Streaking the Scriptures

Jeffery J. Downs

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. 3d ago

    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?

  2. 4d ago

    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.

  3. 5d ago

    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.

  4. 6d ago

    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.

  5. Sep 3

    Ep. 445: Psalm 102-103 What are the Benefits?

    Have you ever felt invisible to God? Psalm 102 begins with the prayer of someone who feels overwhelmed, afflicted, and alone: "Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come unto thee." It echoes Joseph Smith's plea from Liberty Jail: "O God, where art thou?" These are prayers born in moments when we know God is there—but struggle to feel His presence. In this episode, we explore what happens when a prayer that begins in desperation gradually becomes a testimony. The Psalmist moves from describing his loneliness and suffering to declaring, "But thou, O Lord, shalt endure forever."Sometimes our circumstances haven't changed, but through prayer, our ability to see God in the middle of them does. That leads to a fascinating phrase in Psalm 103: "Forget not all his benefits." What are the actual, practical benefits of following Jesus Christ? Peace in a confusing world. Guidance when making difficult decisions. Prayer when anxiety overwhelms us. Commandments that teach us eternal laws. Covenants that give direction and purpose. And perhaps most importantly, the assurance that we are never invisible to the Lord. But there is another insight: when we feel invisible, perhaps one of the best things we can do is turn our attention outward. Who can I serve? Who can I pray for? Who can I smile at, encourage, lift, or love? Even something as ordinary as showing charity in traffic can become an opportunity to practice the pure love of Christ. If you've been struggling to feel God's presence, wondering whether He hears your prayers, or simply need a reminder of what following Jesus Christ is actually doing in your life, this study session is for you. "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."

  6. Sep 3

    Ep. 444 Exodus 14 Trusting God When the Path Forward Feels Impossible

    The children of Israel had finally escaped Egypt—but freedom quickly became frightening. With Pharaoh's army closing in and the Red Sea in front of them, they began wondering whether they would have been better off going back to the bondage they already knew. Moses responded with a powerful invitation: "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord." How often do we do the same thing? We follow the Lord, step into uncertainty, encounter adversity, and suddenly begin questioning the path that brought us there. The familiar—even when it wasn't good—can feel safer than trusting a future we cannot yet see. In this episode, we explore what it means to "hold your peace," move forward in faith, and trust that the Lord will fight for you. The Israelites witnessed the Red Sea part, yet eventually doubt returned. That pattern of seeing, believing, and then doubting can happen to us too. The question isn't whether uncertainty will return; it's what we will do when it does. Drawing connections between Moses at the Red Sea, Joseph Smith facing uncertainty, and the Lord's counsel to "look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not," we discover a practical pattern for those moments when God's hand is difficult to see: pray, study, keep moving forward, cheerfully do everything within your power—and then stand still with assurance and watch for the salvation of God. If you're facing uncertainty right now, wondering whether you're headed in the right direction, or struggling to see how the Lord could possibly make a way forward, this study session is for you.

  7. Apr 12

    Ep 443: Exodus 7-13 Hard Hearts and Humble Choices

    Questions to Consider Where in your life might you be hardening your heart instead of softening it? When you are tested, do you turn to God—or wait until the pressure is unbearable? Are you choosing humility… or being compelled into it? What small moments of pride are quietly shaping your responses to others? If you were in Pharaoh's place, would you recognize the hand of God—or resist it? Why You'll Want to Listen This episode brings the story of Moses and Pharaoh into your everyday life in a deeply personal way. It's not just about plagues and deliverance—it's about the subtle, often unnoticed ways we resist God. Through powerful real-life examples, you'll see how something as simple as a small moment of pride can reveal a much bigger spiritual pattern. You'll explore the difference between choosing humility and being forced into it—and why that distinction matters more than you might think. This conversation also reframes the role of prophets in a way that is both expansive and personal. You'll be invited to consider what it means to not only follow a prophet—but to live as a "prophet" within your own stewardship, aligned with God's will in your daily life. If you've ever wondered why growth sometimes feels like pressure, or why God allows repeated "plagues" in your life, this episode will help you see those moments not as punishment—but as invitations. Sponsor: MyStreaks-Streak Tracker App If you want to soften your heart and stay consistent in the habits that matter most, the MyStreaks-Streak Tracker Appcan help you turn intention into action. Track your daily scripture study, prayer, repentance, or acts of kindness. Even one small action each day can transform your spiritual trajectory over time. Consistency builds clarity. Clarity builds conviction. And conviction changes everything.

  8. Apr 12

    Ep. 442: From Hosanna to Crucify: When Expectations Test Our Faith

    Questions to Consider When life doesn't unfold the way you prayed it would… do you draw closer to Christ or begin to pull away? Have you ever expected immediate relief, only to discover God was offering something far greater? Are you focused on temporary solutions… or eternal deliverance? When burdens increase, do you question the path—or trust the purpose? How do you respond when the Lord asks you to step into something you don't feel ready for? Why You'll Want to Listen This episode invites you into one of the most powerful tensions in discipleship: the shift from celebration to doubt, from faith to frustration. Through the lens of Palm Sunday and the story of Moses, you'll explore a deeply personal question—which crowd am I in right now? You'll gain insight into why unmet expectations can quietly pull us away from Christ—and how an eternal perspective can anchor us instead. This isn't just a scripture study. It's a mirror. It's a moment to realign your heart, especially during Easter season, and to recognize that God's answers are often bigger than the questions we ask. You'll also walk away with renewed confidence that when the Lord calls you—whether to speak, lead, endure, or act—He will fill your mouth, strengthen your capacity, and guide you in real time. Sponsor: MyStreaks – Streak Tracker App If you're serious about turning spiritual insight into daily action, the MyStreaks – Streak Tracker App is your companion. Don't just feel inspired—act consistently. Track your daily scripture study, prayer, service, or any habit that matters most. Build momentum. Stay accountable. And watch small, intentional actions compound into lasting change. Because transformation doesn't happen in a moment—it happens in a streak.

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.