we are diving into the theme of rejection. Rejection is a part of life for all of us and affects us socially, romantically, and professionally. The emotional toll of rejection has even been tied to physical pain based on neurological studies.



However, Jesus, experienced profound rejection in his life and is our guide to remain steadfast even in the face of rejection. Jesus doesn't reject us, he selects us out of the world. We can apply the truth of our focus verse to help process the pain of rejection.



Focus Passage:

John 15:18-19 - 18 If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. NIV

Main Takeaways:




Jesus was rejected and warns us that we will experience the same as we become more like Him
Just because the world rejects us doesn't mean that Jesus does
To overcome rejection we need to process the pain, practice self-care, and use biblical affirmations to remind us of our value



Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

You were rejected by those closest to you and understand the pain of rejection well. When we face rejection, please remind us that you chose us, you call us beloved, and you sent your HS to equip us in our time of need. Help us speak life-giving words over ourselves and others when we are healing from the hurt of rejection. 

In Jesus Name,

Amen 


Show Notes:

Rejection triggers physical pain area in the brain - ⁠https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14551436⁠ 

Effects of Rejection - ⁠https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/conquering-codependency/202106/4-strategies-cope-rejection⁠ 

How the 12 Apostles Died - ⁠https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1-300/whatever-happened-to-the-twelve-apostles-11629558.html⁠ 

Believer's Bible Commentary

Copyright © 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 2016 by William MacDonald.



Dr. Leslie Baker-Phelps - Bouncing Back from Rejection: Build the Resilience You Need to Get Back Up When Life Knocks You Down - ⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/1684034027⁠ 

Daily Biblical Affirmations - ⁠https://sunshynegray.com/daily-christian-affirmations/⁠ 

Do you find it easy to discuss your faith with your family and loved ones? It can be tricky, even daunting, especially if they don't openly prescribe to your beliefs. However, in today's episode, we will dive into an inspiring passage of scripture about having courageous conversations about our faith.



We are equipped and encouraged to share our personal stories about how God is working in our lives. Furthermore, we are meant to show restraint and respect so that others may see the light of Christ through us.



Focus Passage:

1 Peter 3:15 ESV - but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 

Main Takeaways:




Living a Christian life can inadvertently make others "feel bad" about their own choices
We must be consistent and steadfast in claiming our faith in Jesus
Be ready to share what God is doing in your life at all times
Always be respectful and gentle because it is through a humble spirit and attitude that others will see your transformation



Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

It can be tough to face our family and friends who don’t understand our faith. Help us to have a calm and gentle spirit even as we face persecution, skepticism, or slander. Lord, only you change hearts, minds, and attitudes. We pray for all of our family members and friends who don’t have a relationship with you, and we ask that they encounter your hope, your peace, and your spirit this season. 

In Jesus name, 

Amen



Show Notes:

When was Jesus really born? ⁠https://www.jewsforjesus.org.au/articles/when-jesus-was-really-born⁠ 

⁠https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/5-simple-tips-for-sharing-your-faith.html⁠ 

⁠https://newspring.cc/articles/evangelism-isnt-an-argument...-its-a-way-of-life⁠ 

Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament

Copyright 2004.

Welcome back, NOTW Listeners! Today's episode is a dive into the transformative power of bold prayers. Maybe your prayer life has grown flat, boring, or wimpy. Today Jess shares part of her personal experiences where prayer turned impossible situations around.

Jesus gives us some encouragement in Mark 11:22-24, where He emphasizes having faith in God, speaking to mountains without doubt, and the assurance that believing in prayer's fulfillment makes it a reality. The crucial aspects of praying with courage involve our wholehearted faith, rooted in scripture, and expecting fruitfulness in our lives.



Focus Passage:

Mark 11:22-24 

22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly[f] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 



Main Takeaways:




It takes great faith to pray with courage
We must not doubt
Jesus encourages us to pray bold prayers for fruitfulness according to God's will
Bold prayers often don't make sense to the world



Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

I pray for every listener right now that you would stir their hearts with a prayer that is beyond their ability, imagination, or resource. Place in their minds in this moment something they are afraid to ask you for. Give us a boldness to ask for big, audacious, miraculous things and help us to keep those prayers aligned to your WORD. Jesus, I rebuke and cancel the spirit of doubt at work in our minds so that we may pray with full faith. Help us in our unbelief. Let us not be content with safe, predictable prayers, we desire a courageous spirit that will believe in the unbelievable!

In Jesus Name,

Amen



https://www.crossway.org/articles/10-key-bible-verses-on-prayer/ 

Believer's Bible Commentary

Copyright © 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 2016 by William MacDonald.

Keys to Believe Big, Think Big, and Pray Big - 

https://guideposts.org/prayer/bible-resources/deepen-your-faith/3-ways-to-believe-big-think-big-and-pray-big/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhatever%20you%20ask%20for%20in,(John%2015%3A7). 

David Guzik Commentary - https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/matthew/matthew-21.cfm?a=950021 Brother Andrew Story - https://www.opendoorsuk.org/about/our-history/brother-andrew/

In Episode 8 of the Nerd of the Word podcast, we dig into the challenging topic of "Courageous Compassion" and its relevance to the parable of the Good Samaritan. Compassion is defined as "suffering together" and involves actively working to alleviate the suffering of others. Jesus tells a shocking story to illustrate what courageous compassion looks like.

The episode emphasizes that courageous compassion involves caring for and helping those who are not like us, even when it challenges the status quo or disrupts power dynamics.



Focus Passage:

Luke 10: 36-37

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”



Main Takeaways:


Jesus points out that our neighbor includes all humanity and we are commissioned to show compassion to all
When we participate in courageous compassion, we stand to break down the cultural and social barriers
Courage starts with a willingness to serve those who don't look, talk, or act like us



Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

Help us be motivated to show compassion to those around us who are suffering. Let us see them with the eyes of faith and be courageous enough to serve, heal, and resource people who we don’t always see eye to eye with. May we be fearless in our compassion as you were fearless in placing value on the outcasts of your time. Help us to be more like you every day. 

In Jesus Name,

Amen



Show Notes:



Africa Bible Commentary

Africa Bible Commentary, Tokunboh Adeyemo, General Editor. Copyright © 2006, 2010, and 2022 by ABC Editorial Board.

Compassion defined - https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/compassion/definition#:~:text=Compassion%20literally%20means%20%E2%80%9Cto%20suffer,though%20the%20concepts%20are%20related

Luke as historian - Asbury Bible Commentary

Asbury Bible Commentary Copyright © 1992 by The Zondervan Corporation.

Priests vs Levites

https://ww.bibleodyssey.org › people › main-articles › pr…

In today's episode, we discover the transformative power of authenticity. We all can struggle to be genuine, but the consequences of compromising one's identity are serious. Drawing from the biblical passage of 1 Samuel 16:7, we explore how God values the heart over appearances. Using the story of King David as an example, we uncover the benefits of authentic living. Some of these include deeper relationships, resilience against peer pressure, and the pursuit of one's true purpose. You are more interesting than your mask!



Focus Passage:

1 Samuel 16:7 

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Main Takeaways:




God doesn't consider our appearance, accolades, or accomplishments; he looks at the heart
Being true to ourselves requires us to be honest with ourselves
The more authentic we are the more likely we are to step into our divine destiny

Prayer:



Dear Jesus, 

Help us to live a life of authenticity. Help us to be true to ourselves, and who you made us to be. We know that when we have the courage to be ourselves, we experience more fulfilling lives, and stronger relationships, and we stand to impact our world in a greater way. Help us see our uniqueness as a gift to us and to others.  

In Jesus Name,

Amen



Show Notes:



Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): Old Testament

Copyright 2004.



McGee, J.V. (1982) Through the Bible with J. Vernon McGee (vol. II, Joshua-Psalms). California: Thru the Bible Radio. 

Dr. Stephen Joseph - Benefits of Authenticity https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-doesnt-kill-us/201912/why-are-authentic-people-happier